County Court Eviction Forms Explained - N5, N5B, N119 (England 2026)
Confused by eviction court forms? This guide explains N5, N5B, N119, N325 and other key forms you need for possession proceedings in England.
Navigating the county court system requires completing the right forms correctly. Using the wrong form or making errors can delay your possession claim by weeks or even result in dismissal. This guide explains every form you'll need for eviction proceedings in England, when to use each one, and how to complete them properly.
Forms Are Free to Download
All court forms are available free from GOV.UK and HMCTS. However, you must pay court fees when submitting your claim. Our Complete Eviction Pack includes pre-filled forms based on your specific situation.
Overview of Court Forms
The forms you need depend on which eviction route you're using:
| Eviction Type | Main Form | Additional Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Section 21 (Accelerated) | N5B | None required |
| Section 21 (Standard) | N5 | N119 (Particulars of Claim) |
| Section 8 | N5 | N119 (Particulars of Claim) |
| Warrant/Bailiff | N325 | N244 (if suspended order) |
Court Fees (2026)
- N5B (Accelerated possession): £365
- N5 (Standard possession): £365
- N325 (Warrant of possession): £130
- N244 (Application notice): £119
Form N5 - Claim for Possession of Property
Form N5 is the standard possession claim form used for most eviction proceedings. You'll use this for:
- All Section 8 claims (rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, breach, etc.)
- Section 21 claims where you're also claiming rent arrears
- Any possession claim that doesn't qualify for the accelerated procedure
What N5 Requires
- ✓Property address and description
- ✓Landlord's name and address (claimant)
- ✓Tenant's name and address (defendant)
- ✓Type of tenancy and start date
- ✓Current rent amount and payment frequency
- ✓Amount of any rent arrears (if claiming)
- ✓Daily rate of rent (for ongoing arrears calculation)
N5 Must Be Accompanied By
- Form N119 (Particulars of Claim) - detailing the grounds and evidence
- Copy of the tenancy agreement
- Copy of the Section 8 or Section 21 notice you served
- Proof of service of the notice
- Court fee payment
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Form N5B is specifically designed for Section 21 accelerated possession claims. This is the faster route because it's usually decided on paper without a hearing.
When You Can Use N5B
You can only use the accelerated procedure if:
- The tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
- The tenancy was granted on or after 15 January 1989
- You served a valid Section 21 notice (Form 6A)
- You are not claiming any rent arrears in this claim
- The notice period has expired
No Rent Claims With N5B
If you want to claim rent arrears at the same time as possession, you cannotuse N5B. You must use N5 instead, which means a standard (slower) possession claim with a hearing.
What N5B Requires
N5B is more comprehensive than N5 because it contains the particulars of claim within it:
- Property details and tenancy information
- Confirmation of AST status and how it arose
- Details of the Section 21 notice served
- Confirmation of deposit protection compliance
- Confirmation you provided the prescribed information (EPC, Gas Certificate, How to Rent)
- Statement of truth signed by the landlord
Documents to Attach to N5B
- Copy of the tenancy agreement
- Copy of the Section 21 notice (Form 6A)
- Proof of service of the notice
- Copy of the EPC
- Copy of the Gas Safety Certificate
- Proof the How to Rent guide was provided
- Deposit protection certificate and prescribed information
What Happens After Filing N5B
- Court sends claim to tenant with 14 days to respond
- If no defence filed, judge reviews papers
- If satisfied, judge makes possession order (no hearing)
- If defence filed or issues identified, hearing scheduled
Form N119 - Particulars of Claim
Form N119 accompanies Form N5. It's where you set out the detailed grounds for your claim and the evidence supporting it.
Structure of N119
The form asks for:
- Type of property: House, flat, room, etc.
- Type of tenancy: AST, assured, other
- Grounds relied upon: Which Section 8 grounds you're using
- Details of each ground: Specific facts supporting the ground
- Rent arrears details: If applicable, amounts and dates
- Previous possession orders: If any exist for this property
Writing Effective Particulars
Your particulars should be:
- Specific: Include dates, amounts, incident details
- Evidenced: Reference attached documents
- Complete: Cover all elements the ground requires
- Chronological: Present events in order
Attach a Rent Schedule
For rent arrears claims, attach a detailed rent schedule showing every payment due, every payment received, and the running balance. This is often more effective than trying to fit everything in the form itself.
Other Important Forms
Form N325 - Request for Warrant of Possession
Used after you have a possession order and the tenant hasn't left. This requests the court to issue a warrant for bailiffs to enforce eviction.
- When to use: After the possession order date has passed
- Fee: £130
- Processing: Court issues warrant, bailiffs schedule eviction
Form N244 - Application Notice
A general application form used for various requests during proceedings:
- Applying to enforce a suspended possession order
- Requesting an adjournment
- Asking for costs
- Other procedural applications
Form N215 - Certificate of Service
Confirms how and when you served documents on the tenant. Important for proving proper service.
Form N260 - Statement of Costs
If you're claiming legal costs beyond the fixed costs, you'll need to detail them on this form.
Form N54 - Defendant's Reply to Possession Claim
This is what the tenant uses to file a defence. Understanding this form helps you anticipate what defences might be raised.
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Completing Forms Correctly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong defendant name: Use the exact name on the tenancy agreement
- Incorrect property address: Match the tenancy agreement exactly
- Missing signatures: All forms need the statement of truth signed
- Calculation errors: Double-check rent arrears figures
- Missing documents: Attach everything required
- Wrong court: File at the court covering the property location
Statement of Truth
Every claim form requires a statement of truth:
"I believe that the facts stated in this claim form are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth."
This must be signed by you (the landlord) personally, not your agent, unless the agent has specific authority to sign on your behalf.
Filing Methods
- Online: Via Possession Claim Online (PCOL) - faster and cheaper
- Post: Send to the county court covering the property
- In person: Deliver to the court counter
Court Forms FAQ
Can I claim rent arrears with an accelerated claim?
No. If you use Form N5B (accelerated procedure), you cannot claim rent arrears. You would need to make a separate money claim later. If you want possession and rent arrears together, use Form N5 instead (standard procedure).
What if I make a mistake on the form?
Minor errors can sometimes be corrected. Significant errors may require you to start again. It's best to check everything carefully before filing. If you've already filed and notice a mistake, contact the court immediately.
How many copies do I need?
Submit the original plus one copy for each defendant (tenant). Keep a copy for yourself. For example: 1 tenant = 2 copies total for court, plus your own copy = 3 copies minimum.
Can my agent sign the forms?
The statement of truth should generally be signed by the landlord. An agent can sign if they have specific written authority and genuinely believe the facts are true. When in doubt, sign it yourself.
Which court do I file at?
File at the county court covering the area where the property is located. You can find this on the court finder at GOV.UK. Some areas have a designated county court hearing centre.
How long does processing take?
After filing, the court typically processes claims within 1-2 weeks. The tenant then has 14 days to respond. For N5B (accelerated), if no defence, a decision can come within 4-6 weeks. Standard N5 cases will have a hearing date set, usually 4-8 weeks out.
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