I got a Section 21 notice — what happens now?

The first thing to check is the date the notice was served. Everything depends on this.

If it was served on or after 1 May 2026, it is not valid. Section 21 was abolished on that date. Your landlord cannot use it anymore. You do not have to leave.

If it was served before 1 May 2026, it may still be active. Your landlord has until 31 July 2026 to apply to a court for a possession order. If they miss that deadline, the notice expires and becomes worthless. Even with a valid notice, you do not have to leave until a court grants a possession order and bailiffs are authorised.

There are also things that can make even a pre-May 2026 notice invalid: your deposit not being protected in a government scheme; your landlord not providing a gas safety certificate or EPC; the notice being on the wrong form (must be Form 6A). Any of these flaws can be used to challenge it.

Do not assume you must leave. Get the notice checked for free at shelter.org.uk or citizensadvice.org.uk before you do anything.