Skip to main content

Talk to us: 0333 004 4488 | hello@brabners.com

Dodgy dates: will an incorrect date invalidate a notice?

AuthorsIan Alderson

3 min read

Dodgy dates will an incorrect date invalidate a notice

This question was considered by the Court of Appeal in the recent case of Pease v Carter.

Background

The landlord served a Notice Seeking possession (NSP) under Section 8 Housing Act 1988 on the tenants on the grounds that they had rent arrears of over £3,500.  The NSP was dated and served on 17th November 2018.  It stated that court proceedings would not begin until after “26th November 2017”.  Of course, this should have said “26th November 2018”.  Section 8 requires that a NSP must include a date after which court proceedings can be started, which must be a minimum of 14 days after service of the NSP. 

In the County Court

At the first hearing the District Judge gave permission to the landlord to amend the NSP to show the correct date.  The tenants appealed on the grounds that the District Judge did not have the power to do this (which is correct, the District Judge did not).

On the appeal, the Circuit Judge held that whilst the error in the NSP was clear and it was obvious to a “reasonable recipient” of the NSP that the date was intended to be 26th November 2018, he NSP did not comply with the requirements of Section 8 and was therefore invalid.  The landlord appealed to the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal’s Decision

The Court of Appeal allowed the landlord’s appeal.  Having reviewed previous case law on mistakes in notices, it held that:

The Court of Appeal contrasted this case with a situation where a notice is wrong and a “reasonable recipient” could not be expected to appreciate that it contained an error and understand what it intended to say.  For example, if this NSP said that proceedings would not begin until after 20th November 2018, this not comply with the requirements of Section 8 (see above) and there was no reason for the tenant to interpret this as meaning anything other than 20th November 2018.

Comment

This case is welcome news for landlords and means that a typographical error in a notice may not invalidate it.  However, it not a “get out of jail card” for all mistakes.  For instance, it won’t rescue  the giving of short notice on a notice to quit or a section 21 notice (unless appropriate “saving words” are used) or in a rent review or break notice.

The Court of Appeal’s decision has implications beyond notices served under the Housing Act 1988.  It is of general application to notices served in all property contexts including in relation to commercial and agricultural properties.

If you require any further information then please contact Ian Alderson, Partner and Head of Housing of Housing and Regeneration, on 0151 600 3317 or ian.alderson@brabners.com.