Possession grounds - Renters' Rights Act 2025
From 1 May 2026
Landlords can no longer issue section 21 'no fault' evictions - landlords in the Private Rented Sector will no longer be able to use section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to evict their tenants. The Renters Rights Act will introduce Assured Periodic Tenancies in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) – the vast majority of new tenancies and existing tenancies in the PRS will become Assured Periodic Tenancies. This means tenants will be able to stay in their property for as long as they want, or until a landlord serves a valid section 8 notice. Tenants will be able to end their tenancy by giving two months’ notice.
Possession grounds in the PRS will be reformed so they are fair for both parties – landlords will only be able to evict tenants when they have a valid reason. Possession grounds will be extended to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants who commit anti-social behaviour, or who are in serious persistent rent arrears.
A landlord will have to issue a section 8 notice using the following mandatory and / or discretionary grounds.
Mandatory grounds
- Ground 1 - occupation by landlord or family
- Ground 1a - sale of dwelling house
- Ground 1b - sale of dwelling house that is part of Rent to Buy
- Ground 2 - sale by mortgagee
- Ground 2ZA - possession when superior lease ends
- Ground 2ZB - possession when fixed term superior lease ends
- Ground 27C - possession by superior landlord
- Ground 27D - possession by superior landlord (fixed term)
- Ground 4 - student accommodation
- Ground 4a - properties rented to students for occupation by new students
- Ground 5 - minister of religion
- Ground 5A - occupation by agricultural worker
- Ground 5B - occupation by person who meets employment requirements
- Ground 5C - end of employment by the landlord
- Ground 5D - end of employment rights
- Ground 5E - occupation as supported accommodation
- Ground 5F - dwelling-house occupied as supported accommodation
- Ground 5G - tenancy granted for homelessness duty
- Ground 5H - occupation as 'stepping stone accommodation'
- Ground 6 - redevelopment
- Ground 6A - decant accommodation
- Ground 6B - compliance with enforcement action
- Ground 7 - death of tenant
- Ground 7A - severe antisocial or criminal behaviour
- Ground 7B - no right to rent
- Ground 8 - rent arrears
Discretionary grounds
- Ground 9 – suitable alternative accommodation
- Ground 10 – any rent arrears
- Ground 11 – persistent arrears
- Ground 12 – breach of tenancy
- Ground 13 – deterioration of property
- Ground 14 – antisocial behaviour
- Ground 14A – domestic abuse
- Ground 14ZA – rioting
- Ground 15 - deterioration of furniture
- Ground 17 – false statement
- Ground 18 supported accommodation