Section 8 in 2026: which ground, which form, and what the court actually needs

A plain-English walkthrough of the Section 8 possession process in England — the right form, the mandatory and discretionary grounds, the notice periods, and the evidence the county court expects.

Section 8 in 2026: ground, form, notice period, evidence

Short answer. To start a possession claim under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 in England, you serve Form 3A ("Notice seeking possession of a property let on an assured tenancy or an assured agricultural occupancy"), the notice form prescribed under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 for assured periodic tenancies in England. You must identify the statutory grounds in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 you are relying on, give the correct notice period for those grounds, and — if the tenant does not leave — issue a possession claim in the county court using Form N5 with Form N119 (particulars of claim for possession).

Scope: this guide describes possession of an assured/assured shorthold tenancy in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland operate different rules.

The statutory framework

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