Which ground do I use, and how much notice does it need?

Section 8 requires you to state a legal ground. For rent arrears, the main mandatory ground now generally needs at least three months’ (or the equivalent) arrears both when you serve the notice and at the hearing, with four weeks’ notice. To sell (Ground 1A) or move in (Ground 1) you generally need four months’ notice and can’t use those grounds in the first 12 months. Other grounds carry their own notice periods. Choosing the wrong ground or the wrong period can make the whole notice invalid and cost you months, so GitLaw asks about your situation and prepares the notice on the ground that fits. Confirm the current grounds and periods for your case — this isn’t legal advice.

What form is a Section 8 notice on now — Form 3 or Form 3A?

Since 1 May 2026 the prescribed Section 8 form is Form 3A (it replaced the old Form 3), or a form substantially to the same effect. A notice on the old form or with the wrong prescribed information can be challenged. GitLaw prepares the notice on the current Form 3A with the grounds and notice period completed for you. Always check you’re using the current prescribed form before serving.

How long does eviction take now the accelerated procedure is gone?

Longer than it used to. The accelerated, paper-only possession procedure went away with Section 21, so possession claims now go through a court hearing. In outline: serve the correct Section 8 notice and wait out the notice period; if the tenant stays, issue a possession claim at court; attend a hearing; and, if you get an order and the tenant still doesn’t leave, apply for a warrant so a county court bailiff (or, on transfer, a High Court enforcement officer) carries out the eviction. Court timescales vary. GitLaw prepares the documents at each step; you file and attend.

Can I just change the locks or turn off the utilities?

Never do this — in the UK and in the US. Changing the locks, removing a tenant’s belongings, or cutting off utilities to force someone out is a criminal offence in England and Wales under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, and illegal self-help eviction in all 50 US states. Only a court, enforced by a bailiff, sheriff or marshal, can lawfully remove a tenant. Doing it yourself can lead to prosecution, fines, and having to compensate the tenant. GitLaw only ever prepares lawful notices and court documents.

How many days’ notice do I give in the US, and can I file it myself?

In the US, the required notice depends entirely on your state and the reason. For unpaid rent, some states use a short pay-or-quit notice (for example, three days in California and Texas, or a 14-day rent demand in New York); others differ. Cure-or-quit and unconditional-quit notices have their own rules. GitLaw prepares a notice shaped to your state and situation. One important limit: if you own the property through an LLC or company, many courts (including in New York and Florida) won’t let a company file an eviction case without a lawyer — so you’ll likely need an attorney to file, even though GitLaw can prepare the paperwork.

Is GitLaw a lawyer, and who actually serves and files?

GitLaw is a document-preparation and guidance tool, not a law firm, and it doesn’t give legal advice or represent you. It helps you pick the right notice for your situation, prepares it and the court-claim pack, and explains the steps in plain language. You serve the notice and file the claim yourself (or through a solicitor or attorney). For anything contested, high-value, or where a company must be represented, get a qualified lawyer.

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Evict a tenant — the legal way

Section 21 is abolished in England, so getting the ground and the notice right is now the hard part. GitLaw prepares the correct Section 8 notice on Form 3A — or your state’s notice in the US — and the court pack. You serve and file. Never change the locks.

Post-Renters’-Rights-Act, correct grounds

England & US-state aware

Never self-evict — lawful notices only

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How eviction actually works now

Five steps — never a lock change, always a lawful notice

Since Section 21 was abolished in England, you can’t just give notice — you have to pick a lawful ground, use the right form, give the right notice period, and go through the court. Get any of it wrong and the notice is invalid. GitLaw prepares each document in order, starting from the correct notice.

Example first page of a Section 8 notice for 14 Alder Road, Manchester M20 3AB, prepared 6 August 2026. This is a sample — your own notice is generated from your details and the ground that fits. GitLaw prepares it; you serve it.

Possession-claim pack

If the notice period passes and the tenant hasn’t left, the next step is a possession claim at the county court — there’s no paper-only shortcut now that Section 21 is gone. GitLaw prepares the claim pack: the claim form and particulars of claim, and, for an arrears case, a rent schedule setting out what’s owed and when. We prepare it; you file it at court and pay the court fee. From here it’s a court process, so if it’s contested or high-value, consider a solicitor.

No credit card required. GitLaw prepares it; you serve and file.

Most “how to evict a tenant” guides are now out of date

On 1 May 2026 the Renters’ Rights Act abolished Section 21 “no-fault” eviction in England and removed the accelerated, paper-only possession route. Possession now runs through Section 8 on a stated ground, using the prescribed Form 3A, and through a court hearing. A lot of the “how to evict” guides and templates online still describe the old system — using them can invalidate your notice.

AbolishedSection 21 “no-fault” evictions in England, since 1 May 2026

Form 3AThe prescribed Section 8 form now (it replaced the old Form 3)

All 50US states where self-help eviction — locks, utilities, removals — is illegal

Sources: gov.uk guidance on repossessing rented property after 1 May 2026; Protection from Eviction Act 1977; Nolo on illegal self-help eviction. The Renters’ Rights Act applies to England only — Wales and Scotland have their own systems, and US rules vary by state. Figures are current at publication and not legal advice.

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Who’s preparing this

GitLaw is an AI agent for your legal documents

It works out the right ground for your situation, prepares the notice and the court pack in order, and keeps everything versioned — while being clear about what applies where. It’s not a lawyer and doesn’t give legal advice.

Correct grounds, current formIn England the notice follows the post-Renters’-Rights-Act rules — Section 8 on a lawful ground, the prescribed Form 3A, and the correct notice period. No stale Section 21 templates.

You serve and file — we prepareGitLaw prepares the documents and explains the steps; you serve the notice and file the claim (or use a solicitor or attorney). It’s not a law firm and doesn’t give legal advice or represent you.

Never self-evictionEvery document is a lawful notice or court filing. GitLaw will never help you self-evict — changing the locks or shutting off utilities is a criminal offence in the UK and illegal in all 50 US states.

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