Section 25 Notice: How a Landlord Serves It

A Section 25 notice is how a landlord ends or renews a business tenancy under the 1954 Act. Serving it correctly is essential, because errors can invalidate the notice.

What it does

A Section 25 notice is served by the landlord and either proposes the terms of a new tenancy (a friendly notice) or states that you oppose renewal on stated grounds (a hostile notice).

Timing

The notice must be served not less than 6 and not more than 12 months before the termination date it specifies, and that date cannot be earlier than the contractual expiry. Getting the date or the form wrong can render the notice invalid.

Friendly vs hostile

• A friendly notice sets out the new rent and terms you propose.
• A hostile notice states the statutory ground or grounds on which you oppose a new tenancy. See grounds to oppose renewal.

Get it checked

Because the timing and content are prescribed, and because a defective notice can leave the existing tenancy running, have a solicitor prepare and serve the notice. If the tenant has already served a Section 26 notice, different steps apply.

When must a Section 25 notice be served?

Not less than 6 and not more than 12 months before the termination date it specifies, which cannot be earlier than the contractual expiry.

What is the difference between a friendly and hostile Section 25 notice?

A friendly notice proposes the terms of a new tenancy; a hostile notice states the statutory grounds on which you oppose renewal.