Accelerated Possession
A fast-track court procedure used under a Section 21 notice in England and Wales. Abolished for new claims from 1 May 2026 because Section 21 no longer exists. Possession is now pursued under Section 8 using a specified ground.
At a glance
- Status
- Abolished for new claims from 1 May 2026
- Previous use
- Section 21 paper-only possession
- Replaced by
- Section 8 with a specified ground
- Law
- Housing Act 1988 + RRA 2025
Full guide
Read the complete landlord guide on Accelerated Possession
Deadlines, fines and step-by-step compliance in our in-depth resource.
Open full guideWhy Accelerated Possession matters for landlords
Any landlord who issued a Section 21 before 1 May 2026 could pursue possession via the accelerated paper procedure without attending a court hearing — fast, predictable and well-suited to arrears and end-of-tenancy cases. Since the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 in England, this route is closed for new claims. Possession now follows the Section 8 ground procedure, which is more evidence-driven and usually involves a hearing, so landlords need much stronger documentation before serving notice.
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Official sources
- GOV.UK — Evicting tenants in England
- legislation.gov.uk — Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- legislation.gov.uk — Housing Act 1988
LetCompliance editorial reviews this entry every quarter against the sources above. Always confirm specific duties with a qualified solicitor or your local council.
Related terms
Form N5B (Accelerated Possession Claim)
The court form historically used to start an accelerated possession claim after a valid Section 21 notice. The accelerated route allowed possession on paper without a hearing in straightforward cases. From 1 May 2026 the form is no longer usable for new claims because Section 21 has been abolished by the Renters Rights Act 2025; possession claims now start under Section 8 / Form N5 instead.
Section 21 Prerequisites
The bundle of pre-conditions a private landlord in England must satisfy before a Section 21 notice (Form 6A) is valid: deposit protected within 30 days plus Prescribed Information served, current Gas Safety Certificate served, current EICR served, and current GOV.UK How to Rent guide served on the tenant. Miss any one and the court will dismiss an accelerated possession claim outright.
Bailiff (County Court Bailiff / High Court Enforcement Officer)
The court officer who enforces a possession order at the eviction stage. After a landlord wins a possession order under Section 8 (post-1 May 2026 the only route in England), if the tenant does not leave by the date in the order the landlord applies for a Warrant of Possession (CCB) or a Writ of Possession (HCEO). The bailiff or HCEO then attends to take physical possession; only they may lawfully evict, self-help eviction by the landlord is a criminal offence under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
Possession Order
The court order made at the end of a possession claim, requiring the tenant to give up the property to the landlord on a specified date. Two main types under Section 8: outright (give up by a fixed date, typically 14–42 days) or suspended (postponed if the tenant complies with terms, e.g. clearing arrears). If the tenant does not leave by the date in the order the landlord must apply for a Warrant of Possession to enforce eviction by a county court bailiff or High Court Enforcement Officer.
Possession Warrant (Warrant of Possession)
The court instruction authorising a county court bailiff to physically evict the tenant after a Possession Order has expired without the tenant leaving. Applied for on form N325, currently runs at a £130 court fee plus the bailiff’s scheduling waiting list (often 6–12 weeks in busy regions). Higher-value claims (over £600) can be transferred to the High Court for enforcement by a High Court Enforcement Officer (Writ of Possession), which is significantly faster but more expensive.
Section 21 Notice
The no-fault eviction notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. Abolished for new notices from 1 May 2026 under the Renters Rights Act 2025. Landlords must now use Section 8 with a specified ground.