Guidance Notes: Possession Procedure for Rent Arrears (Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988)

These Guidance Notes: Possession Procedure for Rent Arrears (Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988) are designed to guide landlords in England through the “standard procedure” for obtaining possession of a property let on an assured shorthold tenancy (AST). They are suitable for use where the landlord is seeking possession on the ground that there are arrears of rent.

These notes apply to England only. New rules for terminating occupation contracts in Wales under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 are now in place. Please see the Renting Homes Wales group for further information. 

The notes look at service of a Section 8 Notice, making an application to court for a possession order and taking enforcement action if the tenant does not vacate and/or pay the arrears as ordered. The relevant documents in our Residential Possession Proceedings – Standard Procedure subfolder are signposted.

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