Section 8 Notice — Generate Form 3A Online
Since 1 May 2026, all Section 8 notices must use the new Form 3A. Tenant City generates the correct form automatically — pre-filled with your tenancy details, the right statutory grounds, and the correct notice periods — ready for e-signature and service in minutes.
What is a Section 8 notice?
A Section 8 notice is the formal legal document a landlord must serve on a tenant before applying to court to end a tenancy on specified grounds. It is governed by Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. Common grounds include rent arrears (Ground 8), persistent late payment (Ground 11), and breach of tenancy conditions (Ground 12).
From 1 May 2026, following the commencement of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the prescribed form changed from Form 3 to Form 3A. Any notice served on the old Form 3 after that date is invalid.
Form 3A — what changed?
Form 3A reflects the reforms introduced by the Renters' Rights Act. Key changes include:
- Updated references to the reformed grounds for possession
- Revised notice periods for several grounds
- New wording explaining tenant rights under the reformed regime
- Removal of references to assured shorthold tenancies (replaced by periodic assured tenancies)
Tenant City always uses the current prescribed form — you never have to worry about downloading the wrong version from GOV.UK.
How Tenant City handles Section 8
- Pre-filled from your tenancy record — tenant names, property address, tenancy start date, and landlord details pulled in automatically.
- Grounds selection with guidance — select one or more statutory grounds; the platform shows you the required notice period for each.
- Correct form, always — Form 3A is used for all notices issued from 1 May 2026 onward.
- E-signature via Zoho Sign — sign and serve digitally with a full audit trail of delivery and signature.
- Status tracking — the notice status (pending, signed, declined) is displayed on your tenancy dashboard throughout the process.
Section 8 grounds — quick reference
| Ground | Reason | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ground 8 | At least 2 months' rent arrears at notice and hearing | Mandatory |
| Ground 10 | Some rent arrears at notice date | Discretionary |
| Ground 11 | Persistent late payment of rent | Discretionary |
| Ground 12 | Breach of tenancy obligation | Discretionary |
| Ground 13 | Deterioration of property or furniture | Discretionary |
| Ground 14 | Nuisance or annoyance to neighbours | Discretionary |
| Ground 17 | False statement induced tenancy | Discretionary |
This is a summary — always verify the current grounds and notice periods before issuing. Tenant City displays notice period requirements at the point of generation.
Section 21 is abolished — Section 8 is now the only route
From 1 May 2026, Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notices can no longer be issued. Section 8 is now the only legal route to end a tenancy that the tenant does not wish to leave. This makes understanding and correctly using the Section 8 grounds more important than ever.
Tenant City was built with this in mind. The Section 8 workflow is a core feature of the platform, not an afterthought.
Tenant City is free to start — Pro features including Section 8 generation are available on the Pro plan.
Start free — generate your first noticeThis page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify notice requirements with a solicitor if you are unsure.