Who it's for
- Private landlords in England who need to recover possession of an assured tenancy
- Landlords with rent arrears, a planned sale or move-in, or a breach of tenancy to deal with
- Not for social landlords, and not for Wales or Scotland
What's included
- Part 1 — Before you serve: deposit, evidence, Ground 1/1A timing, prior-notice grounds, PRS Database and naming checks
- Part 2 — Ground selector: table of every private-landlord ground (1, 1A, 2, 2ZA–2ZD, 4A, 5, 6, 6B, 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 9–15, 17) with type and minimum notice
- Part 3 — Completing and serving Form 3A, with a worked example of calculating the date
- Part 4 — Rent arrears schedule for Grounds 8, 10 and 11
- Part 5 — Covering letter to the tenant to send with Form 3A
- Part 6 — Record of service
- Part 7 — If the tenant does not leave: N5 and N119, PCOL, what to send the court and enforcement
Please note: the official Form 3A is free on GOV.UK and is not reproduced in this pack. The pack guides you through completing and serving it.
Key points covered
- Section 21 can no longer be used; possession needs a Schedule 2 ground and, if the tenant stays, a court order
- Form 3A itself is the government's prescribed form — download it free from GOV.UK; this pack helps you complete and serve it
- Grounds 1 and 1A need 4 months' notice and cannot expire in the first 12 months of the tenancy
- Ground 8 requires at least 3 months' arrears (13 weeks if paid weekly or fortnightly) at the notice date and the hearing — 4 weeks' notice
- Where you rely on more than one ground, use the longest notice period
- Proceedings must normally start within 12 months of service
- Restrictions on re-letting after using Grounds 1 or 1A are explained
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
Related documents
Assured Periodic Tenancy Agreement£19.99 · See what's included →Ground 1A Possession Notice Pack£14.99 · Buy now →Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026£14.99 · See what's included →
Questions
Does this pack include Form 3A?
No — Form 3A is a prescribed government form and is free on GOV.UK. The pack tells you exactly how to complete and serve it, and gives you the covering letter, arrears schedule and record of service to go with it.
Can I still use Section 21?
No. Section 21 was abolished in England from 1 May 2026. Possession is now only through the Section 8 grounds.
What if my tenant disputes the notice?
The notice does not end the tenancy by itself. If the tenant stays, you apply to the county court; Part 7 explains the forms and what to send. For contested cases, take advice from a solicitor.
Is it valid in Wales?
No. Wales uses the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and different notices.
Section 8 Notice Pack
£19.99 · Word + PDF · instant download
Buy — £19.99 →Bought the wrong document by genuine mistake? Our Swap or Refund Promise lets you swap it or get a refund within 14 days.