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The landlord intends to sell the freehold or leasehold interest in the property with vacant possession.
Ground 1A is a new mandatory ground for possession introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It allows a landlord to recover possession where they intend to sell the freehold or leasehold interest in the property and require vacant possession in order to do so.
Before the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords who wanted to sell their property with vacant possession typically relied on serving a Section 21 notice. With Section 21 abolished, Ground 1A fills that gap by providing a specific, evidence-based route to possession for the purpose of sale. The ground recognises that landlords have a legitimate interest in being able to realise the capital value of their asset.
To rely on Ground 1A, the landlord must demonstrate a genuine intention to sell the property. Evidence might include instructions to an estate agent, a valuation, marketing materials, or correspondence with a solicitor about the proposed sale. The court will assess whether the stated intention is genuine and not merely a pretext for removing the tenant.
Like Ground 1, Ground 1A is subject to the 12-month restriction introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. A landlord cannot serve a Section 8 notice relying on Ground 1A during the first 12 months of the tenancy. This protects tenants from being asked to leave shortly after moving in because the landlord has decided to sell.
The notice period for Ground 1A is 4 months. The landlord must serve a valid Section 8 notice specifying Ground 1A and allow the full notice period to expire before issuing court proceedings. Proceedings must be started within 12 months of the notice being served.
As a mandatory ground, the court must grant possession if the landlord proves the ground is made out. The judge cannot refuse on the basis that it would be unreasonable. However, if the landlord does not proceed with the sale within a reasonable period after obtaining possession, this could be treated as misuse. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 gives local authorities the power to impose financial penalties on landlords who obtain possession under Ground 1A and then re-let the property within 12 months instead of selling.
A properly drafted tenancy agreement makes it far easier to rely on Section 8 grounds if things go wrong. Generate your complete RRA-compliant document pack in minutes.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change and individual circumstances vary. You should always seek independent legal advice before taking action to recover possession. TenancyPack is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.