Ground for possession
The legal reason a landlord must prove to evict a tenant.
4 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
A ground for possession is the legal reason a landlord must prove to a court to recover a property. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, Section 21 is abolished, so landlords use a list of mandatory and discretionary grounds — for example serious rent arrears, the landlord moving in, selling, or the tenant causing nuisance. Each ground has its own notice period and conditions.
Legal requirements
- Serve the correct notice for the ground relied on.
- Prove the ground to a court — a possession order is needed.
- Respect any protected period for new tenancies (some grounds cannot be used early in a tenancy).
Common mistakes
- Relying on a ground without the evidence to prove it.
- Using the wrong notice period for the ground.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.