Section 8 Notice Checker
England · for notices given on or after 1 May 2026 (Renters' Rights Act 2025) · checks the notice, the grounds and the defences to raise
A Section 8 notice is not an eviction. It is the landlord saying they may apply to court. You do not have to leave when it runs out. Only a court order followed by court bailiffs can make you leave — anyone who forces you out, changes the locks or cuts off your supply without that is committing a crime (Protection from Eviction Act 1977). Fill in what you know below; the checks update as you go. This is a checking tool, not legal advice — take what it finds to Shelter or Citizens Advice.
Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
The notice
The grounds ticked on the notice
Tick every ground number the notice gives. Mandatory: if the landlord proves it, the court must order possession. Discretionary: the court also has to decide it is reasonable to evict you.
Mandatory
Discretionary
Less common grounds (social landlords, employers, supported housing, students)
Rent arrears (Grounds 8, 10, 11)
Your deposit
Your circumstances
These only count on discretionary grounds, where the court must decide whether evicting you is reasonable. Tick what applies.
What the checks found
The grounds on your notice
What to do next
- Stay put and keep paying what you can. Keep proof of every payment. Paying down arrears before the hearing can defeat Ground 8.
- Get free advice now — Shelter, Citizens Advice or a Law Centre. If you are on a low income you may get free legal aid for possession cases.
- If court papers arrive, reply within 14 days using the defence form that comes with them (Form N11R). Put every point from this page in it.
- Go to the hearing. Free on-the-day legal help is available at court through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service — ask the court staff.
- Tell your council if you might lose your home within 8 weeks: they have a legal duty to help prevent homelessness.
Prepared with the Savvy Renter Section 8 notice checker (savvyrenter.co.uk) on . Based on the Housing Act 1988 Schedule 2 and s8 as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, Housing Act 2004 s215, and GOV.UK guidance for tenants. Not legal advice. Nothing entered here is stored or sent anywhere.
Questions renters ask: I've been given a section 8 notice. Do I have to leave by the date on it? · I was given a section 21 notice. Is it still valid? · My landlord is selling the house I rent. Do I have to move out? · Can my landlord evict me for complaining about repairs or reporting them to the council? · My landlord has changed the locks or told me to get out today. What do I do? · all questions