England Form 3A ground guide

How to Evict a Tenant Using Ground 15 - Furniture Deterioration

Use this landlord guide to check what Ground 15 means, the current post-May 2026 notice period, the evidence to gather, and the safest next document step before serving Form 3A.

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Ground meaning

Ground 15 is for deterioration of furniture provided under the tenancy where the tenant, occupier, or visitor is responsible.

Mandatory or discretionary status

Ground 15 is discretionary.

Current notice period

The current post-May 2026 notice period is 2 weeks.

How landlords use Ground 15

Landlords use Ground 15 where supplied furniture has been damaged or allowed to deteriorate beyond fair wear and tear. It is narrower than Ground 13.

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.

See a real Form 3A notice with sample Ground 15 evidence.

Post-May 2026 compliance note

For post-May 2026 England cases, use Form 3A and give 2 weeks notice. The evidence should prove the furniture was supplied, its original condition, current damage, and responsibility.

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 15

Using Ground 15 for building damage that belongs under Ground 13
Having no inventory proving the furniture was supplied
Claiming replacement cost without condition or age evidence
Ignoring fair wear and tear
Not itemising the damaged furniture clearly

Ground 15 evidence checklist

Ground 15 evidence should show the supplied item, its starting condition, and what changed.

Inventory listing the furniture supplied with condition notes
Check-in and current photographs of each damaged item
Repair or replacement quotes with betterment considered
Inspection notes, tenant reports, and correspondence
Evidence linking the deterioration to the tenant, occupier, or visitor

Download the ungated Ground 15 PDF checklist.

Next step

Prepare the right document route for Ground 15

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.

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Ground 15 FAQs

Answers to common landlord questions about using Ground 15 in England.

Ground 15 covers furniture supplied by the landlord under the tenancy, not the structure of the property itself.

Yes. The court considers the evidence and whether possession is reasonable.

Courts do not pre-approve notices. A validated Form 3A and inventory evidence can help, but the court decides whether the ground is proved.

Use Ground 13 where the property itself has deteriorated. Use both only where the evidence supports both property and furniture deterioration.