Clarification on Mandatory Grounds 1 and 1A of the Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces some of the biggest changes to the private rented sector for over 30 years. Among those changes are the amended Ground 1 of Section 8 and the introduction og Ground 1A. These Grounds will be relied upon if a landlord intends to sell, or where the landlord or a close family member wish to move into the property.

Since the Renters’ Reform Bill and then the Renters’ Rights Bill were being drafted, there has been a lot of discussion around whether landlords could sell their properties and what the implications would be for them.

The following provides clarification on Grounds 1 and 1A.

Ground 1 has been amended for landlords to obtain possession if they or a family. member want to live in the rental property. Firstly, the property MUST become their principal / main home.

Secondly, the notice can be served after 8 months of the tenancy have passed by giving the tenant four-months notice, but the notice must NOT expire in the first 12 months of a new tenancy.

Ground 1A is the new mandatory Ground that will allow landlords to seek possession if they genuinely intend to sell the property.

As with Ground 1, the landlord must give the tenant four months’ notice.

The tenancy must be running for at least one year by the time the notice expires, which means the earliest expiry date for a Ground 1A notice is one year after the tenancy begins.

A landlord does not need to wait 12 months before serving notice,  they can serve notice after 8 months, but the notice must not expire in the first 12 months of the tenancy.

Please note that both Grounds 1 and 1A have additional restrictions the landlord must adhere to.  If the tenant vacates, the landlord will NOT be able to relet the property 12 months from the expiry date of the section 8 notice

If a landlord were to advertise or let the property during the restricted period, the landlord would be committing a criminal offence.

For further information see the guidance issued by the Government.