Section 8 Eviction Grounds Checker
Section 21 "no-fault" evictions were abolished on 1 May 2026. Every landlord recovering possession in England now needs a valid Section 8 ground. Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the most likely ground, the notice period and the evidence you'll need to gather.
Likely grounds for your situation
With three months or more of arrears, the mandatory Ground 8 is likely to be your strongest option, ideally cited alongside the discretionary arrears grounds as a fallback.
Ground 8: Serious rent arrears
MandatoryNotice period required
4 weeks
Evidence you'll likely need
- Full rent statement / ledger showing arrears at the date of the notice and the hearing
- Tenancy agreement showing the rent amount and payment frequency
- Records of any communication with the tenant about the arrears
If this ground is proven, the court must grant possession.
Ground 10: Some rent arrears
DiscretionaryNotice period required
4 weeks
Evidence you'll likely need
- Rent statement / ledger showing arrears owed
- Evidence of the tenant's ability to pay, if relevant
The court must additionally decide it is reasonable to grant possession, weighing up both sides' circumstances.
Ground 11: Persistent late payment of rent
DiscretionaryNotice period required
4 weeks
Evidence you'll likely need
- A payment history showing a pattern of late payments, even where arrears have since been cleared
The court must additionally decide it is reasonable to grant possession, weighing up both sides' circumstances.
Reaching landlords navigating possession right now
This slot sits beneath a live grounds result, right when someone is working out their options and likely to need legal advice. Housing solicitors, eviction specialists and landlord legal services fit naturally here.