Question 1

What is a Section 21 notice?

Accepted Answer

A Section 21 notice was a "no-fault" eviction notice used in England to end an assured shorthold tenancy without giving a reason. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, though transitional rules apply to notices served before that date.

Question 2

How long do I have to leave after a Section 21 notice?

Accepted Answer

A Section 21 notice must give you at least two months' written notice. In most cases, you do not have to leave until a court grants a possession order and it is enforced by a bailiff — but your specific circumstances may affect this.

Question 3

Is Section 21 being abolished in England?

Accepted Answer

Section 21 "no-fault" evictions were abolished in England on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlords can no longer serve new Section 21 notices. Transitional rules apply to notices served before that date.

Question 4

What is a Section 8 notice?

Accepted Answer

A Section 8 notice is a formal eviction notice served under the Housing Act 1988 when a tenant has breached their tenancy agreement. Unlike Section 21, the landlord must cite specific legal grounds for possession.

Question 5

How long does a landlord have to fix repairs?

Accepted Answer

There is no single fixed statutory deadline, but landlords must carry out repairs within a "reasonable" timeframe. Emergency repairs affecting health or safety — such as no heating in winter — should be addressed within 24–48 hours.

Question 6

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

Accepted Answer

No. During a fixed-term tenancy your rent can generally only be increased if there is a rent review clause in your agreement. After it becomes periodic, your landlord must follow a formal process and give proper notice. Rules on rent increases are also changing under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Question 7

How long does a landlord have to protect a deposit?

Accepted Answer

A landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it and provide you with the prescribed information within the same period.

Question 8

Can a landlord evict without going to court?

Accepted Answer

No. In England, a landlord must obtain a court possession order before they can lawfully remove a tenant. Attempting to evict a tenant without a court order is unlawful eviction, which is a criminal offence.

Question 9

What is an assured shorthold tenancy?

Accepted Answer

An assured shorthold tenancy (AST) is the most common form of private residential tenancy in England. It gives tenants significant statutory rights and sets the framework governing how landlords can end the tenancy.

Question 10

What repairs is a landlord legally responsible for?

Accepted Answer

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords are responsible for the structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water, gas and electrical installations, and ensuring the property is fit to live in.

Question 11

What is a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment?

Accepted Answer

The right to quiet enjoyment is an implied term in every tenancy agreement in England. It means your landlord must not interfere with your lawful use and enjoyment of the property without proper notice and consent.

Question 12

Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone with pets?

Accepted Answer

Landlords can include a blanket no-pets clause in a tenancy agreement, but the government's model tenancy agreement encourages landlords to consider pet requests fairly. Under proposed law, blanket bans may become harder to enforce.

Question 13

How does the eviction process work in England?

Accepted Answer

Eviction in England requires the landlord to serve a valid notice, wait for it to expire, apply to court for a possession order if the tenant remains, and then enforce the order through court-appointed bailiffs.

Question 14

Can a landlord keep my deposit for damage?

Accepted Answer

A landlord can make deductions from your deposit for damage beyond fair wear and tear, unpaid rent, or cleaning costs — but cannot charge for normal deterioration due to ordinary use.

Question 15

What should I do if I am unlawfully evicted?

Accepted Answer

If you are unlawfully evicted, you should contact your local council's housing department immediately, seek legal advice, and apply to the County Court for an urgent injunction to be reinstated to the property.

Question 16

What is an HMO and what are the licensing rules?

Accepted Answer

An HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is a property rented by three or more people from different households who share facilities. Larger HMOs require a mandatory licence from the local council. This guidance applies to England.

Question 17

What happens to my tenancy if my landlord dies?

Accepted Answer

If your landlord dies, your tenancy does not end automatically. The tenancy passes to the landlord's estate and is managed by their personal representative or, ultimately, beneficiaries under the will or intestacy rules.

Question 18

What are the government-approved deposit protection schemes?

Accepted Answer

There are three government-approved tenancy deposit protection schemes in England: the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). All landlords must use one of these.

Question 19

What are the rules for a notice to quit?

Accepted Answer

A notice to quit may be used to bring certain periodic tenancies to an end, but the rules vary significantly depending on the tenancy type, whether the occupier is a tenant or licensee, and applicable statute. This guidance applies to England.

Question 20

What terms must be in a tenancy agreement?

Accepted Answer

While some tenancy terms are implied by law, a written tenancy agreement should as a minimum identify the parties, the property, the rent amount and payment date, the tenancy start date, and the notice provisions. This guidance applies to England.

Question 21

What is unfair dismissal?

Accepted Answer

Unfair dismissal is when an employer terminates an employee's employment without a fair reason or without following a fair procedure. Employees with at least two years of qualifying service can bring a claim at an employment tribunal. This guidance applies to Great Britain.

Question 22

How much compensation can I get for unfair dismissal?

Accepted Answer

An unfair dismissal award has two parts: a basic award (calculated like statutory redundancy pay, capped at approximately £22,530 from April 2026) and a compensatory award for actual losses, capped at the lower of £123,543 or 52 weeks' gross pay as of April 2026.

Question 23

Do I need 2 years of employment to claim unfair dismissal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you generally need two years of continuous employment to bring an ordinary unfair dismissal claim. However, dismissal in certain categories is automatically unfair from day one regardless of service length.

Question 24

What is constructive dismissal?

Accepted Answer

Constructive dismissal occurs when an employer's conduct is so seriously in breach of the employment contract that the employee feels forced to resign. The employee can then claim they were effectively dismissed.

Question 25

How do I start an employment tribunal claim?

Accepted Answer

To start an employment tribunal claim, you must first notify ACAS and complete early conciliation. If conciliation fails, ACAS issues a certificate and you then submit your claim online via the employment tribunal service website.

Question 26

How long do I have to make an employment tribunal claim?

Accepted Answer

For most employment tribunal claims, including unfair dismissal, the time limit is three months less one day from the date of dismissal or the act complained of. This period is extended while ACAS early conciliation is ongoing.

Question 27

What is ACAS early conciliation?

Accepted Answer

ACAS early conciliation is a free, voluntary, and confidential process that must be attempted before filing most employment tribunal claims. An ACAS conciliator helps the parties explore settlement without going to tribunal.

Question 28

What is the difference between wrongful and unfair dismissal?

Accepted Answer

Wrongful dismissal is a contractual claim for breach of the employment contract — typically dismissal without proper notice. Unfair dismissal is a statutory claim based on whether the reason and procedure for dismissal were fair.

Question 29

What is the National Living Wage in 2026?

Accepted Answer

From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. Lower rates apply to younger workers and apprentices. Rates are reviewed annually.

Question 30

What are the rules for statutory sick pay?

Accepted Answer

Eligible employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) when unable to work due to illness. Following changes in 2025, SSP is payable from the first full day of sickness absence, at the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings or the weekly flat rate. This guidance applies to Great Britain.

Question 31

How is redundancy pay calculated?

Accepted Answer

Statutory redundancy pay is calculated based on your age, length of service (capped at 20 years), and a week's pay (capped at £751 from April 2026, reviewed annually). The maximum statutory payment from April 2026 is approximately £22,530.

Question 32

What maternity pay am I entitled to?

Accepted Answer

Eligible employees are entitled to up to 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, then the lower of 90% of earnings or the flat rate (£184.03 per week from April 2025) for the remaining 33 weeks.

Question 33

What holiday entitlement am I legally entitled to?

Accepted Answer

Most workers in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (28 days for a full-time worker working five days a week), including bank holidays if the employer counts them against the entitlement.

Question 34

Can my employer change my contract without agreement?

Accepted Answer

No. An employer cannot unilaterally change the terms of your employment contract. Any significant change requires either your agreement or, in some circumstances, termination and re-engagement on new terms.

Question 35

Am I entitled to holiday pay on a zero-hours contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the same 5.6 weeks' paid statutory annual leave as other workers. Holiday pay is calculated based on average earnings over the previous 52 weeks.

Question 36

What types of workplace discrimination are illegal in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation in the workplace in relation to the nine protected characteristics.

Question 37

What are the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?

Accepted Answer

The Equality Act 2010 protects nine characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Question 38

What protection do whistleblowers have in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Workers who make a "protected disclosure" under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (incorporated into the Employment Rights Act 1996) are protected from dismissal and detriment. Claims can be brought without any qualifying period.

Question 39

What does "without prejudice" mean in employment?

Accepted Answer

"Without prejudice" is a legal rule that means communications made in a genuine attempt to settle a dispute cannot be used as evidence in any subsequent legal proceedings. It protects open negotiation.

Question 40

Why do I need independent legal advice before signing a settlement agreement?

Accepted Answer

A settlement agreement is only legally valid if the employee has received advice from a qualified independent adviser (usually a solicitor) on its terms and effect. Without this, the agreement cannot waive your statutory rights.

Question 41

When should I receive my P45?

Accepted Answer

Your employer must give you a P45 on or before your last day of work, or as soon as reasonably practicable after. It is used by your new employer to set up your tax code correctly.

Question 42

Can my employer make me sign an NDA?

Accepted Answer

Employers can require employees to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to protect legitimate confidential business information. However, NDAs cannot lawfully be used to prevent the disclosure of illegal activity or to silence reports of discrimination or harassment.

Question 43

What is garden leave?

Accepted Answer

Garden leave is a period during a notice period where an employee is told to stay away from work, but remains employed and is paid their full salary. It is commonly used to protect sensitive business interests.

Question 44

What are my rights under TUPE?

Accepted Answer

TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) protects employees when a business or service is transferred to a new employer. Your employment terms and continuity are preserved automatically.

Question 45

I'm an agency worker, what rights do I have?

Accepted Answer

Agency workers have basic rights from day one (rest breaks, anti-discrimination protections, pay at the national minimum wage), and after 12 weeks in the same role are entitled to the same basic pay and conditions as comparable direct employees.

Question 46

What is a County Court Judgment?

Accepted Answer

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order in England and Wales that requires you to repay a debt to a creditor. It appears on your credit file and can make it harder to obtain credit.

Question 47

How long does a CCJ affect my credit rating?

Accepted Answer

A CCJ remains on the Register of Judgments, Orders, and Fines for six years from the date of the judgment, affecting your credit score throughout that period. Paying within 30 days has the CCJ removed entirely.

Question 48

Can I get a CCJ set aside?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If a CCJ was entered in default (because you did not respond to the claim), you can apply to the court to have it set aside using Form N244. You must act promptly and show a real prospect of successfully defending the claim.

Question 49

What does statute barred mean?

Accepted Answer

A statute barred debt is one where the creditor has lost the legal right to pursue it through the courts because the limitation period has expired — usually six years in England and Wales for most debts.

Question 50

What can bailiffs take from my home?

Accepted Answer

Enforcement agents (bailiffs) can seize goods you own outright to sell and recover a debt. They cannot take essential household items, tools of your trade (up to £1,350), or anything belonging to someone else.

Question 51

What is the Debt Breathing Space scheme?

Accepted Answer

The Breathing Space scheme (Debt Respite Scheme) gives people in problem debt a 60-day period of legal protection from creditor action, during which interest and charges are frozen and enforcement activity must stop.

Question 52

What is an IVA?

Accepted Answer

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a formal insolvency procedure in England and Wales that allows a debtor to make affordable monthly payments to creditors over a fixed period (usually five years) as an alternative to bankruptcy.

Question 53

What debts should I prioritise paying first?

Accepted Answer

Priority debts are those where non-payment can have the most serious consequences — including losing your home, having utilities cut off, or in rare cases serious enforcement action. These should always be paid before non-priority debts such as credit cards.

Question 54

What are my rights if a creditor is harassing me?

Accepted Answer

Creditors must follow the FCA's Consumer Duty rules and the Standards of Lending Practice. Harassment such as calling excessively, contacting family or employers, or making threats is unlawful and can be reported to the FCA.

Question 55

Can I ask for my debt to be written off?

Accepted Answer

In limited circumstances, you can ask a creditor to write off a debt — for example, due to severe financial hardship, serious illness, or if the debt is statute barred. There is no automatic right, and creditors are not obliged to agree.

Question 56

Am I eligible for legal aid in England?

Accepted Answer

Legal aid is available in England for certain types of cases (such as housing, family, and immigration) subject to a means test (your income and capital) and a merits test (whether your case is strong enough to justify funding).

Question 57

How do I use the small claims court?

Accepted Answer

The small claims court (a track of the County Court) deals with civil disputes worth up to £10,000. You can start a claim online via Money Claim Online or by submitting a paper claim form N1 at your local court.

Question 58

Where can I get free legal advice in England?

Accepted Answer

Free legal advice in England is available from Citizens Advice, Shelter (housing), ACAS (employment), National Debtline (debt), law centre clinics, university law clinics, and some solicitors offering free initial consultations.

Question 59

What is an ombudsman and when should I use one?

Accepted Answer

An ombudsman is an independent official who investigates complaints against organisations in a particular sector. In the UK, ombudsman schemes are free to use and their decisions are binding on the organisation concerned.

Question 60

How do I complain about a solicitor?

Accepted Answer

You should first raise your complaint with the solicitor's firm. If unresolved after eight weeks, you can escalate to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO), which is the independent ombudsman for legal services in England and Wales.

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