What is a Section 8 eviction notice?

A Section 8 notice is the only way your landlord can now legally start the eviction process. Unlike the old Section 21, they must state a specific legal reason — called a "ground" — for wanting you to leave.

There are many grounds under Section 8. The most common ones are: serious rent arrears (now set at three months or more), persistent anti-social behaviour, or the landlord needing to sell or move back into the property. Each ground has its own required notice period — most are now four months, though serious cases like violence can be shorter.

The notice must be on the official government form (Form 3A from 1 May 2026). If your landlord uses an old form or fills it in incorrectly, it can be challenged.

Receiving a Section 8 notice doesn't mean you have to leave immediately. Your landlord still has to go to court and get a possession order if you don't leave voluntarily. The court will check whether the stated ground is valid.

If you get a Section 8 notice, read it carefully and note the ground being used. Then visit shelter.org.uk to understand whether that ground applies to your situation and whether the notice looks valid.