Gateshead Council fines landlord £3,600 for serving a Section 21 notice after 1 May

Gateshead Council has collected its first fine from a landlord who served a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notice after 1 May 2026, when, the council says, these notices could no longer be used. The landlord was fined £3,600 and paid a discounted £3,060, the council announced on 20 October 2026.

£3,600

Fine for serving a Section 21 notice

£3,060

Paid after 15% prompt-payment discount

Up to £7,000

Maximum civil penalty for a breach (gov.uk guidance)

Sources: Gateshead Council, 20 October 2026; GOV.UK civil penalties guidance

What happened

The council’s private sector housing team contacted the landlord to explain the change in the law, told them the notice was not valid, and set out the correct legal routes if they still wanted possession. A notice of the proposed fine was issued, giving the landlord a chance to respond. The final notice followed on 24 August 2026, and the landlord paid on 8 September, qualifying for a 15% discount by paying within 28 days.

The council said this is the first penalty it has issued under the new legislation to have concluded, and that “other cases are being considered”.

What it means for landlords

Section 21 notices can no longer be used in England. To regain possession, landlords need a valid possession ground.
Councils are enforcing. Under the government’s civil penalties guidance, breaches of the new rules carry a civil penalty of up to £7,000, and more serious offences up to £40,000.
The same guidance says any prompt-payment discount should not exceed one-third of the final penalty.
If you are unsure which ground applies, check before serving any notice. An invalid notice can now lead to a fine as well as a failed claim.

Sources

This article is general information for UK landlords, not legal advice. Check the current position or take professional advice.

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