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Landlord SOS - Updated for the 1 May 2026 possession rules

Deposit compliance,
clear possession readiness

Identify tenancy deposit and prescribed information problems, understand the lawful remedy options, and prepare a clear evidence-led route before serving a possession notice in England.

Start compliance rescue - £109 See what is included
Fixed £109 service
Human-reviewed assessment
England only
RRA 2025 aligned
One clear review
Deposit records, prescribed information, remedy options and possession readiness assessed together.
Deposit protection
Prescribed information
Service evidence
Section 8 readiness
Form 3A process
Legal escalation
The legal position now

Section 21 has ended. Deposit compliance still matters.

Since 1 May 2026, private landlords in England cannot serve a new Section 21 notice. Possession must normally be pursued through a valid statutory ground using the correct Section 8 notice and Form 3A process.

Deposit compliance can determine court readinessProtection and prescribed information failures can prevent possession orders on many grounds until the legal position is properly addressed.
The ground, notice and evidence must alignThe correct notice period and supporting facts depend on the possession ground being used.
Legacy notices need transitional reviewA notice served before 1 May 2026 may remain subject to specific transitional rules and court deadlines.
What this service does

Turn an uncertain file into a decision-ready position

We reconstruct the deposit timeline, test the available records, identify evidence gaps and set out the safest next steps. The result is a clear compliance position rather than a generic checklist.

AuditDates, amounts, scheme records, parties and prescribed information.
RemedyAvailable corrective steps and when specialist advice is needed.
EvidenceWhat can be proved, what is missing and what must be retained.
ProceedReady for the next step, further work required or legal referral.
When to use this service

Resolve the uncertainty before serving a notice

Use the service where deposit history, paperwork or proof of service may affect the next possession step.

Late or missing protection

The deposit was protected after the statutory deadline, the scheme record cannot be found, or protection may never have taken place.

Prescribed information concerns

Information was incomplete, signed incorrectly, served late, or there is no reliable evidence showing what the tenant received.

Changes during the tenancy

The tenancy renewed, parties changed, the deposit moved schemes, or older records do not match the current tenancy position.

Possession is being considered

You need to know whether the deposit file is compatible with the intended possession ground before serving Form 3A.

A tenant claim is possible

The tenant has raised deposit non-compliance, threatened proceedings, or is likely to rely on the issue in a possession defence.

The records are fragmented

Documents sit across emails, agent files and scheme portals, making it difficult to establish a reliable chronology.

The outcome

A decision-ready compliance position

Know what is compliant, what is uncertain, what can be addressed and what must happen before formal possession action.

Clear compliance decision

A concise assessment of the deposit chronology, prescribed information and available proof.

Prioritised action plan

The next steps placed in a practical sequence, including any evidence or specialist input still required.

Possession-readiness summary

A clear view of whether the file can progress, needs further work or should be referred to a solicitor.

The process

Four controlled steps from records to readiness

A focused workflow designed to establish the facts before any formal notice is served.

1

Submit the records

Provide the tenancy, deposit, scheme and service documents available for the property.

2

Chronology and audit

We test dates, amounts, parties, prescribed information and evidence against the legal requirements.

3

Remedy and evidence plan

You receive a prioritised sequence explaining the available steps and any unresolved risk.

4

Readiness decision

The file is classified as ready, further work required, or appropriate for specialist legal referral.

Possession readiness

Compliance first. Notice second. Evidence throughout.

The service is designed to stop landlords serving a notice on an incomplete file. We connect the deposit position to the intended possession route and identify where legal advice is required before proceeding.

Readiness review Human reviewed
  • Deposit payment and protection dates reconstructed
  • Prescribed information content and parties checked
  • iAvailable evidence of service recorded
  • !Unresolved defects and claim exposure highlighted
  • iPossession route and legal escalation considered
No missing record is treated as proved. Evidence gaps are identified honestly and carried into the final readiness decision.
What is included

A complete deposit-compliance review pack

The £109 service covers one tenancy and one property, with a structured written assessment and next-step summary.

Deposit chronology

Payment, protection, scheme and tenancy dates placed into one reliable sequence.

Core review

Prescribed information review

Content, signatures, scheme details, landlord information and available service proof checked.

Evidence check

Risk classification

Clear identification of confirmed compliance, unresolved evidence gaps and potential claim exposure.

Decision support

Remedy sequence

Available corrective steps arranged in a sensible order without implying that late action erases an earlier breach.

Action plan

Possession-readiness assessment

The deposit file considered against the intended Section 8 route, notice requirements and evidence position.

Possession file

Written outcome summary

A concise record of the findings, recommended next steps and any point requiring specialist legal advice.

Written result
Preparing the file

What we need and what commonly goes wrong

Provide what you have. Missing material will be recorded as an evidence gap rather than assumed.

Documents and details to provide

  • Tenancy agreement and any renewal, variation or assignment documents
  • Deposit receipt, payment evidence and the date the money was received
  • Scheme certificate, reference number and current scheme status
  • Prescribed information and any signed scheme leaflet or supporting pages
  • Email, post, witness or agent evidence showing how documents were served
  • Details of any deposit return, tenant complaint, claim, settlement or court order

Common problems identified

  • No reliable evidence of protection within the required period
  • Prescribed information with incorrect names, addresses or scheme details
  • Documents present but no credible proof of when or how they were served
  • Different deposit amounts or party names across the scheme and tenancy records
  • Assuming re-protection or late service automatically removes historic liability
  • Serving a possession notice before checking the evidence and relevant ground
Frequently asked questions

Before you start

The service is practical and focused, but it does not replace specialist representation in a defended or complex case.

Is this still a Section 21 rescue service?

No. New Section 21 notices cannot be served in England from 1 May 2026. The service now focuses on deposit compliance, lawful remedy options and readiness for the correct Section 8 possession route. A legacy notice served before 1 May 2026 may require a separate transitional review.

Can every deposit breach be fixed in the same way?

No. The correct response depends on the chronology, scheme status, information served, any deposit return and whether a tenant claim has been decided, settled or withdrawn. The review identifies the available options without assuming that a late step erases the original breach.

Does deposit non-compliance affect every possession case?

Deposit compliance affects many possession grounds, but the precise consequence depends on the ground and the facts. The review links the deposit position to the intended possession route rather than applying one answer to every case.

Does the £109 include court representation?

No. The price covers the stated compliance review and action summary for one tenancy and property. Court representation, defended proceedings, damages claims and bespoke solicitor advice are separate services.

Can I use this service for a property in Wales?

No. This page and service wording are designed for private rented property in England. Wales has a separate framework under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

What happens if documents are missing?

The missing material will be recorded as an evidence gap. We will not invent or assume service. The report will explain what can be verified, what cannot be verified and what additional evidence or professional advice may be needed.

Landlord SOS

Do not serve first and investigate later.

Put the deposit file in order, understand the available remedy route and confirm possession readiness before taking the next formal step.

Start compliance rescue - £109 View possession support
Important: This service provides compliance support, document review and practical guidance. It is not court representation or bespoke legal advice from a regulated solicitor. The availability and success of a possession ground depend on the facts, the evidence, the correct prescribed notice and the court's determination. The service is intended for private rented property in England. Information should be reviewed again if legislation, prescribed forms or official guidance changes.