Student Landlords and Ground 4A: When Can You Recover Possession?
England · private residential tenancies
Source checked: 9 September 2026

Ground 4A is a specific possession route for qualifying student HMOs in England needed for a new group of full-time students in the academic-year window from 1 June to 30 September. It normally requires four months’ notice, advance warning of the ground and compliance with the six-month agreement-to-start rule. It is not a general right to end every student tenancy each summer.

ACTION CHECKLIST
- Confirm qualifying HMO and full-time student facts.
- Check local licensing separately.
- Record agreement and occupation dates.
- Retrieve the advance warning and service evidence.
- Identify any transitional issue in an older tenancy.
- Plan the four-month notice and summer window correctly.
- Audit deposit and general possession requirements.
- Avoid promising availability before possession is secure.


Read the full guide: https://help4landlords.co.uk/guides/student-landlords-ground-4a/

Official sources:
Official Ground 4A conditions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grounds-for-possession-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/grounds-for-possession-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents
Student possession and transition guidance: https://www.gov.uk/assured-periodic-tenancies-tenants/if-your-landlords-wants-to-end-your-tenancy

General information, not tailored advice. Verify current requirements before acting.