Free Section 21 Template UK – Complete Form 6A Download Guide 2025

Need a free Section 21 template UK that’s legally compliant and ready to use? You’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide provides a downloadable Section 21 notice template (Form 6A) along with everything you need to know about serving no-fault eviction notices in England. Whether you’re dealing with the end of a tenancy or need to regain possession of your property, our free template ensures you meet all legal requirements.

Section 21 notices can be complex, with strict legal requirements that can invalidate your notice if not followed correctly. Our free Section 21 template includes all the prescribed information required by law and comes with step-by-step guidance to ensure you serve it properly. Download your free template now and protect your property investment with confidence.

What is a Section 21 Notice?

A Section 21 notice is a legal document that allows landlords in England to evict tenants without providing a specific reason – this is why it’s commonly called a “no-fault eviction.” Under the Housing Act 1988, Section 21 gives landlords the right to regain possession of their property from assured shorthold tenants.

Key Features of Section 21 Notices:

The beauty of Section 21 is its simplicity – you don’t need to prove any wrongdoing by your tenant. Whether you want to sell the property, move back in yourself, or simply don’t want to renew the tenancy, Section 21 provides a straightforward route to regain possession.

This notice applies specifically to assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), which covers the majority of private rental agreements in England. You can use Section 21 to end both fixed-term tenancies (after the initial period expires) and periodic tenancies that roll on month-to-month.

No-Fault Eviction Explained

“No-fault eviction” means exactly what it says – the tenant doesn’t have to have done anything wrong. You don’t need to prove rent arrears, property damage, or any breach of the tenancy agreement. As long as you follow the correct legal process and give proper notice, you can regain possession purely because you want your property back.

This makes Section 21 particularly useful for landlords who need flexibility in their property portfolio or are planning to sell their investment properties.

When You CANNOT Use Section 21

Before downloading our free Section 21 template, it’s crucial to understand when this notice cannot be used. Using Section 21 incorrectly can invalidate your notice and cost you months of delays.

Geographic Restrictions

Section 21 only works in England. If your property is in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, you need different procedures:

Wales: Use Section 173 Notice under Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
Scotland: Use Notice to Leave under Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016
Northern Ireland: Follow local housing legislation

Timing Restrictions

You cannot serve Section 21 if:

Less than 4 months have passed since the tenancy started
The fixed term hasn’t ended yet (though you can serve it before the end date)
You’re still within the initial fixed-term period

Property Licensing Issues

HMO Properties: If your property needs a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) license and you don’t have one, Section 21 won’t work. Check with your local council about HMO licensing requirements.

Deposit Protection Problems

This is the biggest reason Section 21 notices fail:

Tenant’s deposit must be in an approved protection scheme
You must have protected it within 30 days of receiving it
You must have given the tenant prescribed information about the protection
This applies to any tenancy where you took a deposit, regardless of amount

Local Authority Actions

You cannot use Section 21 for 6 months after:

Council serves an improvement notice on your property
Council serves an emergency work notice
You receive certain other enforcement notices

Tenant Fees Act Compliance

If you charged any unlawful fees or deposits under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, you must repay these before Section 21 becomes valid.

Free Section 21 Template Download

Here’s your free Section 21 template (Form 6A) that includes all required prescribed information and meets current legal standards:

DOWNLOAD: Free Section 21 Template (Form 6A)

NOTICE REQUIRING POSSESSION OF A PROPERTY LET ON AN
ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCY

Housing Act 1988 Section 21(1)(b) or Section 21(4)(a)

TO: ________________________________________________
    [Full name(s) of all tenants]

OF: ________________________________________________
    [Complete property address including postcode]

FROM: ______________________________________________
      [Your full name and address as landlord]

Date of this notice: ________________________________

NOTICE REQUIRING POSSESSION

I give you notice that I require possession of the above property after:

________________________________________________
[Date - must be at least 2 months from when tenant receives this notice]

This notice is given under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

PRESCRIBED INFORMATION FOR TENANTS:

1. LANDLORD DETAILS:
   Name: ___________________________________________
   Address: _______________________________________
   Telephone: ____________________________________
   Email: ________________________________________

2. LETTING AGENT DETAILS (if applicable):
   Name: ___________________________________________
   Address: _______________________________________
   Telephone: ____________________________________

3. SERVICE ADDRESS for notices:
   _______________________________________________
   [Address in England/Wales where tenant can serve notices on you]

4. DEPOSIT INFORMATION:
   Amount: £_______________________________________
   Date received: _________________________________
   Protection scheme: _____________________________
   Scheme contact: ________________________________

5. DEPOSIT PROTECTION DETAILS:
   Your deposit is protected under: ________________
   Scheme address: ________________________________
   Scheme phone: __________________________________
   Certificate number: ___________________________

6. CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE DEPOSIT MAY BE RETAINED:
   ☐ Unpaid rent or charges
   ☐ Damage beyond normal wear and tear  
   ☐ Missing items from inventory
   ☐ Cleaning costs
   ☐ Other tenancy breaches

7. LOCAL AUTHORITY INFORMATION:
   Council name: ___________________________________
   Council address: _______________________________
   Housing advice contact: ________________________

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TENANTS:

• You have the right to remain in the property until a court makes an order for possession
• Free housing advice is available from Shelter (shelter.org.uk) or Citizens Advice
• You may be entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to help with rent
• Contact your local authority if you need help finding alternative accommodation
• If you think this notice is invalid, seek legal advice immediately

LANDLORD'S DECLARATION:

I confirm that (tick all that apply):
☐ The deposit is protected in an approved scheme
☐ Prescribed information has been given to the tenant
☐ Current Energy Performance Certificate provided
☐ Current Gas Safety Certificate provided (if gas appliances present)
☐ "How to Rent" guide provided
☐ No improvement notices served by council in last 6 months
☐ Any unlawful fees have been repaid

Signed: ________________________________________

Date: __________________________________________

Print name: ____________________________________

What to Include in Your Section 21 Notice

When completing our free Section 21 template, ensure you include all the following information accurately:

Essential Details Required:

Your details: Full name and contact information as landlord
Tenant details: All tenant names exactly as they appear in the tenancy agreement
Property address: Complete address including postcode
Notice date: The date you’re serving the notice
Possession date: At least 2 months from when tenant receives notice
Your signature: Must be signed and dated

Prescribed Information Requirements:

The law requires specific information to be included:

Deposit protection details: Scheme name, contact details, certificate numbers
Local authority information: Council name and housing advice contacts
Service address: Where tenants can send legal notices to you
Deposit retention circumstances: When you might keep some/all deposit

Compliance Checklist:

Before serving your Section 21 notice, confirm:

Deposit protected within 30 days
Prescribed information given to tenant
Energy Performance Certificate provided
Gas Safety Certificate provided (if applicable)
“How to Rent” guide given to tenant
Any unlawful fees repaid
No council enforcement notices in last 6 months

How to Serve Your Section 21 Notice Properly

Using our free Section 21 template is only half the battle – you must serve it correctly to ensure it’s legally valid.

Acceptable Service Methods:

Hand delivery: Give it directly to the tenant (best evidence)
Post to property: Through the letterbox at the rental property
Recorded delivery: To tenant’s last known address
Email: Only if tenancy agreement specifically allows this

Notice Period Requirements:

Minimum 2 months notice required
Notice period starts the day after the tenant receives it
Cannot expire before any fixed term ends
For periodic tenancies: must expire at end of a rental period

Keeping Evidence of Service:

Always keep proof that you served the notice:

Take photos when posting through letterbox
Keep recorded delivery receipts
Use witnesses for hand delivery
Save email delivery receipts
Note exact time and date of service

Notice Period Examples:

Serve on 1st January → Earliest possession date: 1st March
Serve on 15th February → Earliest possession date: 15th April
For monthly tenancies: ensure possession date aligns with rent payment dates

Section 21 Template FAQs

Will Section 21 Be Abolished?

The government has announced plans to abolish Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, but no date has been set. Until new legislation comes into force, Section 21 remains completely legal and enforceable. We’ll update our free template as soon as any changes take effect.

What’s the Difference Between Section 21 and Section 8?

Section 21: No-fault eviction, no reason needed, 2 months notice minimum
Section 8: Fault-based eviction, must prove specific grounds (rent arrears, breach of tenancy, etc.), notice periods vary

How Long is a Section 21 Notice Valid?

Once the notice period expires, you have 6 months to start court proceedings. If you don’t apply to court within 6 months, you’ll need to serve a fresh Section 21 notice.

What Makes a Section 21 Notice Invalid?

Common reasons for invalid notices:

Deposit not protected properly
Required documents not provided (EPC, Gas Safety, How to Rent guide)
Served too early (within first 4 months)
Incorrect tenant names or property address
Insufficient notice period
Council improvement notices in last 6 months

Can Tenants Challenge Section 21?

Yes, tenants can challenge Section 21 notices if:

Legal requirements weren’t met
Notice contains errors
Landlord failed to protect deposit properly
Required documents weren’t provided

What Happens After Section 21 Expires?

If tenants don’t leave after the notice expires:

Apply to court for possession order
Attend court hearing
If granted, bailiffs can enforce eviction
Process typically takes 2-4 additional months

Download Your Free Section 21 Template Now

Don’t risk using outdated or incorrect Section 21 forms that could invalidate your notice and cost you months of delays. Our free Section 21 template includes:

• Current legal requirements for 2025 • All prescribed information required by law
• Step-by-step completion guide • Service instructions and best practices • Compliance checklist to avoid common mistakes

Available formats:

PDF: Ready to print and complete by hand
Word Document: Editable template for multiple uses
Online Form: Complete and download instantly

Get Your Free Section 21 Template:

[DOWNLOAD PDF] | [DOWNLOAD WORD] | [COMPLETE ONLINE]

Important Legal Disclaimer

This free Section 21 template is provided for guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Property law can be complex, and individual circumstances vary. We recommend seeking professional legal advice for:

Complex tenancy situations
High-value properties
Vulnerable tenants
Disputed cases
Any uncertainty about legal requirements

Always ensure you’re complying with current legislation and consider professional property management or legal services for complex situations.

Ready to regain possession of your property? Download our free Section 21 template now and follow our step-by-step guide to serve a legally compliant no-fault eviction notice in England.