Housing Act 1988: Primary legislation governing residential tenancies in England and Wales, particularly Section 21 which allows landlords to regain possession without stating a reason
Housing Act 1996: Additional legislation that modified the 1988 Act and introduced new provisions for tenancy management and deposit protection
Deregulation Act 2015: Introduced additional requirements for Section 21 notices including restrictions on retaliatory eviction and requirements for EPCs, gas safety certificates, and How to Rent guide
Tenant Fees Act 2019: Legislation governing permissible fees and charges in residential tenancies, affecting the validity of Section 21 notices
Coronavirus Act 2020: Emergency legislation that temporarily modified notice periods and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic
Notice Period Requirement: Minimum 2 months' notice must be given for Section 21 notices
Deposit Protection: Tenancy deposit must be protected in an approved scheme and prescribed information provided to tenant for notice to be valid
Property Licensing: Any required HMO or selective licensing must be in place for the property
EPC Requirement: Valid Energy Performance Certificate must have been provided to tenant
Gas Safety Requirement: Valid Gas Safety Certificate must have been provided to tenant before occupation
How to Rent Guide: Current version of the government's How to Rent guide must have been provided to tenant
Retaliatory Eviction Protection: Restrictions on serving notice if tenant has made complaints about property conditions
Four Month Rule: Section 21 notice cannot be served within first 4 months of the original tenancy
Six Month Validity: Section 21 notice expires if possession proceedings not commenced within 6 months of service
Prescribed Form: Notice must be in the current prescribed Form 6A format
