Guides › Rent and Deposits › Landlord Wants to Sell or Move In: Your Rights
Landlord Wants to Sell or Move in: Your Rights
A landlord in England can seek possession because they want to sell or move in themselves, but only with a section 8 notice and a court order. They cannot use these grounds in the first 12 months of a tenancy and must usually give 4 months' notice. After using the ground they cannot market or re-let the home for 12 months.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Moving in and Selling
Notice and Timing
Ground 1 (landlord or family moving in) and Ground 1A (landlord selling) need 4 months' notice and cannot be used in the first 12 months of a tenancy. After using either ground, the landlord cannot market or re-let the property for 12 months. source
Deposit and Registration
Landlords who have not protected the deposit or registered on the PRS Database cannot gain possession, except under the anti-social behaviour grounds. They can fix the problem to become eligible again. source
If A Landlord Misuses It
Rent Repayment Orders
New offences cover knowingly or recklessly misusing a possession ground and breaching letting or marketing restrictions. The maximum repayable under a rent repayment order doubles from 12 to 24 months' rent and the time limit to apply extends from 12 to 24 months. source
Court
The landlord must prove the ground in court. If you do not leave they can apply for a possession order, and you can explain at a hearing why you disagree. Free advice is available through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 4 monthsNotice for selling or moving inSection 8, grounds 1 and 1A
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check the notice: which ground, the leave-by date and whether it is your first 12 months.
Step 2 of 5
Check your deposit is protected.
Step 3 of 5
Get free advice from Shelter, Citizens Advice or the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service.
Step 4 of 5
Keep the notice, your rent record and any messages.
Step 5 of 5
If the home is re-let or advertised within 12 months, tell the council and ask about a rent repayment order.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
The dates and amounts come from the government guide to the Renters' Rights Act; check the current GOV.UK page for any change.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules for renting.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 14 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act Checked 14 October 2026
- assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69bc04b8f7b1c24d8e23ce60/The_Renters__Rights_Act_Information_Sheet_2026.pdf Checked 14 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026