Section 21 ends on 1 May 2026. Every Sheffield landlord must use Section 8 for any possession claim. The change has particular implications for the academic-year cycle in the student belt (Crookesmoor, Broomhall, Endcliffe, Crookes, Walkley).
1 May 2026
Section 21 abolished
~60,000
Sheffield students
17
Section 8 grounds available
Ground 4A
New mandatory student ground
Section 21 cannot be served for any AST in England. All existing ASTs become assured periodic by operation of law. Possession claims must use a specified Section 8 ground.
Sheffield's student market is concentrated in Crookesmoor, Broomhall, Endcliffe, Crookes, Walkley, and parts of Sharrow. Ground 4A is the new route for student turnover: mandatory, four months' notice, full-time students, prior-year student letting, intent to re-let. Switching a Crookesmoor HMO to non-students for one year loses Ground 4A.
Selling: Ground 1A (mandatory, four months). Moving in family: Ground 1 (mandatory, four months). Student turnover: Ground 4A (mandatory, four months). Serious arrears: Ground 8 (mandatory, two weeks). Persistent late payment: Ground 11 (discretionary). Anti-social behaviour: Ground 14 (discretionary, immediate). Tenancy breach: Ground 12 (discretionary, two weeks).
Possession claims for Sheffield properties go through Sheffield Combined Court Centre. Plan for four to six months end-to-end in clean cases. Review every tenancy and identify likely grounds; for student HMOs confirm Ground 4A; issue pending Section 21s before 1 May 2026; update tenancy templates; build evidence files; register on PRS Database when the voluntary window opens.
Possession claims for Sheffield properties go through Sheffield Combined Court Centre. The court does not advise on Section 8 ground selection.
No. Section 21 cannot be served after 1 May 2026. Use Ground 4A and serve well ahead of the four-month notice period.
Ground 1A. Mandatory, four months' notice. Owned 12 months, genuine sale intent.
No. HMO licences continue unchanged.
Void. Restart with a Section 8 notice on a valid ground.
Plan for four to six months end-to-end in clean cases.
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