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Section 8 grounds checker
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HouseFile keeps each property’s paperwork in one place, in case you ever need a Section 8 ground.
Every property gets its own file, with a reminder before any certificate expires. When you share documents with your tenant, you'll see when they open each one.
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Possession after the Renters’ Rights Act
On a mandatory ground, such as serious arrears or selling, the court must make the order if you prove the facts. Discretionary grounds, like persistent late payment, also leave the judge to decide whether eviction is reasonable.
Ground 8 needs arrears of at least three months' rent, both when you serve notice and at the hearing. The selling and moving-in grounds need a four-month notice period and can't end a tenancy in its first 12 months, though you can serve notice earlier.
Every ground in detail: Section 8 eviction grounds in 2026 and Section 21 abolished: what landlords need to know.
General guidance for landlords in England, not legal advice. Possession claims have serious consequences, so take advice on your specific case. Last reviewed September 2026.