A Section 8 notice for landlords seeking possession of an assured periodic tenancy under the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025). Private landlords in England must use Form 3A, the prescribed notice. There is no live paid Section 8 notice SKU on this page.
What this notice is
Form 3A is the prescribed Section 8 notice for a private landlord in England. It covers the statutory grounds in the revised Schedule 2. Use the current GOV.UK form. Do not treat a third-party drafting tool as a replacement for that form.
When to use Section 8
From 1 May 2026, Section 8 is the only route to possession of an assured periodic tenancy. Section 21 has been abolished. Every Section 8 notice must specify one or more of the statutory grounds and the correct notice period for those grounds.
The most commonly used grounds are:
- Ground 8 — mandatory rent arrears (three months or more, or thirteen weeks). Four weeks' notice.
- Grounds 10 and 11 — discretionary rent arrears grounds. Four weeks' notice.
- Ground 12 — breach of tenancy obligation. Four weeks' notice.
- Ground 14 — anti-social behaviour. Notice can take effect immediately for the most serious cases.
Completing Form 3A
Download Form 3A from GOV.UK. Complete it for the tenancy. Keep a copy and proof of service.
Do not change the wording unless the form allows it. “Substantially to the like effect” is the validity test, not an invite to rewrite the notice.
What you still need to do
A Section 8 notice on its own does not recover possession. After serving it, you must:
- Issue a possession claim at court (Form N5).
- Prepare evidence — rent ledgers for arrears, incident logs for anti-social behaviour, documentary proof of intent to occupy or sell.
- Attend a hearing — the accelerated procedure that supported Section 21 has been retired.
- Obtain a possession order, then (if the tenant does not leave) a warrant of possession.