Apartment is in a borough of London, which I have been renting since July 2022, initially on an AST with a fixed period of 1 year followed by a periodic rolling element with 1 months notice. In 2025 we agreed to 2 months notice period instead of a fresh AST with a 6 months break clause.
We do not know the landlord as the AST is signed by EA as landlords. They are a big player in the UK market that sub-lets properties as part of a "guaranteed rent service" and their website states that "if ever needed, we will cover the court costs and eviction process whilst still paying you".
Yesterday I received an email from them as follows:
quote
Hi XXXXXXX,
I wanted to get in touch regarding an important procedural matter relating to your tenancy. In light of the upcoming changes under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, the landlord has been advised to take certain precautionary steps to protect their legal position.
As a result, we will shortly be issuing a Section 21 notice to you and applying for a possession order for 1, xxxxxxxx.
I want to reassure you that this is not currently being done with the intention of asking you to leave the property at this time. Instead, it is a purely procedural step to ensure the landlord’s rights are preserved, and that the tenancy remains an Assured Shorthold Tenancy ahead of the legislative changes.
You will in due course receive paperwork from the County Court as part of this process, however no action is required on your part, and we are not looking for you to leave the property.
There is no immediate action required from you, and your tenancy will continue as normal. We will, of course, keep you informed should anything change in the future.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely,
XXXXXXXX
End quote.
Today I received the "Form 6A" dated 28th April that states "You are required to leave the below address after: 30th June 2026.
If you do not leave, your landlord may apply to the court for an order under section 21(1) or (4) of the Housing Act 1988 requiring you to give up possession of 1, XXXXXXX"
Having said that it looks like the landlord wants to sell the house as I just saw it was listed for sale on their website and Rightmove since 20th Jan, and we've not been informed by EA yet. Since there were no viewings, I'm assuming there has been no interest so far, although the price is quite reasonable.
So it's a section 21 requiring me to leave after 2 months, but the email from EA says my tenancy will continue as normal...
I am wondering what is my legal position if I do nothing as per the email sent yesterday?
Secondly trying to understand what is the landlord or EA trying to do here?
I was happy that the new law would mean less stress until we found our ideal house- This last minute twist changes the picture.
What are my options?
Thanks in advance