Anti-social behaviour: Grounds 7A and 14 allow immediate court proceedings

The tenant, or someone living in or visiting the property, has engaged in anti-social or criminal behaviour.

Ground 7A (mandatory) requires one of: conviction for a serious offence in or near the property (or against neighbours, the landlord or staff); a court finding of breach of an anti-social behaviour injunction; conviction for breach of a criminal behaviour order; a closure order with access prohibited for more than 48 hours; or a noise-nuisance conviction. Serve within 12 months of the conviction or finding (3 months of a closure order). Ground 14 (discretionary) covers nuisance or annoyance to people in the locality, the landlord or housing staff, and convictions for illegal or immoral use or indictable offences in the locality. Proceedings may begin on the day the notice is served.

Deadline

Within 0 days of serving notice

No minimum notice period (HA 1988 s.8(4)); Ground 7A notice time limits in s.8(4C)-(4F).

• Incident diary
• Witness statements
• Police or council records, conviction or order documents
• Form 3A

Other consequences

Deposit-protection and (once commenced) PRS Database possession bars do not apply to Grounds 7A and 14.

• Housing Act 1988, Schedule 2 Grounds 7A and 14legislation.gov.uk
• Housing Act 1988, s.8(4) and (4C)-(4F)legislation.gov.uk
• Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.26 (new HA 2004 s.215(4): deposit bar does not apply to Grounds 7A/14)legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

GOV.UK grounds guidance also states the court will not make a possession order until 14 days after notice was given for Grounds 7A and 14; that point is attributed to GOV.UK and was not located in the Housing Act 1988 text reviewed. For Ground 14 the court must consider factors such as the impact on others and the tenant's response to attempts to resolve the behaviour (RRA s.4, summarised by GOV.UK).

• Section 21 is abolished: never serve a section 21, notice to quit or informal eviction noticeIn force since 1 May 2026Fine up to £7,000

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• Ground 4A: student HMOs need prior written notice and 4 months' notice ending 1 June to 30 SeptemberIn force since 1 May 2026

  If you let an HMO to full-time students and want it back for the next academic year, you must have told them in writing before signing and give 4 months' notice dated between 1 June and 30 September.

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