Possession Claim Guide UKPossession Claim Guide UK

Prepare and file possession claim paperwork with solicitor-grade guidance for landlords.

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Before You Apply

You must have served a valid eviction notice (Section 21 or Section 8) and the notice period must have expired before making a possession claim. Haven't served notice yet? Start with Section 21 or Section 8 template.

Two Types of Possession Claim

The type you use depends on which eviction notice you served.

Fastest Option

Accelerated Possession

Form N5B

For Section 21 notices only. Usually decided on paper without a court hearing.

No hearing required (usually)
6-8 weeks average
Court fee: £355
Cannot claim arrears

Learn more about N5B

Standard Possession

Form N5

For Section 8 notices and some Section 21 cases. Requires a court hearing.

Court hearing required
8-12 weeks average
Court fee: £355
Can include arrears claim

Get N5 form in Complete Pack

The Possession Claim Process

What to expect from filing your claim to getting your property back.

Complete the Claim Form

Fill in form N5 or N5B with property details, tenant information, and grounds for possession. Attach a copy of your eviction notice and proof of service.

Our Complete Pack includes pre-filled templates with instructions.

File at the County Court

Submit your claim to the county court that covers your property's location. You can file online via PCOL (Possession Claims Online) or by post.

Court fee: £355 (payable on submission)

Court Serves the Tenant

The court sends a copy of your claim to the tenant along with a defence form. The tenant has 14 days to file a defence.

If they don't file a defence, you may get judgment in default.

Hearing or Paper Decision

N5B (Accelerated): Usually decided on paper. Judge reviews documents and makes order.
N5 (Standard): You attend a hearing to present your case.

Our Complete Pack includes witness statement templates for hearings.

Possession Order Granted

If successful, the court issues a possession order giving the tenant 14-42 days to leave. This is a legally binding court order.

If they still don't leave, proceed to apply for a warrant of possession.

Get All Court Forms Ready

Our Complete Eviction Pack includes N5, N5B, N119 forms plus witness statement templates and step-by-step filing instructions.

Get Complete Eviction Pack — £49.99

Possession Claim Costs

Budget for these court fees when planning your possession claim.

Item	Cost
Possession claim (N5 or N5B)	£355
County court bailiff warrant (N325)	£130
High Court enforcement (optional)	£66+
Total (typical)	£485-550

Plus our Complete Pack (£69.99) — save £850-1,550 vs solicitor fees

See full eviction cost breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

A possession claim is a legal application to the county court asking for an order that requires your tenant to leave the property. You can only make a possession claim after serving a valid eviction notice and the notice period has expired.

Form N5 is used for standard possession claims (Section 8 and some Section 21 cases) and requires a court hearing. Form N5B is for accelerated possession (Section 21 only) and is usually decided on paper without a hearing, making it faster.

The court fee is £355 for both standard (N5) and accelerated (N5B) possession claims. If you later need a bailiff warrant, that's an additional £130. Using a solicitor typically costs £1,000-2,000 on top of court fees.

Accelerated possession (N5B) typically takes 6-8 weeks from filing to order. Standard possession (N5) takes 8-12 weeks as it requires a hearing date. Add 4-6 weeks for bailiff enforcement if the tenant doesn't leave.

Yes. Tenants can file a defence within 14 days. For Section 21, defences are limited to procedural issues (invalid notice, deposit not protected). For Section 8, they can dispute the grounds or argue eviction would be unreasonable.

The judge reviews your evidence and hears both parties. For mandatory grounds (Section 8 Ground 8), the judge must grant possession if the ground is proved. For discretionary grounds, they consider whether eviction is reasonable.

If the court grants possession, they typically give the tenant 14 days to leave (or up to 42 days if the tenant claims exceptional hardship). After this date, you can apply for a bailiff warrant if they haven't left.

Yes, you can include a claim for rent arrears and costs in your possession claim using the same N5 form. The court can order the tenant to pay the arrears as part of the possession order.

Get Your Court Forms Now

Complete Eviction Pack includes N5, N5B, witness statements, and step-by-step instructions.

Get Complete Eviction Pack — £49.99 Notice Only — £19.99

All Court Forms Included • Witness Statements • Step-by-Step Guide

For general information only. This page provides educational content about UK landlord law and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified solicitor.

Related Resources

Complete Eviction Bundle

Full eviction package with court forms and guidance.

Eviction Notice Generator

Court-ready eviction notice for your jurisdiction.

N5B Form Guide

Accelerated possession

Warrant of Possession

Bailiff enforcement guide

Section 21 Notice Template

Free template download (England)

Section 8 Notice Template

Grounds-based eviction (England)