Help 4 Landlords
Plan possession before selling or moving in
From 1 May 2026, landlords in England may use revised Ground 1 to move in or Ground 1A to sell when the statutory conditions are met. Possession generally cannot be required during the first 12 months, and at least four months' notice is normally required.
From 1 May 2026, landlords in England may use revised Ground 1 to move in or Ground 1A to sell when the statutory conditions are met. Possession generally cannot be required during the first 12 months, and at least four months' notice is normally required.
What this helps you protect
- Plan marketing or family occupation around the statutory timetable
- Gather evidence of genuine intention before serving
- Understand post-possession restrictions on reletting
- Avoid treating a rolling tenancy as a guaranteed vacant-possession date
A genuine intention to sell or occupy must be supported, not merely asserted. Depending on the ground, useful evidence may include an estate-agent instruction, valuation, mortgage correspondence, a written plan for occupation or information about the family member concerned. The required possession date needs to respect the initial 12-month protection.
Case preparation
Why the file matters as much as the form
The four-month notice is not a promise that the property will be vacant on that date. If the tenant does not agree to leave, the court process follows. Restrictions after using the ground are designed to prevent the stated reason being used as a short route to a different letting.
A careful review also helps the landlord distinguish what is known from what still needs proof. That supports a realistic discussion about cost, timing and whether voluntary resolution should be attempted before the next formal stage.
Useful documents to gather
- Written tenancy, lease or occupation terms
- Payment schedule and supporting records
- Deposit and statutory information where relevant
- Repairs, inspections, correspondence and incident evidence
- Every notice, court order or letter already sent
A clear route
How the staged process works
The exact law and forms depend on the case, but the working method is consistent: understand, verify, act and review before escalating.
Start with the facts
Explain the tenancy or occupation, what has happened, the outcome you need and any deadlines. A clear chronology helps identify the relevant jurisdiction and route.
Review the evidence
Bring the written terms, payment record, deposit information, prescribed documents, correspondence, photographs and any previous notice. Missing evidence is easier to address before proceedings begin.
Choose and complete the correct step
The notice, pre-action letter, claim or enforcement application must match the facts. The aim is a defensible file, not paperwork issued for speed alone.
Progress only when the legal trigger is met
If the tenant or debtor does not resolve the matter, the next stage is discussed with its cost, evidence and court or enforcement dependency made clear.
Transparent residential pricing
Start with the stage your case needs
For standard residential possession work, Strike 1 is £200. Strike 2 starts from £700 plus £452 court fees. The current facts and paperwork are reviewed before confirming scope. Commercial, defended, complex, enforcement, tracing and debt matters are quoted separately.
Common questions
Questions landlords ask about this route
Can I use the selling ground in the first year?
Possession normally cannot be required under Ground 1A during the first 12 months, although timing of a notice should be checked carefully.
How much notice is required?
Grounds 1 and 1A generally require at least four months' notice under the post-May-2026 rules.
What proves an intention to sell?
Evidence may include an estate-agent instruction, valuation or other contemporaneous steps, depending on the facts.
Can I relet after using the selling ground?
Restrictions apply. Obtain current advice before marketing or reletting following possession.
Does the tenant have to leave when notice expires?
Not without agreement or a court order. If they remain, the landlord must use the possession process.
Make the first review productive
Bring the documents in date order and identify the outcome you need, any urgent deadline and anything the tenant disputes. That gives the case handler a clearer starting point, reduces repeated requests and helps separate immediate action from later court, recovery or enforcement decisions.