Form 3A
The prescribed government form for a section 8 notice seeking possession of a private assured tenancy in England, used since 1 May 2026.
In short: Form 3A is the official form a private landlord in England uses to serve a section 8 notice of intention to seek possession. It names the grounds, explains them and gives the date after which court proceedings can start. Forms 3 and 4 are for social housing and are not used by private landlords.
Ending a tenancy and possession
英格蘭。 已於 5 October 2026 對照法律查核. 僅供參考，並非法律建議。
The form is published on GOV.UK with the other assured tenancy forms. It has to be the current version, filled in completely: the grounds relied on, the explanation of each, and the earliest date proceedings can begin, worked out from the ground's notice period.
Points worth knowing:
- An out-of-date or incomplete form may make the notice invalid.
- The form includes information for the tenant about getting advice.
- Serving it does not end the tenancy; only a court order does.
This site explains the form but never fills it in or serves it: possession should go through a solicitor, a landlord association or, for tenants, a housing adviser.
Read more: Getting your property back after section 21
Related: Section 8 notice, Form 4A
資料來源
Guides on this
Guide
What changed for landlords on 1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act came into force in England on 1 May 2026. Section 21 is gone, every tenancy is now periodic, and rent rises follow one procedure. Here is what a self-managing landlord actually has to do differently.
Guide
What to do when a tenant stops paying rent
Rent arrears in England: check the facts, talk early, agree a plan in writing and keep records. If it cannot be solved, possession is by section 8 notice and a court order only. Never change the locks.
Guide
Getting your property back after section 21
Without section 21, possession in England depends on the grounds in Schedule 2. The main ones a self-managing landlord uses, the notice periods, and why LevelMoves hands this to a human.
Guide
How to protect a tenancy deposit, and what happens if you are late
Put the deposit in one of the three government schemes within 30 days and give the prescribed information. If late, the tenant can claim one to three times the deposit and most possession grounds close.
Related terms
Glossary
Grounds for possession (ground 1, 1A and 8)
The reasons in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 on which a landlord can seek possession. Some are mandatory, some discretionary; the main ones are moving in, selling and arrears.
Glossary
Harassment of a tenant
Acts by a landlord or anyone for them that are likely to interfere with a tenant's peace or comfort, meant to make them leave or stop using their rights. A criminal offence.
Glossary
Illegal eviction
Making a tenant leave, or keeping them out, without a court order and bailiffs: changing locks, removing belongings or cutting off services. A criminal offence.
Glossary
Possession order
A county court order that the tenant must give the home back by a date. Only a possession order, enforced by bailiffs if needed, lawfully ends a tenant's right to stay.
Glossary
Section 21 notice (abolished)
The "no fault" notice a landlord could use to end an assured shorthold tenancy without a reason. Abolished in England from 1 May 2026, for old and new tenancies alike.
Glossary
Section 8 notice
The notice a landlord in England serves to start ending an assured tenancy, on Form 3A, naming one or more grounds for possession and the facts behind them.