N119 — Particulars of claim for possession (rented residential premises)

N119 is the standard particulars of claim form a landlord files with N5 when starting a county court possession claim for rented residential premises in England. Reference page sourced from GOV.UK and the Civil Procedure Rules.

What it is: N119 is the particulars of claim form that accompanies an N5 claim form when a landlord starts a county court possession claim for rented residential premises in England. It sets out the facts the landlord relies on, including the tenancy details, the ground for possession, any rent arrears, and the orders the landlord asks the court to make.

Statutory authority: Civil Procedure Rules Part 55. N119 is the prescribed particulars of claim form published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service for standard possession claims of rented residential premises.

RRA 2025 status: active — N5 + N119 is the standard county court route for possession claims under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 — and is the only route available for tenancies converted to periodic by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

When to use

• Starting a standard county court possession claim against an assured or assured shorthold tenant in England, served alongside the N5 claim form.
• Relying on Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 — typically rent arrears (Grounds 8 / 10 / 11), breach of tenancy (Ground 12), anti-social behaviour (Ground 14), or landlord moving in / selling (Grounds 1 / 1A).
• Where the landlord wants the court to determine both possession and any money claim (rent arrears, mesne profits, costs) in the same proceedings.

When NOT to use

• Where the landlord is using the accelerated possession procedure based on a valid Section 21 notice — use N5B instead (and only where Section 21 is still available for that tenancy).
• Where the property is in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• To start a money-only claim with no possession element — use the appropriate Part 7 or Part 8 money claim forms instead.

Common mistakes that invalidate it

• Filing N119 without the supporting Section 8 notice or with a defective notice.
• Failing to attach a rent schedule when claiming arrears — the court needs a clear, dated breakdown.
• Vague particulars on discretionary grounds — courts can strike out particulars that fail to set out the facts the landlord will rely on at trial.
• Missing the pre-action protocol for rent arrears claims by social landlords (where applicable).
• Naming the wrong tenant(s), giving the wrong address, or stating the wrong tenancy start date.

FAQ

Do I file N119 on its own? No. N119 is the particulars of claim that supports an N5 claim form for possession. Both are filed together at the county court, along with the Section 8 notice and supporting evidence.

Can I claim rent arrears on N119? Yes. The standard possession claim using N5 + N119 can determine both possession and any money claim — rent arrears, mesne profits, and costs — in the same proceedings.

What evidence should I attach? The tenancy agreement, the Section 8 notice with proof of service, a dated rent schedule showing the arrears (where claimed), and any evidence supporting the specific ground relied on (for example tenancy correspondence, photographs, or police logs for anti-social behaviour).

Can I file N5 + N119 online? GOV.UK provides Possession Claim Online (PCOL) for many county court possession claims. Check the PCOL eligibility rules before filing — not every claim is eligible.

Sources: - Civil Procedure Rules Part 55 (justice.gov.uk) — https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part55 - GOV.UK — Give details of a claim for possession of a rented residential property: Form N119 — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/give-details-of-a-claim-for-possession-of-a-rented-residential-property-form-n119 - GOV.UK — Possession claim online — https://www.gov.uk/possession-claim-online-recover-property - Housing Act 1988, Section 8 (legislation.gov.uk) — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/section/8

Last reviewed: 2026-09-13. Next review: 2027-09-13.