Who it's for
- Private landlords in England with an assured periodic tenancy who genuinely intend to sell the property
- Landlords who want a clear record of their evidence and of how the notice was served
- Not for Wales or Scotland, and not for a sale to the sitting tenant
What's included
- Ground 1A at a glance — what the ground is, the notice period, the first-12-months rule, the restricted period after the notice and the consequences of misuse
- Evidence of intention to sell — what to gather before serving (agent's terms, valuation, conveyancer correspondence, your reasons)
- Completing Form 3A for Ground 1A — six steps, including copying the ground wording exactly and working out the date
- Covering letter to the tenant to send with Form 3A, with signposting to Shelter and Citizens Advice
- Record of service — method, date, proof kept and who served it
- Checklist before serving (8 checks) and the next step if the tenant stays
Please note: the official Form 3A is free on GOV.UK and is not reproduced in this pack. The pack helps you complete and serve it.
Key points covered
- Ground 1A is a mandatory ground — if the court is satisfied it is made out, it must order possession
- At least 4 months' notice, and the notice cannot expire within the first 12 months of the current tenancy
- From service until 12 months after the notice period ends, you must not re-let or market the property to let
- Misuse can lead to civil penalties, prosecution and a rent repayment order of up to 2 years' rent
- The court will not make the order unless the deposit was protected and prescribed information given (or the deposit returned)
- If the tenant stays, you apply to the county court (N5 and N119), normally within 12 months of serving the notice
DocPilot templates are drafted from current legislation and official guidance (GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and the relevant regulators), checked against those sources and fully re-reviewed every six months. They are not legal advice. How we make our documents →
Read the guide
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Section 8 Notice Pack£19.99 · See what's included →Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026£14.99 · See what's included →Landlord Portfolio Tracker 2026£12.99 · See what's included →
Questions
Does this pack include Form 3A?
No. Form 3A is the government's prescribed form and is free on GOV.UK. This pack guides you through completing and serving it for Ground 1A.
When can I serve a Ground 1A notice?
The notice period is at least 4 months and it cannot end within the first 12 months of the tenancy, so you can serve from around month 8 as long as the notice expires after month 12.
What if the sale falls through?
You must not re-let or market the property to let until 12 months after the notice period ends. Take advice before doing anything with the property.
Is the Ground 1A pack in the Landlord Complete Bundle?
No. It is sold separately. The bundle includes the Section 8 Notice Pack, which covers all the main possession grounds.
Ground 1A Possession Notice Pack
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