A Section 8 notice is not an eviction order. If the tenant does not leave by the end of the notice period, the landlord must apply to the County Court for a possession order. The court process is the stage where many landlords lose time — through procedural errors, incorrect forms, or misunderstanding what happens at the hearing. This guide covers the court process step by step from the date the notice expires to enforcement.
Do not file the claim before the notice period expires
Filing a possession claim before the Section 8 notice period has fully expired is a procedural error. The court will reject the claim or the defendant can apply to have it struck out. Double-check the notice expiry date before filing — particularly for postal service, where 2 working days must be added to the posting date.
Step 1 — Issuing the possession claim
- File a possession claim using Form N5 (claim for possession of property) and Form N119 (particulars of claim for possession — rented residential premises)
- Claims can be filed online at the Ministry of Justice possession claim portal, or in person at the County Court
- Court fee (2026): £391 for a standard possession claim — fee remission may be available for landlords on qualifying benefits
- Serve the claim on the defendant (tenant) — the court serves the claim by post to the property address; landlords may also serve personally
- Check that the tenancy address on Form N5 exactly matches the address in the tenancy agreement and Section 8 notice
Step 2 — The possession hearing
- The court will list the hearing approximately 4–8 weeks after the claim is issued — this is a first hearing, not a full trial
- The hearing is held in the County Court serving the property's postcode — prepare to attend in person
- Bring to the hearing: the Section 8 notice, proof of service, the tenancy agreement, rent account statement, the EICR, gas safety record, EPC, How to Rent guide, and deposit protection certificate
- Mandatory grounds (e.g. Ground 8 — serious arrears, Ground 1A — sale): if the ground is proven, the court must grant possession. The tenant's personal circumstances are irrelevant
- Discretionary grounds (e.g. Ground 10 — any arrears, Ground 12 — breach of term): the court considers whether it is reasonable to grant possession — the tenant's circumstances are relevant
Outcomes at the possession hearing
- Outright possession order: The court grants possession — the tenant must vacate by a specified date, typically 14 days from the order (up to 42 days in exceptional hardship cases)
- Suspended possession order: The court grants possession but suspends it on conditions (typically, the tenant continues to pay rent and clears arrears at a rate set by the court). If the conditions are breached, the landlord can apply for a warrant without a new hearing
- Adjournment: The court adjourns the hearing for more evidence or to allow the tenant time to remedy the ground (e.g. clear arrears before the next hearing date)
- Claim dismissed: If the landlord cannot prove the ground, or if there is a procedural defect in the notice or claim, the court will dismiss the claim — the landlord must start again
Step 3 — Enforcement (if the tenant does not leave)
- If the tenant does not vacate by the possession order date, apply for a warrant of possession (Form N325) — court fee: £143
- The County Court issues the warrant and schedules a bailiff appointment — County Court Bailiff waiting times in 2026 are typically 4–8 weeks
- If faster enforcement is needed: apply to transfer enforcement to the High Court (Form N293A) — a High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) can typically act within days of transfer
- On the enforcement date: the bailiff (or HCEO) attends the property and physically removes the tenant if they have not left
- The landlord can be present at enforcement — useful to change locks immediately after the eviction
Total timeline from first notice to eviction
- Ground 8 (arrears — 4 weeks' notice): Notice (4 weeks) + claim issue to hearing (4–8 weeks) + possession order to bailiff (4–8 weeks) = 3–5 months total
- Ground 1A (sale — 4 months' notice): Notice (4 months) + claim to hearing (4–8 weeks) + enforcement (4–8 weeks) = 6–8 months total
- Ground 14 (nuisance — immediate notice): Notice + claim to first hearing (4–8 weeks) + enforcement (4–8 weeks) = 2–4 months total
- These are best-case estimates — a contested hearing, an adjournment, or a suspended order can add months
- Rent guarantee insurance is strongly recommended for mortgaged properties to cover rental income during proceedings