--- title: Section 8 Court Proceedings - Helpland description: "Section 8 court proceedings in England: possession claims issued by our panel solicitors, representation at the hearing and enforcement. Fixed fees." image: https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-possession-order-guide-landlords.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings#main-content) [![Helpland tenant eviction specialists](https://helpland.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png?width=160&height=53&name=Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png "Helpland tenant eviction specialists")](https://helpland.co.uk/) - [Get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [Tenant not paying rent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Tenant has abandoned the property](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/14-day-abandonment-notice) - [Lodger or non-assured tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-to-quit) - [Commercial tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/commercial-evictions) - [Travellers on your land](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/traveller-evictions) - Services - [Section 8 notice](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8) - [Court proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings) - [County Court bailiffs](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/county-court-bailiff) - [High Court enforcement](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/high-court-sheriff) - [Notice of intent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-of-intent) - [Notice to quit proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-to-quit-court-proceedings) - [Letter of forfeiture](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/letter-of-forfeiture) - [Forfeiture proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/letter-of-forfeiture-proceedings) - [Areas we cover](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/areas-we-cover) - [Guides](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger) - [Contact us](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) - [Call 020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) Tenant Eviction # Section 8 Court Proceedings **Rated 4.8/5 on Google. One of only two NRLA-recommended eviction suppliers.** [Call 020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) [Get a Free Case Check](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) ## Your notice has expired. Your tenant hasn't left. The next step is a possession claim in the county court. We take your case from the expired Section 8 notice to a possession order, with the claim prepared and issued by our panel solicitors and representation arranged at the hearing. The short answer **What it is:** A possession claim in the county court once your Section 8 notice has expired and your tenant is still there. Our panel solicitors prepare and issue the claim and arrange representation at the hearing. **How long it takes:** Typically several weeks to a few months from issuing the claim, depending on how busy your local court is. Undefended cases are usually decided at the first hearing. **What it costs:** £1,450 including VAT and the £415 court fee. Fixed for undefended cases. ### When you need it - Your Section 8 notice period has ended and the tenant is still in the property. - Rent arrears are still building, and you want a money judgment for them too. - Your tenant has said they won't leave until a court tells them to. Since 1 May 2026, every possession claim in England goes to a hearing. Getting the paperwork right first time is what keeps your case moving. ### Section 8 Court Proceedings £1,450 Total price, including VAT and the £415 court fee. Our panel solicitors issue your possession and arrears claim and represent you at the first hearing. Defended claims are quoted separately. [Buy Now](https://app-eu1.hubspot.com/payments/M2yqzqM6c2fC) ![Section 8 - Proceedings (Possession & Arrears) image](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/slider-light-image.jpg?width=700&name=slider-light-image.jpg) ### Section 8 - Proceedings (Possession & Arrears) £862.50 **£1,450 including VAT and the £415 court fee** Don’t let tenant problems put your investment at risk. Get in touch with us today to reclaim your property and recover your rent. [Buy Now](https://app-eu1.hubspot.com/payments/M2yqzqM6c2fC) ## How it works 1. **Case review.** We check your notice, the grounds relied on, proof of service and deposit compliance before anything is filed. 2. **Claim issued.** Our panel solicitors prepare and issue the claim: Possession Claim Online for rent arrears only, or forms N5 and N119 for other grounds. The court fee is £415. 3. **Tenant responds.** The court serves the claim. The tenant has 14 days to file a defence. 4. **Hearing listed.** Listing times vary by court, typically several weeks to a few months. 5. **The hearing.** We arrange representation through our panel solicitors. For Ground 8, the arrears must still be at least 3 months on the day. 6. **The order.** On a mandatory ground, the court usually orders possession within 14 days, or up to 6 weeks for exceptional hardship. It can also make a money judgment for arrears and costs. ## What it costs Our court service is a fixed fee for undefended cases, confirmed in writing before we start. The court fee is £415. If the court adjourns or the tenant files a defence, we agree any extra cost with you before doing more work. If the tenant still won't leave after the order, a bailiff warrant costs £152. ## Why Helpland - **One of only two NRLA-recommended eviction suppliers.** - **3,200+ evictions completed,** with a 92% success rate. - **Rated 4.8/5 on Google.** - **Award-winning,** with over 20 years' experience and founded in 2010. - **Arrears included:** we add a claim for unpaid rent to your possession claim. ## Ready to go to court? Send us your notice and we'll check it's court-ready, and confirm the fixed cost. No obligation. [Call 020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) [Get a Free Case Check](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) ## Related guides - [Facing an Eviction Court Hearing](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/facing-an-eviction-court-hearing) - [Possession Order Guide for Landlords](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/possession-order-guide-landlords) - [How to File a Possession Claim Online (PCOL)](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/possession-claim-online-guide) ## FAQs ##### [How long does it take to get a possession order?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings#collapse1-dnd_area-module-6) From issuing the claim, typically several weeks to a few months, depending on how busy your local court is. Undefended cases are usually decided at the first hearing. ##### [Can I use the accelerated procedure?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings#collapse2-dnd_area-module-6) No. The accelerated, paper-only procedure was tied to Section 21, which ended in England on 1 May 2026. Section 8 claims go to a hearing. ##### [Can I claim the unpaid rent at the same time?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings#collapse3-dnd_area-module-6) Yes. We include the arrears in your possession claim, so the court can make a money judgment alongside the possession order. ##### [Do I need to attend the hearing?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings#collapse4-dnd_area-module-6) We arrange representation at the hearing through our panel solicitors. They may need you or your agent available to confirm facts, and we'll tell you in advance. ##### [What if the tenant defends the claim?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings#collapse5-dnd_area-module-6) Defended claims fall outside the fixed fee. We'll explain the options and agree any further costs with you before more work is done. ## Customer Testimonial At Helpland, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring your peace of mind. As a small business, we understand the significant impact of customer reviews. To help you feel confident in choosing us as your service provider, we have shared some of the feedback from our satisfied customers. We assessed our legal providers a year ago and discovered Helpland… We've partnered with them ever since and wholeheartedly endorse their services. ![Matthew Finch](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Website%20Assets/Matthew%20Finch.webp) Operations Director - Foxtons ##### Matthew Finch [![Helpland Logo](https://helpland.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png?width=250&height=83&name=Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png "Helpland Logo")](https://helpland.co.uk) **Reg Office:** 137 Watling Street, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7 7NQ Company No. 07338711 | VAT Reg No. 103 006291 ©2026 Helpland Ltd. [Follow us on Facebook](https://facebook.com/helplanduk) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpland/) [Follow us on X](https://x.com/helplandUK) #### Helpland - [Get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [About Us](https://helpland.co.uk/about) - [Contact Us](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) - [Tenant not paying rent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Section 8 notice](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8) - [Areas we cover](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/areas-we-cover) - [For letting agents](https://helpland.co.uk/letting-agents) - [Our fees](https://helpland.co.uk/fees) #### Resources - [Blog](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger) - [Terms & Conditions](https://helpland.co.uk/terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy Policy](https://helpland.co.uk/privacy-policy) #### Contact Phone [020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) Email [info@helpland.co.uk](mailto:info@helpland.co.uk) Address [Citibase Watford](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tftdba8aEkdUsXwK9)[42-44 Clarendon Rd Watford WD17 1JJ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tftdba8aEkdUsXwK9) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "email" : "info@helpland.co.uk", "founder" : { "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Managing Director", "name" : "Lee Daniels" }, "foundingDate" : "2010", "legalName" : "Helpland Ltd", "logo" : "https://143332599.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/143332599/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png", "name" : "Helpland", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpland/", "https://facebook.com/helplanduk", "https://x.com/helplandUK" ], "telephone" : "+44 20 3835 4446", "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/", "vatID" : "GB103006291" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#business", "@type" : "ProfessionalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "GB", "addressLocality" : "Watford", "postalCode" : "WD17 1JJ", "streetAddress" : "Citibase Watford, 42-44 Clarendon Road" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "England" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Wales" } ], "description" : "Fixed-fee tenant eviction specialists for landlords and letting agents in England: Section 8 notices, possession claims, County Court bailiff and High Court enforcement, notices to quit and commercial evictions. 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