youngsRPS Renters Rights Guide - Flipbook - Page 10
Grounds for Possession
8
Rent arrears
The tenant has at least 3 months9 (or 13 weeks9 if rent is
paid weekly or fortnightly) rent arrears both at the time
notice is served and at the time of the possession hearing.
4 weeks
Suitable alternative accommodation is available for
the tenant.
2 months
Discretionary grounds
9
Suitable alternative
accommodation
10
Any rent arrears
The tenant is in any amount of arrears.
4 weeks
11
Persistent arrears
The tenant has persistently delayed paying their rent,
4 weeks
12
Breach of tenancy
The tenant is guilty of breaching one of the terms of their
tenancy agreement (other than the paying of rent).
2 weeks
13
Deterioration of
property
The tenant has caused the condition of the property to
deteriorate.
2 weeks
14
Anti-social behaviour
The tenant or anyone living in or visiting the property has
been guilty of behaviour causing, or likely to cause,
nuisance or annoyance to the landlord, a person
employed in connection with housing management
functions, or anyone living in, visiting or in the locality of
the property. Or the tenant or a person living or visiting
the property has been convicted of using the premises for
illegal/immoral purposes or has been convicted of an
indictable offence in the locality.
Landlords can begin
proceedings
immediately
14A
Domestic Abuse
A social landlord wishes to evict the perpetrator of
domestic violence if the partner has fled and is unlikely to
return.
2 weeks
14ZA
Rioting
The tenant or another adult living at the property has
been convicted of an indictable offence which took place
at a riot in the UK.
2 weeks
15
Deterioration of
furniture
The tenant has caused the condition of the furniture to
deteriorate.
2 weeks
17
False statement
The tenancy was granted due to a false statement made
knowingly or recklessly by the tenant or someone acting
on their instigation.
2 weeks
18
Supported
accommodation
The tenancy is for supported accommodation, and the
tenant is refusing to engage with the support
4 weeks
The table of grounds has been taken from 8Guide to the Renter9 Rights Act, published on 6th November 2025 on gov.uk
8 | GROUNDS FOR POSSESSION
