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Section 8 Eviction 2026: The Errors Still Circulating After Section 21 Abolition

Section 21 was permanently abolished on 1 May 2026. Multiple published guides now contain incorrect Section 8 guidance โ€” wrong grounds, wrong notice periods, wrong evidence requirements. Here is what the Act actually says.

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Key corrections

Section 21 is abolished for ALL tenancies โ€” no grandfather clause
Ground 1 and 1A notice is 4 months โ€” not 2 months
Ground 8 requires 3+ months arrears at hearing โ€” not just at service
Ground 4A Confirmation Notice must be served before tenancy starts

Pet Request Response Window: 28 Days or 42 Days? What the RRA 2025 Actually Says

Multiple published guides โ€” including at least one major template provider โ€” are stating the pet request response window as 42 days. This is incorrect. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 specifies 28 days. Here's the legislative reference and the ยฃ7,000 penalty for getting it wrong.

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Key facts

Response window is 28 days โ€” not 42
Governed by Section 11 RRA 2025, inserting s.16A Housing Act 1988
Miss the deadline โ€” consent is deemed granted, cannot be reversed
Civil penalty up to ยฃ7,000 for non-compliance

October 2026: Every UK Employment Contract Must Now Include a Trade Union Statement

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a new mandatory requirement from October 2026 โ€” every written statement of employment particulars must include a written statement of the employee's right to join a trade union.

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Key facts

Effective October 2026 โ€” all new employment contracts
No small employer exemption โ€” applies to all UK employers
Applies regardless of whether workplace is unionised
Tribunal claims possible for non-compliance

Employment Rights Act 2025: The Errors Still Circulating Among UK Employers

Several widely-shared HR guides contain errors about what the ERA 2025 actually changed. SSP waiting days, unfair dismissal dates, family leave qualifying periods โ€” here is what the Act actually says.

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Key corrections

SSP waiting days abolished entirely from 6 April 2026
Paternity leave is a day-one right โ€” 26-week qualifying period gone
Unfair dismissal drops to 6 months from January 2027
NMW rates updated April 2026 โ€” check your contracts

April 2027: Pensions Enter the Estate โ€” What Every UK Saver Needs to Do Now

From April 2027, unused pension pots will be included in your taxable estate for inheritance tax. Millions of UK savers who thought their pension was IHT-free face a significant bill. Here is what changes and what to do now.

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Key facts

Effective 6 April 2027 โ€” defined contribution pensions
Pension joins the taxable estate at 40% IHT
Couples below IHT threshold may now be above it
Update your will and expression of wishes now

Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 โ€” What Scottish Landlords Must Do Before October 2026

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 significantly increases WTO penalties from October 2026 โ€” the maximum rises from ยฃ3,900 to ยฃ30,240 for a ยฃ650/month property. Tenancy succession also changes. Here is everything Scottish landlords need to do now.

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Key changes

WTO penalties: max rises from ยฃ3,900 to ยฃ30,240 from 6 Oct 2026
Succession period: 12 months โ†’ 6 months from 6 Oct 2026
Rent challenge window: 21 โ†’ 30 days from April 2027
Single joint tenant can end tenancy from April 2027

January 2027: Unfair Dismissal Qualifying Period Drops to 6 Months โ€” What Employers Must Do Now

From 1 January 2027, an employee dismissed in their seventh month can bring an unfair dismissal claim. The two-year qualifying period disappears. Here is what every employer must do before the deadline.

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Key facts

Qualifying period: 2 years โ†’ 6 months from 1 January 2027
Month 7 employees can bring tribunal claims
Probationary periods must include proper documentation
Every dismissal needs ACAS Code compliance from month 7

School Absence Letters, Travel Consent and DVLA Letters โ€” The Personal Documents Most People Don’t Know They Need

Most people don’t know a formal letter is required until they are turned away at an airport or issued a penalty notice by the school. Here is what you actually need โ€” and what each document must include.

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Documents covered

School absence โ€” fixed penalty notices from ยฃ80
Child travel consent โ€” required by many countries
DVLA letters โ€” Section 94 medical notifications
Statutory declarations โ€” must be witnessed by solicitor

October 2026: Every Employment Contract Must Include a Trade Union Rights Statement

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a new mandatory written statement requirement. Employers who fail to update their contracts face tribunal uplift risk on every subsequent claim.

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Key facts

Effective: October 2026 (commencement order pending)
Applies to all employers โ€” no small employer exemption
Tribunal uplift: 2โ€“4 weeks’ pay for non-compliance
Update contracts before October 2026

5 Section 75 Myths That Could Cost You a Refund

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 is one of the most powerful consumer protections in UK law โ€” and one of the most misunderstood. These are the five errors that cause valid claims to fail.

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Common myths busted

You only paid part of it on the card โ€” FALSE
It doesn’t apply overseas โ€” FALSE
Only works if company has gone bust โ€” FALSE
Chargeback is the same thing โ€” FALSE

5 Redundancy Procedure Errors That Create Tribunal Claims

Redundancy procedure errors are the most common cause of unfair dismissal claims. From January 2027, the qualifying period drops to 6 months โ€” making correct process more important than ever.

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Top errors

No genuine pool of selection defined
Subjective selection criteria used
Inadequate individual consultation
SRP calculated incorrectly

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Employment Rights Act 2025
What changed and what employers must do now.
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Assured Periodic Tenancy Guide
What changed on 1 May 2026 and what you need.
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Inheritance Tax Guide 2026
Thresholds, pension changes 2027, and gifting rules.
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What your website must have โ€” ICO enforcement rising.
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Redundancy Process 2026
Consultation, selection, statutory pay and appeals.
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What unmarried couples actually need to know.
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