This Section 21 court case appeal could impact ALL landlords

This Section 21 court case appeal could impact ALL landlords

9:43 AM, 14th May 2024, About 6 months ago 12

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A landmark court case could throw a spanner into how landlords handle tenant communication after the Court of Appeal agreed to hear a second appeal in the case of D’Aubigny v Khan.

The case hinges on whether crucial documents can be legally served by post.

The tenant argues they never received essential paperwork, including an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) and a Gas Safety certificate, rendering the notice invalid.

They also say the How to Rent guide and deposit information cannot be served by post.

The crux of the issue lies in the interpretation of tenancy agreements and the 1978 Interpretation Act.

Most landlords who send documents by recorded delivery, with clauses in their tenancy agreement stating such deliveries are considered served, believe this fulfils the requirement.

However, the tenant says her clause referred only to ‘notices’ being served by post.

And landlords would have to show evidence that the documents had been received – rather than relying on proof of postage.

‘Could be significant implications for landlords’

The National Residential Landlords Association’s (NRLA) head of policy, James Wood, said: “If the Court of Appeal finds in favour of the tenant, there could be significant implications for landlords.

“Such a ruling could mean that many of the time sensitive documents landlords have served would be invalidated.”

However, the tenant argues that a specific mention of each document type being served by post is necessary.

They also question the application of the 1978 Act, as the relevant legislation doesn’t explicitly mention postal service.

The granted appeal throws the issue wide open

The court sided with the landlord initially – and in the first appeal – but the second appeal has, the NRLA says, thrown the issue wide open.

A ruling in favour of the tenant could force landlords to obtain signed receipts for crucial documents, which will have an impact on the ease of communication.

Mr Wood highlights the potential disruption to proposed legislation like the Renters (Reform) Bill, which mandates written tenancy agreements.

The NRLA says it intends to intervene in the case because it wants the continued validity of postal notices.

However, until the case is concluded, the NRLA is advising landlords to obtain signed acknowledgements from tenants for all critical documents.


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Robert Urquhart

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10:30 AM, 24th May 2024, About 6 months ago

Surely, any document that is served in accordance with Civil procedure Rules, Rule 6 'Service of Documents' is acceptable to the Court. I don't understand why this is at Appeal...

Michael Crofts

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12:07 PM, 24th May 2024, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Robert Urquhart at 24/05/2024 - 10:30
I thought The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 relate to the procedures to be adopted with regard to proceedings (in the legal sense), not other matters. The instant case relates to the correct procedures to be adopted prior to proceedings.

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