Know Your Tenant Rights - Free UK Legal Letter Generator

Law update · 1 May 2026

Section 21 no-fault evictions were abolished on 1 May 2026 by the Renters' Rights Act 2024. Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) were converted to assured periodic tenancies. Landlords must now use section 8 with a specific ground to end a tenancy. Some material on this page describes the pre-1 May 2026 position and is preserved for anyone still working through a case that started before then.

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How It Works

1

Describe Your Issue

Tell us what happened - deposit dispute, disrepair, illegal eviction, unfair fees, section 8 eviction defence, or a rent-increase challenge.

2

AI Generates Your Letter

Our AI writes a professional legal letter citing the relevant housing law, grounded in UK legislation.

3

Send & Track

Download, edit if needed, send via email or post, and track your landlord's response.

Grounded in UK Housing Law

Housing Act 1988 & 2004 Tenancy rights, deposit protection, landlord obligations
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Repairing obligations, disrepair claims
Tenant Fees Act 2019 Illegal fees, rent increases, deposit limits
Renters' Rights Act 2024 (in force 1 May 2026) Abolished section 21 no-fault evictions. Converted assured shorthold tenancies to assured periodic tenancies. Staged landlord ombudsman and Decent Homes Standard.
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 Habitability standards, landlord liability

What You Can Fight

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Deposit Disputes

Landlord not returning your deposit, unfair deductions, or deposits held in unprotected schemes.

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Disrepair Claims

Mould, broken heating, damp, structural damage, or anything making the property unliveable.

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Illegal Eviction

Landlord trying to evict without proper legal process, without a valid section 8 ground, or without a court order.

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Section 8 Eviction Defence

Landlord serving a section 8 notice? Since 1 May 2026 this is the only route to end an assured periodic tenancy. Challenge weak grounds, deposit-protection breaches, or invalid notice format.

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Section 8 Challenges

Ground for eviction doesn't apply? Challenge the Section 8 notice in court.

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Unfair Fees

Illegal letting agent fees, admin charges, or deposit-holding fees that breach the Tenant Fees Act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord evict me without a section 8 notice and court order? −
No. In England and Wales, your landlord must follow one of two formal legal processes:

Section 21 no-fault eviction was abolished on 1 May 2026 by the Renters' Rights Act 2024. Any section 21 notice dated on or after that day has no legal effect. Section 21 notices served before that day and still in court are judged on the pre-abolition rules (2 months' notice, deposit protection, gas safety, EPC, prescribed information).

Section 8 (fault-based) requires proof of grounds (e.g. rent arrears, antisocial behaviour) and between 2-3 months' notice depending on the ground.

Any other eviction method is illegal and may expose your landlord to liability for illegal eviction.
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit? +
Your deposit must be returned within 10 days of the end of the tenancy (or within 10 days of the deposit being returned to the landlord if held by a third party agent, minus any agreed deductions).

If your deposit has not been returned after 30 days, it is likely the landlord is in breach. You can claim up to 3× the deposit amount in the small claims court.

Importantly, your deposit must be held in a government-approved scheme and you must receive prescribed information (the prescribed information notice). Without this, your landlord is in breach and you can claim the return of the deposit plus compensation.
What counts as a disrepair issue I can claim for? +
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord has a legal duty to keep the property in good repair. This includes:

• Mould, damp, or condensation issues
• Broken or inadequate heating
• Leaking roofs, windows, or pipes
• Electrical safety issues
• Broken doors, locks, or windows
• Problems with stairs or railings

Under the Homes Act 2018, the property must be "fit for human habitation." If it isn't, you can claim for the breach. You can claim rent reduction, repairs paid for out of pocket, or move out and claim damages.
What if I have a pre-1 May 2026 Section 21 notice that seems invalid? +
A Section 21 notice is invalid if:

• It doesn't include the prescribed information (your deposit scheme details, how to retrieve your deposit, prescribed information notice)
• It is not on the correct form (Form 6A for assured shorthold tenancies from October 2015 onwards)
• It has the wrong tenant name or address
• It doesn't give 2 months' notice
• The tenancy doesn't end on the first or last day of a rent payment period

If your Section 21 is invalid, you can stay in the property and the eviction cannot proceed. TenantShield helps you identify and challenge invalid notices.
How much compensation can I claim for an illegal fee or deposit deduction? +
Illegal fees (Tenant Fees Act 2019): Your landlord or agent cannot charge admin fees, referencing fees, or renewal fees. If they did, you can claim the full amount back plus compensation up to 3 months' rent.

Unfair deposit deductions: Landlords can only deduct for damage beyond fair wear and tear, or unpaid rent. If deductions are unfair, you can claim the full deducted amount back. With no prescribed information, you can claim up to 3× the deposit.

Unprotected deposits: If your deposit wasn't held in a government-approved scheme, you can claim up to 3× the deposit amount in compensation.
How does TenantShield protect my data? +
We take privacy seriously. Your tenancy information and generated letters are encrypted and stored securely. We never share your data with third parties or use it for marketing. Letters are yours alone - generate, download, and send them directly to your landlord. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

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