Q. Can I serve a section 21 notice by email?

A. Yes, if the tenant has given permission for this, in writing. This is sometimes done in the tenancy agreement. However, be aware that you will need to prove that the notice has been received, so it is probably safest to also serve a copy by a more traditional method at the same time. For example, by putting it through the letter box with an independent witness.  

This is particularly important with a ‘difficult’ tenant who is likely to want to defend your proceedings. Claiming that the notice was not served properly is an easy defence to make but if he does so, you will have the job of proving to the satisfaction of the Judge that the notice was properly served and received by the tenants.

Q. I rent a property to four tenants who all signed the tenancy agreement together on a ‘joint and several’ basis. One of them has just moved out and given notice that he wants his part of the tenancy to end now. However, there are still three months to go until the fixed term ends. Can he do this?