Section 8 Notice Generator Cardiff

Landlords searching for a Section 8 notice generator in Cardiff should be aware of a critical distinction: Cardiff is in Wales, where a separate legal framework applies. This guide explains the difference, confirms which landlords can use our Form 3A possession notice generator, and covers all Schedule 2 grounds for English properties. Updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025, in force from 1 May 2026.

✓ Updated June 2026

Renters' Rights Act 2025

Form 3A compliant

England only

Wales context included

✓ All Section 8 grounds covered✓ Form 3A (old Form 3 invalid from May 2026)✓ Notice period auto-calculated✓ Section 21 abolished — Section 8 only✓ Wales law difference explained
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Important: Cardiff is in Wales — a different law applies

Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 applies to England only. Cardiff is the capital of Wales, which has its own separate residential tenancy legislation: the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Cardiff landlords cannot serve a Section 8 notice — the Housing Act 1988 framework does not apply to Welsh tenancies.

If your property is in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, or anywhere else in Wales, you need a Section 173 notice under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, not a Section 8 notice. Serving a Section 8 notice on a Welsh tenant is legally ineffective and will not support a possession claim in a Welsh county court.

This generator is for English properties only. If your property is in England — including cities close to the Welsh border such as Bristol, Gloucester, Hereford, or Shrewsbury — our Section 8 Form 3A generator is the correct tool.

Section 8 Notice Generator — English Properties

All Schedule 2 grounds · Form 3A format · Notice period calculated automatically · England only — not for Welsh tenancies

Select possession ground

Choose the legal reason you are seeking possession.

MANDATORY

Court must grant possession if ground is proven

DISCRETIONARY

Court decides whether to grant possession

Section 8 Notices in Cardiff — England vs Wales: What Landlords Need to Know

The most important thing any Cardiff landlord can know before serving any eviction notice is that Wales has its own housing law. The Welsh Government devolved residential tenancy legislation from Westminster and enacted the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which came fully into force on 1 December 2022 and replaced the Housing Act 1988 framework for all Welsh tenancies.

FactorEngland (e.g. Bristol, Gloucester)Wales (e.g. Cardiff, Swansea)
Governing legislationHousing Act 1988 (as amended)Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
Tenancy typeAssured / assured shorthold tenancyOccupation contract (standard or secure)
Notice to evict for rent arrearsSection 8 notice — Form 3ASection 173 notice
No-fault evictionAbolished (Section 21 gone from May 2026)Section 186 notice (still available in Wales)
CourtEnglish county courtCounty Court in Wales
Prescribed formForm 3A (mandatory from May 2026)Welsh prescribed notice forms

📌 Which landlords can use this generator?

Our Section 8 Form 3A generator is for English properties only. If you are a landlord with properties on both sides of the border — a common situation for portfolio landlords in Bristol, Chepstow, or the Marches — use this generator for your English portfolio and seek separate Welsh-law advice for any Cardiff or Newport properties.

What Is a Section 8 Notice? (English Properties)

A Section 8 notice— officially a “Notice Seeking Possession of a Property Let on an Assured Tenancy or an Assured Agricultural Occupancy” — is the legal document a private landlord must serve on their tenant before applying to the county court for a possession order in England. It is the first compulsory step in any fault-based eviction and is governed by Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988.

The notice must be served using the prescribed Form 3A. The older Form 3 became legally invalid from 1 May 2026following the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025. A notice on the wrong form is automatically defective.

Importantly, the notice itself does not end the tenancy. It puts the tenant on formal notice that possession proceedings are intended. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily by the notice expiry date, the landlord must then apply to the county court for a possession order.

🏛 Why Section 8 matters more than ever for English landlords

Section 21 “no-fault” eviction was abolished across England from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. English landlords can no longer issue a Section 21 notice. Every possession claim now requires a valid Section 8 ground from Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988. This change does not apply in Wales, where Section 186 notices remain available.

When Can a Landlord Use a Section 8 Eviction Notice? (England)

A Section 8 notice can be served whenever a valid Schedule 2 ground exists. The most common situations are:

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Rent arrears

The tenant owes at least two months' rent (Ground 8), three months (Ground 8A), or any arrears at all (Ground 10). Grounds 8 and 10 are almost always cited together.

Ground 8, 8A, 10

Persistent late payment

The tenant consistently pays late, even if there are currently no arrears outstanding. Payment records and bank statements are the key evidence.

Ground 11
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Moving back into the property

The landlord or a qualifying close family member needs the property as their main home. Requires prior occupation or a prior written notice at tenancy start.

Ground 1
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Selling the property

The landlord intends to sell the property with vacant possession. This new ground was introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 for England.

Ground 1A
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Antisocial behaviour

The tenant or their visitors cause nuisance or serious harm to neighbours. Ground 7A covers the most serious cases; Ground 14 covers general nuisance.

Ground 7A, 14
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Breach of tenancy terms

The tenant has broken a term of the tenancy agreement — for example, subletting without consent or keeping a pet in breach of the agreement.

Ground 12

⚠ Tenancy type check

Section 8 applies to assured and assured shorthold tenancies in England only. It does not apply to company lets, common law tenancies, licences, or regulated tenancies created before 15 January 1989 — or to any tenancy in Wales. If you are unsure which type of tenancy you hold, check with a housing solicitor before serving a notice.

Section 8 Grounds for Possession — All Schedule 2 Grounds Explained

The most commonly used Schedule 2 grounds are listed below. Mandatory grounds give the court no discretion — possession must be granted if the ground is proved. Discretionary grounds allow the judge to weigh all the circumstances. These apply to English properties only.

Ground 8MandatoryNotice: 4 weeks

When it applies

≥ 2 months rent arrears (monthly tenancy)

How it works

If arrears meet the two-month threshold both when notice is served and at the court hearing, the judge must grant possession. No judicial discretion. Always cite alongside Ground 10.

Ground 8AMandatoryNotice: 4 weeks

When it applies

≥ 3 months rent arrears (introduced May 2026)

How it works

New ground introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 for English tenancies. Provides a mandatory fallback where tenants make tactical partial payments to drop below the Ground 8 threshold.

Ground 10DiscretionaryNotice: 4 weeks

When it applies

Any amount of rent arrears

How it works

Applies to any level of unpaid rent. The court weighs all circumstances. Always cite alongside Ground 8 to protect the claim if the tenant makes a partial payment before the hearing.

Ground 11DiscretionaryNotice: 4 weeks

When it applies

Persistent late payment (no arrears required)

How it works

Covers tenants who consistently pay late even when the account is currently clear. Evidence of the payment pattern — rent ledgers and bank statements — is essential.

Ground 1MandatoryNotice: 2 months

When it applies

Landlord or qualifying family member moving in

How it works

Requires prior occupation or a prior written notice served at tenancy start. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 expanded qualifying family members to include parents, children, siblings, and grandparents.

Ground 1AMandatoryNotice: 2 months

When it applies

Landlord intends to sell the property

How it works

New ground introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The landlord must genuinely intend to sell with vacant possession. Evidence of that intention — such as estate agent instructions — may be required at court.

Ground 7AMandatoryNotice: Immediately

When it applies

Serious antisocial behaviour or criminal conviction

How it works

Covers serious criminal convictions, closure orders, and sex offender registration breaches related to the property. One of the fastest possession routes where evidence is clear.

Ground 14DiscretionaryNotice: Immediately

When it applies

Nuisance or annoyance to neighbours

How it works

Persistent nuisance behaviour. The court weighs whether possession is reasonable. Neighbour statements and local authority records are strong supporting evidence.

Source: Housing Act 1988 Schedule 2 as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. View Housing Act 1988 Schedule 2 — legislation.gov.uk ↗

How the Section 8 Notice Generator Works

01

Select your ground(s)

Pick from all Schedule 2 grounds. Combine Ground 8 + Ground 10 for arrears, or use Ground 1 for moving back in. Multiple grounds on one Form 3A at no extra cost.

02

Enter property & tenant details

Full property address, all tenant names exactly as on the tenancy agreement, and your landlord or letting agent contact details.

03

State the reason for possession

For rent arrears, enter the total amount and period. For Ground 1, describe the intended occupier. The generator formats each ground in the prescribed Form 3A layout.

04

Notice expiry calculated

Enter your planned service date and the generator calculates the earliest legally valid expiry date — 4 weeks for arrears grounds, 2 months for Ground 1.

05

Download Form 3A PDF

Receive a court-ready PDF to serve on your tenant by hand, first-class post, or email (only if the tenancy agreement permits it).

✓ What landlords receive

Completed Form 3A PDF — the only valid form from May 2026

All cited grounds formatted in the prescribed section

Correct notice expiry date calculated from your service date

Court-ready PDF accepted by English county courts

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing a Section 8 Notice (England)

Step 1 — Confirm the property is in England (not Wales)

If the property is in Wales — including Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, or any Welsh postcode — you cannot use a Section 8 notice. For English properties, confirm the tenancy is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy. Most private rented properties in England let after 15 January 1989 with rent between £1,000 and £100,000 per year qualify.

Step 2 — Identify the correct ground(s)

Match your situation to the Schedule 2 grounds. For rent arrears, always cite Ground 8 and Ground 10 together. If arrears are three months or more, add Ground 8A. For moving back in, use Ground 1. You can cite any combination on a single Form 3A.

Step 3 — Use Form 3A (not Form 3)

From 1 May 2026, Form 3A is the only prescribed form for Section 8 notices in England. The old Form 3 is legally invalid. Our generator produces Form 3A automatically.

Step 4 — Enter accurate details

Every field must be precise. Tenant names must match the tenancy agreement exactly. The property address must include the full postcode. The arrears figure (where applicable) must be accurate as of the date of service — not an estimate or a rounded number.

Step 5 — Calculate the service and expiry dates

The notice period starts from the date the tenant receives the notice — not when you write or post it. For first-class post, add two working days. For second-class post, add four working days. Our generator calculates the earliest valid expiry date from your planned service date automatically.

Step 6 — Serve the notice correctly

Serve the Form 3A by hand delivery, by first-class post to the property address, or by email only if the tenancy agreement expressly permits electronic service. Do not rely solely on email unless you have clear written authority to do so.

Step 7 — Retain a certificate of service

Immediately after serving, complete a certificate of service recording the date, method, and person who served the notice. The court will require this when you file your possession claim. Use our certificate of service template →

Step 8 — Apply to court if the tenant does not leave

If the tenant remains after the expiry date, file Form N5 (possession claim) and, for rent arrears, Form N119 at the relevant English county court. For a full list of county courts, visit GOV.UK. See our possession claim guide for the full court process.

Section 8 Notice Period Requirements — England 2026

The notice period varies by ground and is one of the most common sources of error in possession claims. The table below sets out current requirements following the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (England only).

GroundTypeMinimum notice period
Ground 1 — Landlord moving back inMandatory2 months
Ground 1A — Landlord selling the property (new 2026)Mandatory2 months
Ground 2 — Mortgagee repossessionMandatory2 months
Ground 7A — Serious antisocial behaviourMandatoryImmediately
Ground 8 — 2 months' rent arrearsMandatory4 weeks
Ground 8A — 3 months' rent arrears (new 2026)Mandatory4 weeks
Ground 10 — Any rent arrearsDiscretionary4 weeks
Ground 11 — Persistent late paymentDiscretionary4 weeks
Ground 12 — Breach of tenancy termsDiscretionary4 weeks
Ground 13 — Property deteriorationDiscretionary4 weeks
Ground 14 — Nuisance or annoyanceDiscretionaryImmediately
Ground 15 — Furniture damageDiscretionary4 weeks
Ground 17 — Tenancy obtained by false statementDiscretionary2 weeks

📌 How notice periods are counted

The notice period runs from the date the tenant receives the notice — not the date you write or post it. For first-class post, add two working days to the posting date to determine the date of service. Our generator calculates the expiry date automatically once you enter your intended service date.

Source: Housing Act 1988 Schedule 2 as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Renters' Rights Act 2025 — legislation.gov.uk ↗

How to Serve a Section 8 Notice — Accepted Methods (England)

Correct service is as important as a correctly completed notice. A notice that cannot be proved to have been delivered will fail at court regardless of how accurately the form was completed.

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Hand delivery

✓ Recommended

Deliver to the tenant in person or post through the letterbox at the property. Service is immediate. Best practice: take a witness or photograph the posting.

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First-class post

✓ Recommended

Post to the property address. Service is deemed two working days after posting. Keep the certificate of posting from the Post Office and retain a copy of the notice.

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Email

⚠ Caution

Only valid if the tenancy agreement expressly permits email service and the tenant has agreed in writing. Do not rely on email alone without clear written authority.

📋 Documents to keep after serving

A copy of the completed Form 3A

Proof of postage or a hand-delivery witness statement

A signed certificate of service

The original tenancy agreement

Rent ledger or arrears schedule (for arrears grounds)

Any previous correspondence with the tenant about the issue

Section 8 Notices for Landlords Near Cardiff — Welsh Border Context

Cardiff's position as the Welsh capital and a major UK city means many landlords own properties on both sides of the English–Welsh border. Portfolio landlords in particular may have properties in Cardiff and Newport (Wales) as well as Bristol, Gloucester, Hereford, or Chepstow (England) — and need to understand which legal framework applies to each property.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Welsh properties — use Welsh law

Properties in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, Carmarthen, or any other Welsh location are governed by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Landlords must register with Rent Smart Wales ↗ and use Welsh-prescribed notice forms. Section 8 does not apply.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 English border properties — use Section 8

Properties in Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Chester, or any English location near Wales are governed by English law. For these properties, landlords must use Form 3A Section 8 notices from 1 May 2026. Our generator produces the correct form for these English properties.

🏛 Rent Smart Wales — mandatory for Welsh landlords

All Welsh landlords must be registered with Rent Smart Wales, and letting agents must be licensed. Failure to comply can result in a rent stopping order, which prevents a landlord from receiving rent. This is a Welsh-only requirement — English landlords do not register with Rent Smart Wales.

📋 No-fault eviction — Wales vs England

Unlike England (where Section 21 was abolished in May 2026), Wales still permits a form of no-fault eviction under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 via a Section 186 notice (formerly Section 21 equivalent). This is one of the significant divergences between Welsh and English housing law in 2026.

Note: Housing law jurisdiction is determined by where the property is physically located — not by the landlord's home address or the tenant's nationality. A landlord based in Cardiff who owns a property in Bristol must use English Section 8 law for that property.

What Happens After the Section 8 Notice Expires?

Once the notice expires, there are two possible outcomes. In either case, the landlord must not attempt to force the tenant out without a court order — doing so is unlawful eviction, a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

✓ Tenant vacates voluntarily

The tenant moves out by the expiry date. No court claim is required. Carry out a check-out inspection, return the deposit minus any legitimate deductions, and serve any final arrears demand separately if applicable. The Section 8 process is complete.

✗ Tenant does not vacate

File Form N5 (possession claim) and Form N119 (particulars for rent arrears, if applicable) at the local English county court. The court lists a hearing typically 4–8 weeks later. If the ground is proved, the judge issues a possession order. If the tenant still does not leave, apply for a warrant of eviction (Form N325).

⚠ 12-month validity window

A Section 8 notice remains valid for 12 months from the date of service. If you have not issued court proceedings within 12 months, you must serve a fresh notice before filing a possession claim.

Benefits of Using an Online Section 8 Notice Generator

Always Form 3A

The generator always produces the current Form 3A. No risk of accidentally using the now-invalid Form 3, which has been the single most common reason possession claims have been rejected since May 2026.

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Expiry dates calculated

Enter your service date and the generator calculates the earliest valid expiry date for each ground — including the 4-week period for arrears grounds and 2-month period for Ground 1.

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Multiple grounds in one notice

Cite Ground 8 + Ground 10 + Ground 8A on a single Form 3A. The generator formats each ground in the prescribed layout. No separate notices needed.

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Court-ready PDF

Download a PDF formatted for English county court possession proceedings. All prescribed sections completed. Accepted alongside Form N5 when filing your claim.

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Updated for 2026 law

The generator reflects the Renters' Rights Act 2025: new Ground 8A, Ground 1A (selling), expanded Ground 1 family member rules, and the Form 3A requirement that replaced Form 3.

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Fraction of solicitor cost

A solicitor-prepared Section 8 notice typically costs £200–£500 for a straightforward case. Our generator produces the same Form 3A PDF from £19.99.

6 Mistakes That Invalidate a Section 8 Notice

A defective notice means the possession claim will fail at court — costing months of additional non-payment and potentially significant legal fees. The first mistake below is especially critical for Cardiff and Welsh border landlords.

1.

Assuming Section 8 applies in Cardiff (Wales)

Cardiff is in Wales, not England. Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 does not apply to Welsh tenancies. Cardiff landlords must use the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 framework. Serving a Section 8 notice on a Cardiff tenant is legally ineffective and cannot support a Welsh possession claim.

2.

Using old Form 3 after May 2026 (English properties)

For any English property, the old Form 3 has been invalid since 1 May 2026. All Section 8 notices must now use Form 3A. A notice on the wrong form will be rejected by the county court.

3.

Incorrect or incomplete tenant names

Every tenant on the tenancy agreement must appear on the notice, spelt exactly as in the agreement. A missing joint tenant or misspelt name can invalidate the entire notice.

4.

Notice period too short

Ground 8 and rent arrears grounds require at least 4 weeks. Ground 1 requires 2 months minimum. A notice that expires too soon is defective and cannot support a court claim.

5.

Ground 8 arrears cleared before the hearing

Ground 8 requires the arrears threshold to be met at the court hearing — not just at notice service. If the tenant pays down to below two months before the hearing, Ground 8 fails. Always cite Ground 10 as a backup.

6.

No proof of service

The court requires evidence that the tenant received the notice. A signed certificate of service or tracked delivery confirmation is essential. Without it, the claim can fail on procedural grounds.

About This Guide

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Updated June 2026

This guide reflects the Renters' Rights Act 2025 as implemented from 1 May 2026, including the new Ground 8A, Ground 1A, expanded Ground 1 family member rules, Form 3A requirement, the abolition of Section 21, and the distinction between English and Welsh housing law.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

England only

Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 applies to assured tenancies in England only. Wales uses the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 with a separate Section 173 notice framework. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own separate legislation.

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Not legal advice

This tool assists landlords in preparing Section 8 notices and provides general legal information only. It is not a substitute for independent legal advice. For Welsh tenancies, cross-border portfolios, or complex disputes, consult a housing solicitor.

OD

OfficeDraft Property Documentation Team

Our team monitors UK housing legislation — including devolved Welsh and Scottish laws — and updates all notice generators and guides to reflect current prescribed forms and legal requirements. This guide was last reviewed in June 2026 to incorporate changes under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and to clarify the England/Wales jurisdictional distinction for Cardiff landlords.

About OfficeDraft →

Frequently Asked Questions — Section 8 Notice Cardiff

Do Cardiff landlords use a different Section 8 notice from the rest of England?
This is the most important distinction on this page: Cardiff is in Wales, not England. Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 applies to assured tenancies in England only. Welsh private rented sector law is governed by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which introduced a separate "Section 173 notice" framework for Welsh landlords. If your property is in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, or anywhere else in Wales, you cannot use a Section 8 notice. For English properties close to the Welsh border — such as Hereford, Gloucester, or Bristol — Section 8 does apply and our generator produces a valid Form 3A.
What form must landlords use for a Section 8 notice in England in 2026?
From 1 May 2026, all Section 8 notices across England must be served on Form 3A. The previous Form 3 is no longer legally valid. If you serve a notice on the wrong form and the tenant does not vacate, the county court will reject your possession claim. Our generator always produces the current Form 3A automatically.
How much rent must a tenant owe before a landlord can serve a Section 8 notice in England?
It depends on the ground. Ground 8 requires at least two months' arrears for monthly tenancies, and those arrears must still exist at the date of the court hearing. Ground 8A (introduced May 2026) requires three months. Ground 10 applies to any level of arrears whatsoever. Most landlords cite Ground 8 and Ground 10 together to protect the claim if the tenant makes partial payments before the hearing.
What is the correct notice period for a Section 8 notice in England?
The notice period depends on the ground. Rent arrears grounds — Ground 8, 8A, 10, and 11 — require a minimum of 4 weeks' notice from the date the tenant receives the notice. Ground 1 (moving back in) and Ground 1A (selling the property) require 2 months. Ground 7A (serious antisocial behaviour) and Ground 14 (nuisance) can be served with immediate effect. Our generator calculates the expiry date automatically from the service date you enter.
What happens if a tenant refuses to leave after the Section 8 notice expires?
If the tenant remains after the expiry date, you must apply to the county court for a possession order. File Form N5 (possession claim) and, for rent arrears, Form N119 (particulars of claim). The court will list a hearing — typically 4–8 weeks after filing. At the hearing, if the ground is proved and the threshold is still met (for mandatory grounds), the judge issues a possession order. If the tenant still does not leave, you can apply for a warrant of eviction. Self-help eviction — changing locks or removing the tenant's belongings — is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Related Section 8 Guides & Tools

⚠ Legal disclaimer

OfficeDraft's Section 8 notice generator assists landlords, letting agents, and property managers in England in preparing possession notices in the correct Form 3A format. The tool and this guide provide general legal information only and do not constitute independent legal advice. This tool is for English properties only and is not suitable for Welsh tenancies, including any properties in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, or elsewhere in Wales. If you are uncertain which jurisdiction applies to your property, or if your tenant has raised a disrepair complaint, or if the matter is likely to be defended in court, you should seek independent advice from a qualified housing solicitor before serving any notice. A directory of solicitors is available at solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk.

Last updated: June 2026 · Author: OfficeDraft Property Documentation Team · About OfficeDraft

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England only · Not for Welsh tenancies · Form 3A format · All Schedule 2 grounds · Notice period auto-calculated