Section 8 Notice
A possession notice served under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 citing a specific ground. From 1 May 2026 this is the only route to possession in England. Common grounds: Ground 1 (landlord moving in), Ground 1A (sale), Ground 8 (3 months' arrears).
At a glance
- Only possession route (England)
- From 1 May 2026
- Served under
- Housing Act 1988 s.8
- Form
- Form 3
- Notice period
- Varies by ground (2 weeks to 4 months)
Full guide
Read the complete landlord guide on Section 8 Notice
Deadlines, fines and step-by-step compliance in our in-depth resource.
Open full guideWhy Section 8 Notice matters for landlords
Section 8 is now the only route to possession in England — every landlord planning a tenancy end needs evidence that ties to a specific ground before they serve. Ground-mix errors are the single most common reason a possession claim fails at the hearing, followed by service-date miscalculation. A well-built Section 8 notice has dated, grounds-specific evidence attached to the serve.
Official sources
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
Notice Period
The minimum period a landlord must give before seeking possession under Section 8. Most grounds now require 4 months' notice under the Renters Rights Act 2025, anti-social behaviour can be served with immediate effect, and Ground 8 arrears notice is 4 weeks.
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.
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.
BTL (Buy-to-Let)
A mortgage product and business model where a property is purchased specifically to rent out. Buy-to-let landlords are subject to Section 24 of the Finance Act 2015, which replaced mortgage interest relief with a 20% tax credit. Stamp duty is higher on a second property.
Disrepair
A property condition falling below legal standards under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 or the Decent Homes Standard. Tenants can sue for damages and specific performance, and a valid disrepair claim is a complete defence to a possession claim.
How to Rent Guide
A government checklist that landlords in England must give tenants at the start of every new assured tenancy. Available on GOV.UK as a PDF. Failure to serve it historically invalidated a Section 21 notice, and it remains a marker of a compliant tenancy setup.