Section 8 notice received. You have the right to stay.

Since 1 May 2026, section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished. Your landlord must now use a Section 8 notice citing a specific legal ground. Every ground can be challenged — either because the facts don’t support it, or because the procedure wasn’t followed correctly.

Ground 8 — Rent arrears (2+ months)

At least 2 months' (or 8 weeks') rent is unpaid both at the time of serving notice and at the date of the hearing.

Ground 10 — Some rent arrears

Some rent was unpaid at the time of serving the notice and at the date of the hearing. Discretionary — court must consider whether it is reasonable to grant possession.

Ground 11 — Persistent late payment

Tenant has persistently delayed paying rent even where no arrears exist at the notice date. Discretionary.

Ground 14 — Nuisance, annoyance, or criminal conviction

Tenant or person residing in or visiting the property has caused nuisance, annoyance, or been convicted of a relevant offence. Discretionary.

Ground 1 — Landlord requires property for own use

Landlord or close family member requires the property as their only or principal home. Also covers landlord intending to sell. Discretionary. Two months' notice required.

Another ground / I'm not sure

The full list of Section 8 grounds was revised by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

What ground is on your notice?

Select the Section 8 ground your landlord has cited.

Start My Claim builds your full written defence from your specific facts.

Section 8 notice received.

You have the right to stay.

section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished.

Your landlord must now use a Section 8 notice citing a specific legal ground. Every ground can be challenged — either because the facts don’t support it, or because the procedure wasn’t followed correctly.

Start My Claim checks your notice for procedural defects, identifies the strongest defences for your ground, and prepares your written response for the county court hearing.

notice for most grounds

required notice form

Two ways to challenge

The notice may be defective. The ground may not be made out.

1. Procedural defects

The notice must be on Form 3, state the correct ground clearly, give the legally required notice period, and be served in the right way. Any failure here makes the notice invalid — the landlord cannot proceed to court on a defective notice.

2. The ground is not made out

Even where the notice is valid, the landlord must prove at court that the ground is established on the facts. For discretionary grounds, they must also show it is reasonable to grant possession given your full circumstances.

From notice received to court-ready defence.

Act as soon as the notice arrives. Time limits on responding to court proceedings are strict.

Tell us about your notice

Answer questions about the notice: which ground is cited, the dates, the notice period given, and the facts alleged. We check every procedural requirement.

We build your defence

The system generates your N11 defence form (or equivalent), a written defence statement addressing the ground, and a checklist of supporting evidence — rent receipts, repair correspondence, medical evidence, etc.

Prepare for your hearing

A hearing preparation guide tells you what to bring, what to say when you arrive, how the hearing runs, and the questions the judge is likely to ask. You arrive ready.

What’s included at £127

Everything to defend your home in court.

Notice Validity Check

Full procedural audit of your Section 8 notice: form, ground, notice period, service method, and timing.

Written Defence Statement

A structured document addressing each element of the ground, your factual response, and (for discretionary grounds) why it is not reasonable to grant possession.

Tailored to your specific ground: what to gather, how to organise it, and what the court will expect to see.

N11 Defence Form Guide

Guidance on completing the county court defence form correctly — including the sections most people get wrong.

Hearing Preparation Guide

What to bring, what to say, how the hearing runs, what questions the judge will ask, and how to present yourself effectively as a litigant in person.

Plain-English analysis of the ground cited, whether it is mandatory or discretionary, the legal test the court applies, and your realistic prospects.

Simple, fixed pricing

Your home is worth defending properly.

£127 flat fee covers your notice check, written defence, evidence checklist, and full hearing preparation guide.

Possession Defence — per case

One-off · this case only

Beta · Full launch coming soon

Possession defence FAQ

Don’t let a notice go unanswered.

A Section 8 notice is the start of a legal process — not the end. You have the right to defend. Start My Claim prepares your defence for £127.

Beta · Fixed fee · Act before your court date

Respond to court papers immediately.

Once your landlord issues possession proceedings, you will receive an N5 claim form and a date for the hearing. You typically have 14 days to file a defence. Missing this deadline significantly weakens your position. Act as soon as papers arrive.

Section 21 transition:

Section 21 notices served before 1 May 2026 can still be enforced in court until 31 July 2026. After that date, landlords must use the new Section 8 grounds exclusively.

Sources: Housing Act 1988, Schedule 2 (Section 8 grounds, as amended by Renters’ Rights Act 2025) · Renters’ Rights Act 2025, ss.1–20 · Civil Procedure Rules, Part 55 (Possession claims) · Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims based on rent arrears · Protection from Eviction Act 1977, s.1 · MHCLG: How to rent guide (2026 edition)