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Possession Claim GuidePossession Claim Guide
Understand when landlords use N5 or N5B, what paperwork the court usually expects, and how to prepare a stronger possession file once the notice stage has expired.
This guide explains how landlords usually move from notice stage to court stage, what the difference is between accelerated possession and standard possession, what costs to expect, and where weak possession files usually go wrong.
Reviewed
21 March 2026
Applies to
England only
Current position
This guide is written for england only and should be read alongside the current possession route for that jurisdiction.
Start here if you need the main guide on this issue. If your situation is narrower or you want the next practical step, go to N5B possession claim guide.
If you want the wider background first, read eviction process in the UK.
Ready to act? The quickest route from here is complete eviction pack for England.
Before You Apply
Landlords usually need a valid notice in place before starting a possession claim. If the notice stage is not complete yet, start there first with Section 21 or Section 8.
Two Main Possession Claim Routes
The route usually depends on the notice you served, whether the claim is document-based, and whether you also need arrears dealt with in the same court action.
Accelerated Possession
Form N5BUsually used after a Section 21 route where the landlord is asking mainly for possession and the court can often review the paperwork without a full hearing.
- Often document-based
- Usually quicker than standard possession
- Court issue fee still applies
- Usually not the route for a combined arrears judgment
Standard Possession
Form N5Usually used where the claim includes a hearing stage, such as many Section 8 routes, and where the court needs to consider the evidence and legal route more fully.
- Usually involves a hearing
- Often slower than accelerated possession
- Court issue fee still applies
- Can often sit alongside an arrears claim
The Possession Claim Process
What landlords usually move through once the notice period has expired and the tenant has not left.
Review the file before issue
Before making the claim, landlords usually review the notice, service evidence, tenancy records, and compliance documents. Weak files often fail because the court stage is started before the notice stage has really been checked properly.
This is usually where Complete Pack becomes valuable.
Complete the court forms
The landlord prepares the relevant possession paperwork, usually N5B for accelerated possession or N5 and related forms for standard possession. The key issue is not just completing the form, but making sure the supporting file is consistent with it.
Court forms are only as strong as the file behind them.
Issue the claim with the court
The claim is filed with the county court together with the issue fee. At that point, the court process formally starts and the tenant is served through the court process.
The usual issue fee is £355.
The tenant may respond or defend
The tenant can respond to the claim. In practical terms, this usually means the court looks more closely at the notice, the route used, the grounds relied on, or the file quality.
Defences often expose file weakness rather than create it.
Paper decision or hearing
In accelerated possession, the judge may decide the case on the papers if the file is clear enough. In standard possession, the claim usually moves to a hearing where the judge considers the route, evidence, and any defence.
Clear documents often make the difference here.
Possession order and enforcement if needed
If the claim succeeds, the court usually makes a possession order giving the tenant time to leave. If the tenant still does not go, the landlord may then need to move to enforcement.
The next stage is often a warrant of possession.
Get The Court Forms And Guidance Together
Complete Pack is built for landlords who have already moved beyond notice stage and need the court paperwork, supporting templates, and filing guidance together.
Possession Claim Costs
The court fee is only one part of the overall possession-stage cost. Landlords usually also need to think about enforcement and whether weak preparation creates delay or repeat work.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Possession claim issue fee | £355 |
| County court bailiff warrant | Usually extra |
| Further enforcement or extra steps | Varies |
| Main cost risk | Delay from weak paperwork |
Complete Pack (£89.99) helps landlords avoid piecing the court stage together manually.
See full eviction cost breakdownFrequently Asked Questions
Move From Notice Stage To Court Stage Properly
Use Complete Pack if the notice stage is done and you now need the court forms, supporting templates, and filing guidance together.
All court forms included • Witness statements • Step-by-step guide