Accelerated Possession Procedure England - Complete Guide 2026

The accelerated possession procedure is a streamlined court process designed specifically for Section 21 evictions in England. Unlike standard possession claims, accelerated cases are typically decided without a court hearing, making them faster, simpler, and less stressful for landlords. Understanding when and how to use this procedure can save you months of waiting and significant legal costs.

What Is Accelerated Possession?

The accelerated possession procedure is a written (paper-based) court process that allows landlords to obtain a possession order without attending a court hearing. The judge reviews your claim and the tenant's response (if any) on paper and makes a decision based solely on the documents.

This procedure is available only for Section 21 claims where:

• You're seeking possession only (no rent arrears claim included)
• The tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
• Your Section 21 notice is valid and has expired
• All prescribed requirements have been met (EPC, gas safety, deposit protection, etc.)

The procedure is governed by Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and specifically by the Practice Direction 55A. It was introduced to reduce court workload and provide landlords with a quicker route to possession in straightforward cases.

Eligibility Requirements

Before using accelerated possession, you must confirm your case meets all eligibility criteria:

Tenancy Requirements

• Assured shorthold tenancy: Must be a valid AST under the Housing Act 1988
• Written agreement: There must be a written tenancy agreement (or at minimum, written evidence of the tenancy terms)
• Individual landlord or company: The landlord can be a person or a legal entity

Notice Requirements

• Valid Section 21 notice: Using Form 6A (from October 2015 onwards)
• Correct notice period: At least 2 months' notice given
• Notice has expired: The end date on the notice has passed
• Within validity period: Court claim issued within 6 months of notice expiry

Compliance Requirements

• Deposit protected: In a government-approved scheme with prescribed information served
• Gas safety certificate: Provided to tenant before they moved in (and annually)
• EPC: Valid Energy Performance Certificate provided to tenant
• How to Rent guide: Current version given to tenant at tenancy start

Advantages Over Standard Procedure

The accelerated procedure offers several significant advantages compared to standard possession claims:

Forms and Documents Needed

To issue an accelerated possession claim, you need to complete and submit:

Form N5B - Claim Form

This is the specific claim form for accelerated possession. It's different from the standard N5 form used for other possession claims. Form N5B includes sections for:

• Landlord and tenant details
• Property address
• Tenancy details (start date, rent amount, type)
• Section 21 notice details (date served, expiry date)
• Confirmation of compliance with requirements
• Statement that you're not claiming rent arrears

Required Attachments

• Copy of tenancy agreement: The full written agreement
• Copy of Section 21 notice: The Form 6A you served
• Proof of service: Evidence showing how and when you served the notice

Evidence of Compliance

You must be able to prove compliance with all prescribed requirements if challenged:

• Deposit protection certificate and prescribed information
• Gas safety certificate (dated before tenancy start)
• EPC certificate
• How to Rent guide (with evidence of when provided)

Step-by-Step Process

Here's the complete accelerated possession procedure:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Before starting, confirm you meet all requirements. Use our Section 21 validator to check your notice is valid.

Step 2: Complete Form N5B

Download Form N5B from the government website or use our document generator. Complete all sections accurately. Any errors may result in the claim being struck out.

Step 3: Gather Documents

Prepare copies of your tenancy agreement, Section 21 notice, and proof of service. Make two copies of everything—one for the court and one for the tenant.

Step 4: Submit to Court

Submit your claim to the county court that covers the property location. You can submit online through the Possession Claims Online (PCOL) service or by post. The court fee is £365.

Step 5: Court Serves the Tenant

The court sends the claim to the tenant, who has 14 days to respond. They can either accept the claim, do nothing, or file a defence.

Step 6: Judge Reviews the Case

After the response period, a judge reviews all papers. If everything is in order and the tenant hasn't raised a valid defence, the judge makes a possession order without a hearing.

Step 7: Possession Order Issued

The possession order typically gives the tenant 14 days to leave (or 42 days in cases of exceptional hardship). If they don't leave, you can apply for a bailiff warrant.

Realistic Timelines

While accelerated possession is faster than standard procedure, it still takes time:

What If the Tenant Defends?

If the tenant files a defence, the judge will review it. Common defences include:

Technical Defences

• Section 21 notice was invalid (wrong form, insufficient notice period)
• Deposit wasn't properly protected
• Prescribed documents weren't provided
• Notice served during prohibited period (first 4 months)

What Happens Next

If the judge believes the defence may have merit, they will list the case for a hearing. At this point, you lose the "accelerated" benefit and must attend court. However, if the defence is clearly without merit, the judge can still make a possession order on paper.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These errors can derail your accelerated possession claim:

1. Using the Wrong Form

You must use Form N5B for accelerated possession. Using the standard N5 form will result in your claim being processed as a standard (not accelerated) case.

2. Including a Rent Claim

If you claim rent arrears on the N5B form, your case cannot proceed as accelerated. You'll need to use the standard procedure or issue a separate money claim.

3. Invalid Section 21 Notice

If your Section 21 notice is invalid for any reason—wrong form, wrong notice period, non-compliance with requirements—your claim will fail. Always validate your notice before starting.

4. Missing Documents

Failing to attach the tenancy agreement, Section 21 notice, or proof of service will delay your claim. The court may return incomplete applications.

5. Wrong Court

You must issue the claim at the county court that covers the property's location, not your own address if different.

When NOT to Use Accelerated Procedure

There are situations where accelerated possession isn't appropriate:

When You Want to Claim Rent Arrears

If the tenant owes rent and you want to recover it through the same proceedings, use the standard procedure. You can claim both possession and a money judgment.

When Using Section 8

Accelerated possession only works with Section 21. Section 8 claims always require a hearing because the judge must assess the grounds and, for discretionary grounds, whether it's reasonable to grant possession.

When There Are Complex Issues

If there are genuine disputes about the tenancy, the validity of documents, or other complex matters, a hearing may be beneficial. You can present your case in person.

When You Need Urgency

For urgent cases (antisocial behaviour, serious arrears), the standard procedure with an expedited hearing may actually be faster than waiting for paper-based accelerated processing.

For more on standard procedure, see our Standard Possession Procedure guide.

Accelerated Possession FAQ