England Form 3A ground guide
How to Evict a Tenant Using Ground 1 - Landlord or Family Moving In
Use this landlord guide to check what Ground 1 means, the current post-May 2026 notice period, the evidence to gather, and the safest next document step before serving Form 3A.
Ground meaning
Ground 1 is for the situation where the landlord, their spouse, civil partner, or another qualifying close family member needs to live in the property as a home.
Mandatory or discretionary status
Ground 1 is mandatory.
Current notice period
The current post-May 2026 notice period is 4 months.
How landlords use Ground 1
Landlords use Ground 1 when the reason for possession is occupation, not sale, arrears, or tenant conduct. The notice must explain who needs to move in, why the property is needed, and how the facts fit Ground 1.
Use our validated, solicitor-approved Notice Only route when you need a Form 3A notice and service pack. Use Complete Pack when court progression is likely and you want official court forms, evidence prompts, and a court-ready file prepared together.
Post-May 2026 compliance note
For post-May 2026 England cases, use Form 3A, give the current 4 months notice, and make sure the notice cannot expire before the 12-month protected period has ended. Keep deposit compliance and service proof ready unless an exception applies.
The notice must set out the substance of the ground and the reasons relied on. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord must prove the ground at court with a consistent notice, service record, and evidence bundle.
Common mistakes with Ground 1
- Treating Ground 1 as a general no-fault replacement
- Forgetting that the current post-May 2026 notice period is 4 months
- Letting the notice expire inside the first 12 months of the tenancy
- Failing to explain which family member needs the property and why
- Using sale evidence when the real route should be Ground 1A
Ground 1 evidence checklist
Ground 1 evidence should show a real occupation plan, not a vague preference to take the property back.
- Identity and relationship evidence for the landlord or family member who will occupy
- A written occupation statement explaining who will move in and why
- Tenancy start date and notice-expiry calculation showing the protected period has been respected
- Tenancy agreement, deposit protection, prescribed information, and service records
- Any supporting practical evidence such as school, work, care, sale-chain, or accommodation records
Next step
Prepare the right document route for Ground 1
Start with Notice Only if you need the notice and service pack now. Choose Complete Pack if you expect the tenant may stay and you want the court paperwork prepared around the same facts.
Related grounds
Ground 1 FAQs
Answers to common landlord questions about using Ground 1 in England.