Mandatory Section 8 Grounds: Full List for Landlords
A mandatory ground means the court must make a possession order if the landlord proves the ground and follows the rules. These are the mandatory grounds for private landlords in England after 1 May 2026.
Notice periods come from section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Check the conditions for each ground before relying on it.
General information about private renting in England, checked against the official sources listed below. It is not legal advice. If you have court papers, a bailiff date or a health risk at home, contact Shelter, Citizens Advice or a housing solicitor now.
Mandatory grounds and notice periods
| Ground | Reason | Minimum notice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landlord or close family moving in | 4 months |
| 1A | Landlord selling | 4 months |
| 1B | Sale of a rent-to-buy home | 4 months |
| 2 | Mortgage lender selling | 4 months |
| 2ZA–2ZD | Superior lease ending | 4 months |
| 4A | Student house needed for new students | 4 months |
| 6, 6A, 6B | Redevelopment, enforcement action, legal requirement | 4 months |
| 5, 5A–5D, 5H | Minister of religion, employment-related and stepping-stone lettings | 2 months |
| 7 | Death of the tenant | 2 months |
| 5E, 5F, 5G | Supported and temporary accommodation | 4 weeks |
| 8 | Serious rent arrears | 4 weeks |
| 4 | Letting by an educational institution | 2 weeks |
| 7B | Tenant has no right to rent | 2 weeks |
| 7A | Severe antisocial or criminal behaviour | None (proceedings can start on service) |
Where a notice lists several grounds, the longest notice period applies. Proceedings must start within 12 months of the notice.
Selling or moving in: the extra rules
- Grounds 1 and 1A cannot be used to end a tenancy in its first 12 months.
- After serving notice on either ground, the landlord cannot re-let or market the home for rent for 12 months.
- The court will want evidence that the intention is genuine, such as estate agent instructions or plans for the family member to move in.
- Misusing these grounds can lead to council fines and rent repayment orders.
Worked example: selling
A landlord let a flat from 1 July 2026 and decides in March 2027 to sell. Ground 1A cannot end the tenancy in its first 12 months, so the earliest possession date is 1 July 2027. Serving Form 3A on 1 March 2027 gives 4 months’ notice, ending 1 July 2027. The landlord instructs an estate agent first and keeps the instruction letter as evidence. After the notice is served, the flat cannot be re-let or advertised for rent for 12 months.
Mandatory compared with discretionary
Discretionary grounds, such as Ground 10 (any arrears), Ground 12 (breach of tenancy) and Ground 14 (antisocial behaviour), need the court to agree eviction is reasonable. Many claims combine a mandatory ground with discretionary ones as a fall-back. See the full list of Section 8 grounds.
Getting it right
- Use the current Form 3A and quote each ground in full with the facts relied on.
- Check the deposit was protected and the prescribed information given, and that safety and licensing duties are met.
- Serve the notice correctly and keep proof of service.
- If the tenant stays after the notice expires, apply to the county court. Only court bailiffs or High Court enforcement officers can carry out an eviction.
Free template: Mandatory ground evidence checklist
Fill in the parts in [square brackets], then copy, download as a Word file or print. Each one shows a filled-in example first. These are general templates for England, not legal advice.
Mandatory ground evidence checklist
Before relying on a mandatory ground, check that you have the evidence a judge would expect to see.
MANDATORY GROUND EVIDENCE CHECKLIST Property: [Property address] Ground: [Ground] ☑ Tenancy agreement on file ☑ Deposit protected, prescribed information given ☑ Gas, electrical and EPC records on file ☑ Current Form 3A used, reasons set out in full ☑ Right notice period for this ground ☑ Rent statement up to date ☐ Three months' arrears on the date of notice ☐ Three months' arrears on the date of hearing ☐ Proof of how the notice was served
Before you send it
- For Ground 8, the arrears test applies on both dates.
- A claim can be delayed or dismissed if the notice is wrong.
- Take legal advice if you are unsure.
Checked against: GOV.UK: Repossessing your privately rented property after 1 May 2026
Sources
These are the official and specialist pages this guide is checked against. Rules and forms change, so check the live page before you act.
Questions people ask
What makes a ground mandatory?
If the landlord proves it and meets its conditions, the court must make a possession order. It cannot weigh reasonableness as it does for discretionary grounds.
Can I sell in the first year of a tenancy?
You can sell with the tenant in place, but you cannot use Ground 1A to end the tenancy in its first 12 months. Explain the occupied status to any buyer and get advice before promising vacant possession. The sale timetable and the legal process for ending a tenancy are separate matters.
How long is the notice to sell or move in?
For the relevant England private assured tenancy grounds, check the four-month period alongside the first-year protection and the particular ground’s conditions. Keep the notice, delivery evidence and tenancy start date together; do not treat the stated date as permission to change the locks.
Which ground has no notice period?
For the current England private assured route, both Grounds 7A and 14 can allow proceedings to begin immediately after notice. The court cannot make the possession order within the first 14 days. These are specific antisocial-behaviour grounds, not a general shortcut around eviction procedure.
Tools and guides that go with this
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