Section 21 is going: what it means for landlords
The Renters' Rights Act abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions. Here's why documented condition reports matter more than ever for landlords in Cardiff and South Wales.
The abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act is one of the biggest shifts in the private rental sector in years. For landlords, it changes how evidence works — and makes clear documentation more important, not less.
What’s changing
Section 21 previously let landlords end a tenancy without giving a reason. With it removed, landlords will need valid grounds to regain possession, and those grounds have to be evidenced.
Why records matter more now
When possession depends on demonstrable grounds — damage, breach of tenancy, rent arrears — the quality of your documentation becomes central. A dated, independent inspection report showing the property’s condition at check-in, during the tenancy, and at check-out gives you a defensible position if a dispute reaches that stage.
Without it, you’re relying on memory and undated photos, which carry far less weight.
Practical steps
Keep a consistent inspection trail: a thorough check-in report as the baseline, periodic inspections through the tenancy, and a check-out compared directly against the check-in. Independent, third-party reports are harder to challenge than a landlord’s own notes.
None of this is about catching tenants out. It’s about having an honest, documented record that protects everyone if things go wrong.