As the abolition of Section 21 approaches, landlords across England and Wales are entering a new legal era.
No-fault evictions are on the way out, and with them, the simplicity landlords once relied on to regain possession. In their place comes a more demanding route: Section 8.
Unlike Section 21, which requires no explanation, Section 8 is a grounds-based eviction process. You must prove your case, and in court, that means your evidence must be airtight.
Here’s how landlords can prepare to win rent-arrears possession claims under the new 2025 rules, and why Helpland is your best ally in the courtroom.
Section 8 has always existed alongside Section 21, but many landlords avoided it due to its complexity. That’s about to change.
With Section 21 being abolished under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords will increasingly depend on Section 8, especially for rent arrears. But the burden of proof is far greater. You’re not just serving notice, you’re building a case.
Expect increased use of:
Courts will be stricter, and tenant defences more common. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to prove more than just a missed payment.
At the heart of most rent-related claims is Ground 8, a mandatory ground for possession, provided the tenant is in at least two full months of arrears at both the time of notice and the court hearing.
But reforms proposed for 2025 are changing the playing field. Judges may be instructed to consider:
This means landlords must go beyond the numbers. You’ll need clear documentation that tells the story of non-payment, consistently and indisputably.
Strong Section 8 claims depend on documentation. It’s no longer enough to say a tenant hasn’t paid, you need to prove it, and show the steps you’ve taken to resolve the issue.
A successful claim typically includes:
A complete rent statement, showing payment history and missed amounts
The signed tenancy agreement
Proof of deposit protection
Copies of messages or letters chasing arrears
A clear witness statement, particularly for discretionary grounds
This is where Helpland’s court-pack service comes into play. We don’t just tell you what you need, we prepare it for you, ensuring the bundle is complete, formatted, and court-ready.
Absolutely. Many landlords don’t realise they can combine multiple grounds on a single Section 8 notice.
For example, if your tenant is:
You can serve under both Ground 8 (mandatory arrears) and Ground 14 (discretionary behaviour). This adds strength to your case, especially if there’s a risk the tenant may reduce the arrears before the hearing.
However, this also increases complexity. Each ground must be legally justified and fully supported with documentation. Helpland ensures every notice is correctly served under Form 3, with the appropriate legal grounds and evidence for each.
Even when rent arrears are clear, landlords lose cases because of technical errors. Courts will reject claims if notices are incorrect, timelines don’t add up, or supporting documents are missing.
Some of the most frequent mistakes include:
Helpland’s role is to safeguard against exactly these kinds of mistakes. Every claim we prepare is checked by specialists, ensuring accuracy before it ever reaches the court.
Helpland’s Section 8 eviction service is designed for landlords who need more than just a template. You get full legal preparation, handled by experts who understand what judges look for.
Our service includes:
If you’re dealing with difficult tenants, combining rent arrears with other breaches, or simply want to avoid delays, this is the level of support that gives you the best chance of success.
Every week of unpaid rent chips away at your profitability. Yet many landlords delay action because they fear the legal complexity, or assume the tenant will catch up.
But here’s the reality:
Acting early not only protects your cash flow, it increases your chances of resolving the case before things spiral into long-term loss. A properly drafted and filed Section 8 case could be the difference between six weeks and six months of further arrears.
A rent schedule, signed tenancy agreement, and proof of arrears-related communication are critical. Helpland prepares and checks these for accuracy.
Thresholds haven’t officially changed yet, but under the 2025 rules, courts may be asked to assess causes of arrears more carefully, especially when Universal Credit delays are involved.
Yes. Combining mandatory and discretionary grounds strengthens your case and protects against late tenant payments disrupting a Ground 8 claim.
Once your court pack is finalised, we typically file within a few days. We work directly with the courts to reduce delays.
This can invalidate a Ground 8 claim. That’s why we often recommend adding discretionary grounds to protect your position.
With Section 21 on the way out, Section 8 is now the primary legal route to recover possession, but it demands precision.
Landlords who fail to prepare properly will lose valuable time, money, and patience.
Helpland removes the guesswork.
From notice to courtroom, we build strong cases that help you regain control of your property with minimal delay.
Start your Section 8 case today, and build one the courts can’t ignore.