How to fill in Form 3A, section by section

The short answer

Form 3A has six sections. You complete four of them: the tenant and property (section 1), the earliest date you can apply to court (section 2), your grounds and reasons (section 4) and your details and signature (section 5). Sections 3 and 6 are fixed information for the tenant. The parts that most often go wrong are the date in question 2.1 and the legal wording and explanation in questions 4.2 and 4.3.

This guide goes through each section using a rent arrears example. It is based on the gov.uk form (version 05.26) and is general information for landlords in England, not legal advice.

Before you start

Since 1 May 2026, private landlords in England use Form 3A, not Form 3, to seek possession of an assured tenancy. Section 21 notices were abolished for private tenancies on the same date. Form 3 is now for the social rented sector.

Check these points before you fill anything in:

• Pick the right grounds. Each ground has its own conditions and notice period. See Section 8 notice periods for every ground.
• Breathing Space. If you rely on rent arrears grounds (8, 10 or 11), do not serve while the tenant is in a Breathing Space.
• Gather evidence. You will need it in court. For arrears, that means a rent statement and copies of any letters you have sent.

The example we will use

Section 1: the tenant’s details

1.1 Full name(s) of tenant(s). If it is a joint tenancy, you must list every tenant. Missing one is a common and avoidable error.

1.2 The property. Give the full address of the property you are seeking possession of, including any flat number and the postcode.

Section 2: earliest date you can apply to court

2.1 asks for the earliest date you can begin court proceedings. To work it out:

1. Find the notice period for each ground you rely on.
2. Take the longest one.
3. Count it from the date the tenant receives the notice.
4. The earliest court date is the day after that period ends.

If you rely on Ground 7A or 14 (antisocial behaviour), you may enter the date you serve the notice and apply to court immediately.

Our tools allow 2 business days for post, 1 business day for leaving the notice at the property or email, and none for handing it over. These are conservative planning allowances, not statutory deemed-service rules.

In our example, all three grounds carry four weeks’ notice:

You can enter a later date, but never an earlier one.

Section 3: latest date to apply to court

You do not fill this in. It tells the tenant that the notice is normally valid for 12 months from service, and that this can be extended if the tenant enters a Breathing Space. In our example, served on 2 November 2026, the notice would normally stop being valid on 2 November 2027.

Section 4: your reasons for seeking possession

This is the heart of the notice. It has three parts.

4.1 Common reasons (optional)

A tick-box list of common reasons, summarised in plain English. You may tick any that apply. It does not cover every ground, and there is an “Other” box for grounds not listed. In our example, tick both:

• the box for rent arrears of more than 13 weeks or 3 months (Ground 8), and
• the box for some unpaid rent or persistent late payment (Grounds 10 or 11).

4.2 The grounds you rely on (mandatory)

Set out each ground you rely on, as it appears in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988. You must quote the full legal wording of every ground. Do not summarise or shorten it. The gov.uk document “Form 3A: Legal wording for possession grounds” has the text for every ground.

Our Section 8 notice page inserts the full legal wording for the grounds you choose, so you do not need to copy it out.

4.3 Your explanation (mandatory)

For each ground, explain in your own words why it applies. Be specific and factual. Give dates and amounts. Avoid opinions and anything you cannot prove.

For our example, an explanation for Ground 8 might read:

The rent is £950 per month, due on the 1st of each month. The tenant has not paid the rent due on 1 August, 1 September, 1 October and 1 November 2026. On the date of this notice, £3,800 is unpaid. This is more than three months’ rent (£2,850). A rent statement is attached.

For Ground 10, explain that rent is unpaid on the date of the notice. For Ground 11, describe the pattern of late payment, with dates. Keep a copy of the rent statement you refer to.

Remember that Ground 8 needs at least three months’ rent unpaid both when you serve the notice and at the hearing. If the tenant pays enough to bring the arrears below £2,850 before the hearing, Ground 8 cannot succeed. That is why landlords often add Grounds 10 and 11. See rent arrears: Ground 8 vs Grounds 10 and 11.

Section 5: your details and signature

Joint landlords can each sign in the additional signatures box, or agree that one landlord signs for all.

Section 6: information for tenants

You do not complete section 6, but it must be included in full. It tells the tenant they do not have to leave immediately, that only a court can order them to leave, and where to get advice, including on rent arrears and Breathing Space. Do not remove it.

After you have completed the form

1. Check every tenant is named and the address is correct.
2. Check the date in 2.1 against the longest notice period.
3. Sign and date section 5.
4. Give a copy to every tenant and keep a copy yourself.
5. Record how and when you served it. Complete form N215 or write “served by [your name] on [date]” on your copy, and keep proof of posting.

If the tenant does not leave, you must apply to court for a possession order. Never change the locks or harass the tenant.

Common mistakes on Form 3A

• Using the old Form 3 instead of Form 3A.
• Leaving out a joint tenant in question 1.1.
• Summarising the legal wording in question 4.2 instead of quoting it in full.
• A date in question 2.1 based on the shortest notice period rather than the longest.
• A vague explanation in question 4.3, without dates or amounts.
• Serving on rent arrears grounds while the tenant is in a Breathing Space.
• Forgetting to sign section 5, or removing section 6.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add more grounds after serving the notice?

Fill in every ground you intend to rely on before you serve. If you need to add grounds later, take advice, as you may need to serve a new notice.

Do I have to tick a box in question 4.1?

No. Question 4.1 is optional. Questions 4.2 and 4.3 are mandatory.

How detailed should my explanation be?

Detailed enough for the tenant to understand exactly why each ground applies. Use dates, amounts and facts you can prove.

Can my agent sign Form 3A?

Yes. Someone authorised to give notice on the landlord’s behalf can sign. Tick “Agent” in question 5.2.

What if I get the date in question 2.1 wrong?

If the date is too early, the notice may be defective and you may have to start again with a new notice. Check it carefully, or let our tool calculate it.

Can I serve Form 3A by email?

Only if your tenancy agreement allows notices to be served by email. Otherwise, hand it over, leave it at the property or post it, and keep proof.

Next steps

• Create your notice on the Section 8 notice (Form 3A) page. It includes the legal wording and calculates question 2.1.
• Send a clear rent arrears letter first if you have not already.
• Check notice periods in Section 8 notice periods for every ground.
• Plan service and proof with how to serve a notice.

Possession claims are high-stakes: if the tenant disputes the claim, speak to a solicitor; tenants can get advice from Shelter.