Eviction Help | Section 8 and Housing Law Support

Eviction help.Know your rights before it is too late.

Received a Section 8 notice or facing possession proceedings? Eugene Pienaar provides direct legal consultancy on your housing rights under the Renters Rights Act 2025 and the new Section 8 rules from May 2026.

verifiedNon-practising solicitor updateRenters Rights Act 2025 specialist verifiedTenants and landlords

Legal consultancy for tenants and landlords

Section 21 is abolished. The rules have changed fundamentally. Whether you are a tenant facing eviction or a landlord navigating Section 8, Eugene can advise on your position under the new law.

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Legal Consultancy — Tenants

Direct advice on your position as a tenant facing a Section 8 notice or possession proceedings under the Renters Rights Act 2025.

arrow_rightSection 8 notice validity check
arrow_rightGround 8 rent arrears defence advice
arrow_rightRent increase tribunal challenge
arrow_rightPossession hearing defence strategy
arrow_rightRenters Rights Act rights explained

From 95 per hour. Free 20-min call.

Book a Free Call

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Legal Consultancy — Landlords

Advice on serving Section 8 notices correctly under the new 2026 rules, the new mandatory and discretionary grounds, and navigating possession proceedings.

arrow_rightSection 8 notice drafting and review
arrow_rightGround selection strategy
arrow_rightPossession proceedings advice
arrow_rightGround 1A sale of property
arrow_rightRenters Rights Act compliance

From 95 per hour. Free 20-min call.

Book a Free Call

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Court Support

McKenzie Friend attendance at possession hearings and rent increase tribunal hearings. Pre-hearing preparation and strategy from a legally trained professional.

arrow_rightPossession hearing attendance
arrow_rightFirst-tier Tribunal (rent increase)
arrow_rightPre-hearing document review
arrow_rightStrategy and preparation session

Half day from 250. Full day from 450.

Enquire About Court Support

updateMajor law change — May 2026

Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished from 1 May 2026 under the Renters Rights Act 2025. All possession proceedings now require a valid Section 8 notice served on the correct ground. Both tenants and landlords need to understand these changes urgently.

Eviction and housing law — what has changed

The Renters Rights Act 2025 fundamentally changed the balance of power between landlords and tenants in England and Wales. The most significant change is the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions. From 1 May 2026, landlords can only recover possession through the Section 8 procedure using specified grounds.

Section 8 notices — the new rules

Section 8 notices must now comply with the updated rules introduced by the Renters Rights Act. The grounds have been revised, notice periods have changed, and procedural requirements are stricter. A Section 8 notice that does not comply with the new rules is invalid and the court will not grant possession on the basis of it.

If you are a tenant and you receive a Section 8 notice, the first thing to check is whether the notice is valid. Eugene can review any Section 8 notice you receive and advise on whether it complies with the current rules.

Ground 8 rent arrears

Ground 8 is the mandatory ground for rent arrears — if proven, the court must grant possession. Under the new rules the threshold has changed. Eugene can advise tenants on how to reduce arrears below the threshold before the hearing date, and landlords on how to prove arrears correctly.

Challenging a rent increase

Under the Renters Rights Act, landlords can only increase rent by following a specific procedure. Tenants who believe an increase is above market rate can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal. Eugene can advise on whether a challenge is viable and represent you at the tribunal as a McKenzie Friend.

Landlord guidance — avoiding invalid notices

Many landlords are serving invalid Section 8 notices in 2026 because they are using old forms or old procedures. An invalid notice means restarting the process from scratch — adding months to the timeline. Eugene can review your notice before you serve it and confirm it complies with the current rules.

Eviction and housing — questions we are asked every week

Section 21 has been abolished — what does that mean for me as a tenant?expand_more

From 1 May 2026, landlords cannot evict you using a Section 21 no-fault notice. They must use the Section 8 procedure and rely on one of the specified grounds for possession — such as rent arrears, breach of tenancy or wanting to sell the property. This gives tenants significantly more security of tenure, but landlords still have routes to possession if they follow the correct procedure.

I have received a Section 8 notice — what do I do?expand_more

First, check whether the notice is valid — the form, the ground cited, the notice period and whether the procedure has been followed correctly under the 2026 rules. An invalid notice cannot be relied upon in court. Second, if the ground is rent arrears, check whether you can reduce the arrears below the threshold before the notice expires. Third, do not ignore the notice — contact us for advice immediately.

Can my landlord still evict me if I have rent arrears?expand_more

Yes. Ground 8 remains a mandatory ground for possession — if rent arrears exceed the threshold at both the date of the notice and the date of the hearing, the court must grant possession. However, if you can reduce the arrears below the threshold before the hearing, the ground fails. Eugene can advise on the exact threshold and your options.

My landlord has increased the rent — can I challenge it?expand_more

Under the Renters Rights Act, rent increases must follow a specific procedure and can be challenged at the First-tier Tribunal if you believe the proposed rent is above the market rate. The tribunal can only reduce the rent to the market rate — it cannot reduce it below. Applications must be made within a specific timeframe. Eugene can advise on whether a challenge is viable and what evidence you need.