Advice on sending a section 21 to tenant please

weanie

I need to serve a no fault notice to quit on my tenants. The tenancy began in June 2014 and is now a rolling or Periodic tenancy.  I am confused by the Government website forms because of this note 'This form must be used in all cases where the AST under which the tenant originally entered into possession of the property commenced on or after 1 October 2015.' relating to the form 6A.  As this tenancy began earlier in 2014, it seems this is not the correct form but I am unable to find an alternative.  Please could anyone signpost me to the correct form?
Many thanks

theartfullodger

Why are you wanting to evict this tenant of 7+ years please?

tacpot12

You can use the form you have found. You should be using form 6A from this webpage: Assured tenancy forms - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you read the notes available for the form, it confirms that the form MUST be used if the tenancy began on or after 1st October 2015, but CAN be used for other ASTs, e.g. ones that started before 1st October 2015.  

weanie

Because I need to access the funds tied up in the house 

weanie

Thank you tacpot12 - I really appreciate that advice

grumiofoundation

weanie said:

Because I need to access the funds tied up in the house 

Have you looked into selling with tenants in situ? Although limits your markets to landlords might be an option - could enable you to sell much quicker than by waiting for vacant possession. 

JReacher1

Might be an obvious question but if they’re long staying tenants I assume they’ve been good tenants. Have you just explained the situation and asked them to leave on a certain date? 

canaldumidi

As JReacher1 says, some pre-serving communication would be nice. Has no legal effect either way but can be helpful to both sides.

Also explore the possibility of selling to the tenants, as well as offering to be flexible with regard to their notice period eg if they find somewhere else, just agree an Early Surrender rather than demand full notice from them.

As for the S21, before serving it, do check all 84 questions here:

S21 checklist (Is a S21 valid?)

Then follow tacpot12's advice above.

weanie

Thank you all for the comments and particularly the answer to the question.  The possibilities mentioned have already been explored with myself and the tenant and also an estate agent.  I have already given verbal notification. Personal circumstances  dictate that I need to sell this asset I am afraid.

theartfullodger

Verbal notice is of no legal standing, tenant can happily ignore it.

When are you planning on issuing this simple form, please?

weanie

Thank you 'theartfuldodger' - the verbal was courtesy but the form will be sent next week and gives almost three months notice