Renters rights act /section 8 notice

marc3

Hi ,

apoligies if this has been covered before ,but trying to get clarification on the section 8 notice period :

obviously we have RRA coming imminently .

we have a tenant in a property on one year which ends in theory on 1 feb -2027.

under RRA that falls away and goes to 'rolling '.Fine .

we genuinely wish to sell the property (with regret but needs must ) .

i thought that was a 'genuine ground' under section 8 -but having read it ,it is not listed -a bit odd ,as really thought that was a 'genuine ground-maybe i just missed it .

a)can someone confirm it is a genuine ground please

b) assuming it is -can someone clarify the notice period .i think 4 months is required (kindly confirm ) but does that mean in this instance-we would have to give the 4 months notice on 1 feb 2027 and hence tenant can stay on until 1 june 2027 ,or can it be served on 1st October 2026 which gives 4 months notice that will be selling and expect tenant to move out no later than 1 feb 2027 9preferred option ).

can anyone help with absolute clarity .

thank you

anselld

After May there is a new ground 1A for selling. 4 months notice which cannot expire within the first year. Therefore you can serve notice for them to leave at the end of the year provided you give at least 4 months notice. ( can’t see why you should not give more than 4 months if you want to give additional early warning)

GrumpyDil

It's all new but given that the RRA turns all fixed term tenancies into rolling tenancies on 1st May, I would expect you to be able to give 4 months notice on 1st May.

Actually as I had a few minutes I went and checked on gov.uk. Ground 1a appears to cover this in more detail

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grounds-for-possession-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/grounds-for-possession-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents#ground-1a---sale-of-dwelling-house

saajan_12

When did the tenancy start? The leaving date must be on or after 12 months from the tenancy start date, and you must give 4 months notice. If you don't end up selling, you can't get another tenant for a period.

theartfullodger

There is nothing stopping you selling it with the tenants remaining. I bought a student let house with 4 students in place in 2006. Still letting it out.

Just go ahead. Obviously.

TroubledTarts

A lot of landlords must be considering this especially if they have only one or two properties.

We manage 15 now for parents and our own so it's more a case of enough properties to ride any storm and have a few tenants with troubles.

Of course with landlords with multiple properties not extending their portfolio and those with only a few properties leaving and again not extending their portfolio the rents are just going to rocket.