Housing

Section 8 Notice Template (Landlord to Tenant)

A Section 8 notice for landlords seeking possession on a specific ground - rent arrears, selling the property, moving in, or another breach - using the current grounds and notice periods.

When to use this template

Use this template when you are a landlord seeking possession of a property on a specific legal ground under the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025). Since Section 21 'no fault' notices were abolished from 1 May 2026, Section 8 is now the only route to possession - whether the reason is rent arrears, wanting to sell, wanting to move in yourself or a family member, or another breach of the tenancy. You must state the specific ground(s) you are relying on and give the correct notice period for each.

Check the background in our Section 8 and Section 21 guide and obtain advice on the current prescribed form, grounds and service requirements.

The template

[Your Full Name / Landlord Name]
[Your Address Line 1]
[Town / City]
[Postcode]

[Date]

[Tenant Full Name]
[Property Address Line 1]
[Town / City]
[Postcode]

Dear [Tenant Name],

Re: Notice Seeking Possession under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 - [Property Address]

I am writing to give you formal notice, in accordance with Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, that I intend to seek possession of [property address].

This notice is accompanied by Form 3 ('Notice seeking possession of a property let on an assured tenancy or an assured agricultural occupancy'), which sets out the ground(s) I am relying on:

Ground [state ground number(s), e.g. Ground 1 - landlord intends to sell; Ground 1A - landlord or family intend to move in; or Ground 8, 10 and 11 - rent arrears], namely: [describe the ground clearly, e.g. "I intend to sell the property" or "rent arrears of £[amount] as at [date], being [number] months' rent unpaid"].

You have [state minimum notice period for the ground(s) relied on - currently 4 months for Ground 1/1A, or at least 4 weeks for the rent arrears grounds 8, 10 and 11] from the date of this notice to remedy the situation or vacate the property.

If the matter is not resolved within this period, I may apply to court for a possession order. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss the situation, as I would prefer to avoid court proceedings if we can reach an agreement.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Telephone Number]
[Your Email Address]

Enc: Form 3 - Notice seeking possession of a property let on an assured tenancy

Prefer to write your own from scratch? write a letter online.

Tips for using this template

1You must use Form 3 (available free from GOV.UK) and correctly identify which ground(s) under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 you are relying on - the notice period varies by ground.
2Since the Renters' Rights Act 2025 took effect on 1 May 2026, Ground 1 (landlord intends to sell) and Ground 1A (landlord or a close family member intends to move in) require a minimum of 4 months' notice, and generally cannot be used within the first 12 months of a tenancy.
3For the rent arrears grounds (8, 10 and 11), the minimum notice period is now at least 4 weeks, and the arrears threshold for the mandatory Ground 8 has increased to 3 months' rent (13 weeks' rent if paid weekly or fortnightly) - check the current GOV.UK grounds-for-possession guidance for the exact figures and wording for your ground.
4A Section 8 notice requires you to prove your case in court - the judge decides whether the ground is made out, and for some grounds (like rent arrears under Ground 8) the arrears must still exist at the court hearing.
5Keep a clear, dated record of rent arrears or the breach you are relying on, as you will need to present this evidence in court if the tenant does not resolve the issue.
6This is general guidance, not legal advice, and reflects the position as we understand it since the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes - always confirm the current grounds, notice periods and evidence requirements on GOV.UK or with a solicitor before serving notice.
7Send by Signed For or Special Delivery so you have proof of the date the tenant received it.

Frequently asked questions

Is Section 8 now the only way to get possession of a rented property in England?

Yes. Since Section 21 'no fault' notices were abolished from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, Section 8 is the only route to possession, and landlords must state a specific ground from Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988.

How much notice do I need to give for rent arrears?

For the rent arrears grounds (8, 10 and 11), the minimum notice period is now at least 4 weeks. The mandatory Ground 8 threshold has also increased to 3 months' unpaid rent (13 weeks if paid weekly or fortnightly) - always check the current Form 3 guidance for the exact figures before serving notice.

How do I get possession if the tenant hasn't done anything wrong?

Use Ground 1 (you intend to sell the property) or Ground 1A (you or a close family member intend to move in as their only or main home) - the closest replacements for the old Section 21 'no fault' route. Both currently require at least 4 months' notice and generally cannot be used within the first 12 months of a tenancy.

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