Section 21 is gone.
Your paperwork has
never mattered more.
Since 1st May 2026, every landlord in England who needs to regain possession must rely on Section 8. Missing a prescribed information document, an unprotected deposit, or a lapsed certificate can be enough to have your claim struck out entirely. This checklist audits your readiness across 32 critical checks.
Know where you stand before you need to act
32 checks · Instant verdict · PDF included.
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Preview — what you'll get
What happens when your paperwork doesn't hold up in court
What happens to a Section 8 claim when prescribed information was not correctly served
Window to protect a deposit and serve prescribed information — miss it and your claim is at risk
Abolished 1 May 2026. There is no fallback. Section 8 is the only route to possession in England
Cost of a failed possession hearing that proper paperwork could have prevented entirely
The checklist exists to help you avoid reaching any of these outcomes. Work through it now, before you ever need to.
How it works
Know your readiness in under 10 minutes
Work through 32 checks
Six categories covering tenancy paperwork, prescribed information, arrears records, Section 8 grounds, compliance, and your evidence trail. Tick Yes, Not Sure, No, or N/A for each.
See your readiness score
Get a colour-coded verdict: Possession Ready, Gaps to Address, or Not Possession Ready. Critical gaps in prescribed information and arrears records are flagged separately.
Download your PDF
One click exports a branded report with every check, your answers, the category breakdown, and all legal callouts. Share with your solicitor or keep in your records.
What's included
32 checks across every area that matters
From tenancy agreement validity to Section 8 grounds knowledge — every document, deadline, and piece of evidence that a court will expect you to have.
Tenancy Agreement
6 checks6 checks covering the signed agreement, tenant copy, RRA 2026 compliance, rent terms, and any written variations.
Prescribed Information
7 checks7 checks across deposit protection, How to Rent guide, EPC, Gas Safety, EICR, and proof of service for each document.
Rent & Arrears Records
5 checks5 checks covering rent ledger completeness, payment documentation, communication records, and repayment plan evidence.
Section 8 Grounds
7 checks7 checks across the grounds you intend to rely on — mandatory Ground 8, discretionary Grounds 10 & 11, notice periods, and legal advice.
Property Compliance
4 checks4 checks: gas cert, EICR, smoke and CO alarms, and outstanding enforcement or improvement notices from the local authority.
Evidence & Paper Trail
3 checks3 checks covering your full communications log, signed move-in inventory, and whether all documents are securely stored and accessible.
Why landlords use this
Find and fix the gaps before you ever need to act
- Updated for the Renters Rights Act 2026 — Section 21 context throughout
- Covers all 6 areas courts expect you to have in order before a Section 8 claim
- Prescribed information gaps flagged with a dedicated urgent callout
- Section 8 grounds explained — mandatory vs discretionary, notice periods, what's needed
- Colour-coded verdict: Possession Ready / Gaps to Address / Not Possession Ready
- Nothing sent to a server — all answers stored in your browser
- PDF report formatted for sharing with your solicitor
"I had no idea my deposit prescribed information was potentially defective. This checklist flagged it before I'd even thought about serving notice. Sorted it with my solicitor in a week."
Portfolio landlord— 5 properties, Lancashire
"The Section 8 grounds section was eye-opening. I didn't fully understand the difference between Ground 8 and Ground 10 before doing this. Now I do — and my rent ledger is watertight."
Private landlord— Birmingham
"Ran this before a difficult conversation with a non-paying tenant. Knew exactly where I stood before picking up the phone. That confidence makes a real difference."
BTL investor— 3 properties, Bristol
The best time to fix your paperwork is before you need it.
HomeDash tracks every certificate expiry, compliance deadline, and tenancy document across your entire portfolio — automatically flagging what needs attention before it becomes a problem in court.
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