Ground 7A · MandatoryUpdated June 20261-month notice only

Section 8 Ground 7A Serious Antisocial Behaviour —Complete Landlord Guide England 2026

Section 8 Ground 7A serious antisocial behaviour is a mandatory possession ground that allows landlords in England to evict a tenant where there has been a qualifying criminal conviction, a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), a court injunction, or a closure order relating to the property. This guide explains every qualifying condition, the 1-month notice period, the evidence required, and how to generate a valid Form 3A notice.

Ground 7A at a glance

Ground7A (Housing Act 1988)
TypeMandatory
Notice period1 month minimum
Protected periodNone
Form requiredForm 3A (not Form 3)
Conviction needed?Yes — or CBO/injunction/closure
England only✓ (not Wales)
✓ Mandatory — court must grant possession if proved✓ Shortest notice period of any Section 8 ground✓ Updated for Renters' Rights Act 2025✓ No 12-month protected period
🚨

Ground 7A requires a qualifying conviction or court order. You cannot use Ground 7A based on complaints or reports alone. If the tenant has not yet been convicted or made subject to a CBO or injunction, use Ground 14 (discretionary) while pursuing a court order.

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Select Ground 7A in the tool below. The 1-month notice period will be calculated automatically from your service date.

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MANDATORY

Court must grant possession if ground is proven

DISCRETIONARY

Court decides whether to grant possession

What Is Section 8 Ground 7A?

Ground 7A is a mandatory possession ground under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988, inserted by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and updated by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It allows landlords to seek possession where a tenant, household member, or visitor has met one of five qualifying conditions — including a criminal conviction for a serious offence, a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), or a closure order.

Ground 7A is mandatory. Where the landlord proves one of the qualifying conditions at court, the judge must grant a possession order — the judge has no discretion to refuse on grounds of reasonableness, unlike discretionary grounds such as Ground 14.

Ground 7A also carries the shortest notice period of any Section 8 ground: just 1 month. There is no 12-month protected period. This reflects the seriousness of the behaviour and the urgency of removing risk from other residents.

Official sources

Ground 7A and Schedule 2A are set out in the Housing Act 1988, Schedule 2. The qualifying offences are listed in Schedule 2A of the Housing Act 1988. For landlord guidance, see the NRLA and GOV.UK antisocial behaviour guidance.

The Five Qualifying Conditions for Ground 7A

Ground 7A only applies if at least one of the following five conditions is met. The condition may be met by the named tenant, a household member, or a visitor to the property.

A

Condition A — Conviction for a Schedule 2A offence

High urgencyNotice: 1 month

The tenant, a household member, or visitor has been convicted of a serious offence listed in Schedule 2A of the Housing Act 1988. The offence must have been committed in the locality of, or against someone at, the property.

Examples:

  • •Possession or supply of Class A drugs near the property
  • •Violent disorder (s.2 Public Order Act 1986)
  • •Possession of an offensive weapon
  • •Arson
  • •Sexual offences against a person in the locality
B

Condition B — Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)

High urgencyNotice: 1 month

The tenant, household member, or visitor is subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) made because of antisocial behaviour affecting persons in the locality of the property.

Examples:

  • •CBO prohibiting contact with named neighbours
  • •CBO banning attendance at certain locations near the property
C

Condition C — Court injunction (Part 1 ABCPA 2014)

High urgencyNotice: 1 month

The tenant, household member, or visitor is subject to an injunction under Part 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 for conduct related to or affecting the property or persons in the locality.

Examples:

  • •Injunction prohibiting harassment of neighbours
  • •Injunction restraining violent or threatening behaviour near the property
D

Condition D — Noise abatement notice (breached)

Medium urgencyNotice: 1 month

The tenant has been served a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and has breached it.

Examples:

  • •Repeated statutory noise nuisance complaints upheld by the local authority
  • •Breach of a noise abatement notice issued by environmental health
E

Condition E — Closure notice or closure order

High urgencyNotice: Immediate proceedings possible

A closure notice has been issued or a closure order made in respect of the property under Part 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Examples:

  • •Property closed by police following drug supply activity
  • •Closure order after repeated disorder incidents at the property

⚠ Important: visitors and household members

Ground 7A can apply even where the named tenant was not personally convicted — provided the qualifying condition is met by a person residing in or visiting the property. Landlords should clearly identify the relevant person in the Form 3A notice.

What Offences Qualify Under Schedule 2A?

For Condition A to apply, the conviction must be for a serious offence listed in Schedule 2A of the Housing Act 1988. The offence must have been committed in, or in the locality of, the property — or against a person living in or visiting the locality. Minor public order offences and low-level disorder do not qualify.

Offence categoryExamples (Schedule 2A)Qualifies?
Drug offencesSupply, possession with intent to supply, or cultivation of a controlled drug (Class A or B) near or at the property✓ Qualifies
ViolenceViolent disorder, affray, actual bodily harm (ABH), grievous bodily harm (GBH), assault occasioning ABH✓ Qualifies
WeaponsPossession of an offensive weapon or bladed article in a public place near the property✓ Qualifies
ArsonArson or criminal damage by fire to property in the locality✓ Qualifies
Sexual offencesSexual offences against a person residing in or visiting the locality of the property✓ Qualifies
BurglaryBurglary of a dwelling in the locality of the property✓ Qualifies
Stalking and harassmentStalking, harassment, or putting persons in fear of violence against neighbours✓ Qualifies
Note: minor offencesBreach of the peace, minor public order offences, and low-level disorder do NOT qualify under Schedule 2A✗ Does not qualify

This table is illustrative. Always verify the specific offence against the current Schedule 2A of the Housing Act 1988 at legislation.gov.uk.

Ground 7A vs Other Antisocial Behaviour Possession Grounds

Landlords dealing with antisocial behaviour have more than one option. The choice of ground depends on whether there is already a qualifying conviction or order.

GroundTriggerNotice PeriodType
Ground 7AThis pageQualifying conviction, CBO, injunction, noise notice breach, or closure order1 monthMandatory
Ground 14Nuisance or annoyance to neighbours or anti-social behaviour (no conviction required)Immediate / no minimumDiscretionary
Ground 14ADomestic violence — one partner has left the property2 weeksMandatory (social landlords only)
Ground 7Tenant has died and tenancy has passed to someone else2 monthsDiscretionary
Ground 8Rent arrears of 2+ months at notice and hearing4 weeksMandatory

Key decision point

If the tenant has not yet been convicted or made subject to a CBO or injunction, Ground 7A is not available. Serve a Ground 14 notice (which can be served immediately with no minimum notice period) while the local authority or police pursue a CBO or injunction. Once the order is obtained, you can serve a further Ground 7A notice. See our Ground 14 guide →

Notice Requirements for Ground 7A

Ground 7A requires a minimum of 1 month's notice. This is the shortest notice period available under any Section 8 ground, reflecting the urgency and seriousness of the qualifying behaviour.

The 1-month period runs from the date the tenant receives the notice — not from when it is written or posted. Landlords must allow for postal delivery when serving by post.

Service methodAssumed deliveryMinimum expiry
First-class post+2 working daysService date + 2 days + 1 month
Hand deliverySame dayService date + 1 month
Recorded deliveryNext working dayService date + 1 day + 1 month
Email (if agreed in tenancy)Same dayService date + 1 month

⚠ Form 3A is required

From 1 May 2026, all Section 8 notices must be served on Form 3A. Any notice served on the old Form 3 is invalid. Our generator produces a correctly completed Form 3A.

Evidence Landlords Need for a Ground 7A Possession Claim

Ground 7A cases are heavily evidence-dependent. The qualifying conviction or order is the foundation — without it, the ground fails. Supporting evidence strengthens the claim and deters tenants from contesting.

⚖️

Certified copy of the conviction or court order

Essential

This is the foundation of any Ground 7A claim. Without a certified copy of the qualifying conviction (from HMCTS), CBO, injunction, or closure order, the ground cannot be established. Obtain this before serving the notice.

🚔

Police incident logs and crime reference numbers

Strong

Written records from the police — obtained via a Subject Access Request or formal request — showing the incidents that led to the conviction or order. These corroborate the seriousness and locality of the behaviour.

👥

Witness statements from affected neighbours

Strong

Signed, dated statements from neighbours who have witnessed the antisocial behaviour. Courts give significant weight to first-hand accounts. Witnesses should describe specific incidents with dates and times.

📹

CCTV footage or video evidence

Strong

Any video evidence of the behaviour — from doorbell cameras, CCTV, or phones — that corroborates the incidents. Provide copies to the court and retain originals.

🏛️

Environmental health or local authority reports

Supporting

Written reports from the local council's environmental health team, housing team, or antisocial behaviour unit. These show that the matter has been officially investigated and substantiated.

📋

Landlord's own incident log

Supporting

A contemporaneous log of all incidents, complaints received, and actions taken. Entries should be dated and specific. This shows the court that the landlord acted promptly and responsibly.

✉️

Correspondence with the tenant

Supporting

Copies of warning letters, emails, or texts sent to the tenant about the behaviour. This demonstrates that the landlord raised the issue before resorting to possession proceedings.

Best practice

Assemble your evidence bundle before or at the same time as serving the notice. Courts expect landlords to demonstrate that the qualifying condition has been properly identified and evidenced. The NRLA provides template incident log sheets at nrla.org.uk.

The Court Process for a Ground 7A Possession Claim

The Section 8 notice does not itself remove the tenant. If the tenant does not leave by the expiry date, the landlord must apply to the county court for a possession order.

1

Issue possession proceedings (form N5)

Apply to the county court using form N5. File the Form 3A notice, certificate of service, tenancy agreement, and your evidence bundle (certified copy of the conviction or order, supporting evidence). Pay the court fee. Ground 7A cases may qualify for accelerated listing given the urgency of antisocial behaviour.

2

Possession hearing

The court will list a possession hearing. Because Ground 7A is mandatory, the judge must grant possession if the ground is proved. The court will check: Form 3A was used, the 1-month notice was given, and the qualifying condition (conviction or order) is evidenced.

3

Possession order

The court typically grants a possession order with 14 or 28 days for the tenant to vacate. In serious antisocial behaviour cases, courts may order a shorter period.

4

Warrant of possession (if needed)

If the tenant remains after the possession order date, apply for a warrant of possession. A county court bailiff or High Court enforcement officer will carry out the eviction.

External guidance

GOV.UK provides step-by-step guidance on making a possession claim at gov.uk/evicting-tenants/applying-for-possession.

How to Use Ground 7A — Step by Step

Follow these steps in order. Ground 7A cases move faster than other grounds — the short notice period means you can be in court within 6–8 weeks of serving notice.

1

Obtain certified proof of the qualifying condition

Before doing anything else, obtain a certified copy of the conviction from HMCTS, or the CBO, injunction, or closure order from the issuing court. You cannot serve a valid Ground 7A notice without evidence that the qualifying condition exists.

✓ Checklist:Certified copy of conviction or order obtained?
2

Confirm the condition relates to the property or locality

Check that the offence or order relates to behaviour at or near the property, or involves a person in the locality. A conviction for an unrelated matter in another part of the country may not satisfy Schedule 2A.

✓ Checklist:Condition is linked to the property or locality?
3

Gather supporting evidence

Collect police logs, neighbour witness statements, CCTV footage, environmental health reports, and your own incident log. The stronger the supporting evidence, the less likely the tenant is to contest or succeed at court.

✓ Checklist:Supporting evidence package prepared?
4

Complete Form 3A correctly

Select Ground 7A. Enter all tenant names exactly as on the tenancy agreement. State the service date. Describe the qualifying condition clearly — identify which of Conditions A–E applies and provide the case reference number.

✓ Checklist:Form 3A complete with correct ground and condition?
5

Calculate the 1-month notice expiry correctly

The notice period runs from the date the tenant receives the notice — not when it is written or posted. Add 2 working days for first-class post. Our generator calculates this automatically.

✓ Checklist:Expiry date correctly calculated from receipt?
6

Serve Form 3A and keep proof of service

Serve by first-class post, hand delivery, or recorded delivery. Retain a certificate of service — the court requires it when possession proceedings are issued.

✓ Checklist:Certificate of service retained?
7

Apply to court if tenant does not leave

If the tenant has not vacated by the expiry date, apply to the county court using form N5. Because Ground 7A is mandatory, the court must grant possession if the ground is proved. Attach your evidence bundle to the claim.

✓ Checklist:Court application filed with evidence bundle?

Common Mistakes That Invalidate a Ground 7A Claim

Ground 7A cases fail for procedural reasons more often than on the merits. These are the most common errors seen in county court possession proceedings.

1.

Using Ground 7A without a qualifying conviction or order

Fatal

Ground 7A is only available where one of the five qualifying conditions (Conditions A–E) is met. A landlord who serves a Ground 7A notice based on complaints alone — without a conviction, CBO, injunction, or closure order — will have the claim dismissed. Use Ground 14 instead for discretionary ASB possession.

2.

Using fewer than 1 months notice

Fatal

The notice is defective. Even though 1 month is significantly shorter than the 4-month period for Grounds 1 and 1A, it is still mandatory. The 1-month period runs from the date the tenant receives the notice, not from when it is written.

3.

Using old Form 3 instead of Form 3A

Fatal

Any Section 8 notice served on Form 3 after 1 May 2026 is legally invalid. The court will dismiss the possession claim regardless of how strong the underlying ground is.

4.

Tenant names do not match the tenancy agreement

Fatal

The notice can be successfully challenged. Names must be copied exactly from the tenancy agreement, including any middle names.

5.

The qualifying conviction or order pre-dates the limitation period

Serious

There is no express statutory time limit on how old the conviction or order can be under Ground 7A, but courts may question the proportionality of proceedings based on a very old conviction that has not led to further incidents. Act promptly once you become aware of a qualifying condition.

6.

Failing to identify that the conviction relates to the locality

Serious

Schedule 2A offences must have been committed in or near the locality of the property, or against a person in or visiting the locality. An unrelated conviction at a distant location may not satisfy the ground.

7.

Not serving the notice on all named tenants

Serious

In a joint tenancy, the Section 8 notice must be served on each named tenant. Serving only one in a multi-tenant property leaves the notice open to challenge.

Tenant Defences Against a Ground 7A Possession Claim

Although Ground 7A is mandatory when proved, tenants can and do challenge possession claims on procedural or factual grounds. Landlords should anticipate these.

Strong

The qualifying condition is not made out

The tenant challenges whether they actually meet one of the five conditions — for example, by arguing the conviction was later quashed on appeal, or that the CBO has expired. Landlords should verify the current status of any order before serving notice.

Strong

The offence was not in the locality of the property

For Condition A (Schedule 2A conviction), the offence must relate to the locality of the property. If it was committed in a different area entirely, the ground may not be established.

Strong

Notice is defective — less than 1 month given

If the expiry date on the notice is less than 1 month from the date of receipt, the notice is invalid. Tenants should check the calculation carefully.

Strong

Wrong form used (Form 3 instead of Form 3A)

A notice on Form 3 served after 1 May 2026 is invalid. Tenants can raise this at the possession hearing.

Medium

Human rights arguments (Article 8 ECHR)

Tenants — particularly those with children or vulnerable household members — may raise Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to respect for private and family life). Courts must consider proportionality even in mandatory ground cases, though the bar is high and such defences rarely succeed where a genuine qualifying condition exists.

Medium

The wrong person is named in the proceedings

If the behaviour was committed by a visitor or household member and the landlord does not properly connect this to the tenancy, the court may find the ground is not made out against the named tenant.

For tenants

If you have received a Ground 7A notice and believe it is defective or that the qualifying condition is not met, contact Citizens Advice or Shelter immediately. The 1-month notice period is short — do not delay.

Example Case Study — Ground 7A in Practice

Scenario: Conviction for drug supply at the property

Background: Mohammed is a landlord whose tenant, Darren, was arrested following a police raid on the property. Neighbours had reported frequent late-night visitors and suspicious activity. Darren was convicted of supplying a Class A drug (cocaine) from the property and sentenced to 18 months in prison. The conviction was in April 2026.

Action: Mohammed obtained a certified copy of the conviction from HMCTS. He also gathered: police incident logs from the raid, signed statements from two neighbours, and his own incident log of complaints received. He served Form 3A citing Ground 7A — Condition A (Schedule 2A conviction) on 15 May 2026, giving 1 month's notice. Expiry date: 17 June 2026 (allowing 2 days for first-class post).

Outcome: Darren did not vacate. Mohammed applied to the county court on 18 June 2026. At the possession hearing in July 2026, the judge was satisfied that Condition A was met — a Schedule 2A conviction (drug supply) committed at the property. A possession order was granted, with 14 days to vacate.

Key learning: The certified copy of the conviction was the foundation. Without it, Ground 7A would not have been available regardless of how strong the other evidence was.

Scenario: CBO in place but no criminal conviction

Background: Janet is a landlord whose tenant, Kyle, has been repeatedly reported for threatening neighbours. Kyle was not convicted of a criminal offence, but the local authority obtained a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against him in March 2026 following persistent antisocial behaviour.

Action: Janet obtained a certified copy of the CBO. This satisfies Condition B — Ground 7A applies even without a criminal conviction. She served Form 3A on 10 June 2026 citing Ground 7A — Condition B (CBO relating to antisocial behaviour affecting persons in the locality).

Key learning: A CBO on its own is sufficient to engage Ground 7A. Landlords do not need to wait for a criminal conviction.

About This Guide and Generator

🔄

Last updated: June 2026

This page was reviewed and updated in June 2026 to reflect the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which updated Ground 7A from 1 May 2026. All notice periods and conditions reflect current law.

🇬🇧

England only

Ground 7A applies in England only. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have separate legislation for antisocial behaviour possession.

⚖️

Not a substitute for legal advice

Ground 7A cases often involve complex evidence and contested hearings. For serious antisocial behaviour cases, consult a housing solicitor or the NRLA. This tool generates a correctly formatted notice.

Reviewed by OfficeDraft Legal Team

This guide is reviewed periodically against current legislation, HMCTS guidance, and county court practice.

Authoritative external sources

↗Housing Act 1988, Schedule 2 — legislation.gov.uk↗Housing Act 1988, Schedule 2A — qualifying offences↗Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014↗Renters' Rights Act 2025 — legislation.gov.uk↗NRLA: Landlord antisocial behaviour guidance↗GOV.UK: Antisocial behaviour — crime and punishment↗GOV.UK: Evicting tenants — applying for possession↗Shelter: Advice for tenants facing eviction

Frequently Asked Questions — Section 8 Ground 7A Serious Antisocial Behaviour

What is Section 8 Ground 7A?▾
Ground 7A is a mandatory possession ground under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988. It allows landlords to seek possession where a tenant, household member, or visitor has been convicted of a serious offence listed in Schedule 2A, is subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), is subject to an injunction under Part 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, has breached a noise abatement notice, or where a closure order has been made in respect of the property. Because it is mandatory, the court must grant possession if the ground is proved.
What is the notice period for Ground 7A?▾
Ground 7A requires a minimum of 1 month's notice from the date the tenant receives the Form 3A notice. This is the shortest notice period of any Section 8 ground. There is no 12-month protected period.
Do I need a criminal conviction to use Ground 7A?▾
No. A criminal conviction satisfies Condition A, but Ground 7A can also be triggered by a Criminal Behaviour Order (Condition B), a court injunction under Part 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (Condition C), a breach of a noise abatement notice (Condition D), or a closure notice or order (Condition E). Any one of the five conditions is sufficient.
Can Ground 7A apply if a household member — not the tenant — was convicted?▾
Yes. Ground 7A can apply where the qualifying condition is met by any person residing in or visiting the property, not just the named tenant. If a household member or regular visitor was convicted of a Schedule 2A offence, the landlord may be able to use Ground 7A against the named tenant.
What evidence does a landlord need for a Ground 7A claim?▾
The essential evidence is a certified copy of the qualifying conviction or order. Without this, Ground 7A is not available. Supporting evidence — police logs, neighbour statements, CCTV, environmental health reports, and your own incident log — strengthens the claim and deters tenants from contesting.
What is the difference between Ground 7A and Ground 14?▾
Ground 7A is mandatory and requires a qualifying conviction or order. Ground 14 is discretionary and does not require a conviction — it can be used for nuisance or annoyance to neighbours. Ground 14 has no minimum notice period and can be served immediately. Use Ground 14 while pursuing a CBO or injunction; once obtained, consider serving a further Ground 7A notice.

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Legal disclaimer

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Ground 7A possession cases can involve complex criminal evidence, contested court hearings, and human rights arguments. Landlords dealing with serious antisocial behaviour should seek independent legal advice from a qualified housing solicitor before serving a possession notice. OfficeDraft is not a firm of solicitors and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. For specialist landlord support, contact the NRLA. For tenant support, contact Shelter or Citizens Advice.

Ground 7A · Mandatory · 1-Month Notice

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