Section 25 Notice
A Section 25 notice is the landlord's formal notice under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 ending your existing tenancy and either proposing terms for a new one or opposing renewal altogether. It must be in the prescribed form, must give between six and twelve months' notice, and must not expire before the contractual term date.
Friendly or hostile?
A friendly notice states the landlord will not oppose a new tenancy and sets out proposed rent and terms. A hostile notice states the landlord opposes renewal and must specify which Section 30 grounds are relied on. The two demand completely different responses — one is a negotiation, the other is a defence.
Deadlines that bite
You no longer need to serve a counter-notice, but you must issue court proceedings before the termination date stated in the notice, unless an extension is agreed in writing. Miss it and you lose your renewal rights entirely, whatever the merits of your case. Agreed extensions are common and should be documented every time.
Check the notice is valid
Wrong form, wrong tenant name, service on the wrong address, a date that pre-dates the contractual expiry, or a hostile notice that fails to specify grounds — invalid notices are more common than landlords like to admit, and a defective notice buys time and leverage.
Common questions
- How long do I have to respond to a Section 25 notice?
- The critical deadline is the termination date in the notice — court proceedings must be issued before it, or the renewal rights are lost. Take advice within days of receipt, not weeks.
- Can I ignore a Section 25 notice if I want to leave?
- If you intend to vacate on the termination date you can, but confirm your position and your dilapidations exposure before doing so.
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Chris McGarrigle MRICS, chartered since 1989, acting for occupiers across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
chris@mcgarrigle.comRelated guides
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- Commercial Lease Expiry
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