Rent Arrears Letter 3 — Notice of Possession Proceedings
Rent Arrears Letter 3 — Notice of Possession Proceedings
Formal notice that possession proceedings will begin — final warning before Section 8
Final Warning Before Section 8
This letter should be sent when arrears are 1+ months and previous letters have been ignored. It is not a Section 8 notice — that must be served separately using Form 3A.
[Landlord/Agent name and address]
[Date]
Dear [Tenant's name(s)],
Re: [Property address] — Notice of Intention to Commence Possession Proceedings
I have written to you on [date of Letter 1] and [date of Letter 2] regarding your outstanding rent. Despite these letters, the arrears remain unpaid and your account is now seriously overdue.
Arrears Summary
- Total arrears: £[total]
- Arrears period: [months / dates]
- Current monthly rent: £[amount]
Final Opportunity to Pay
This is your final opportunity to pay the outstanding arrears before I commence formal legal proceedings. You must pay the full amount of £[total] by[deadline — 7 days].
Notice of Intended Action
If payment is not received by the deadline above, I intend to:
- Serve a Section 8 Notice Seeking Possession (Form 3A) on the grounds of rent arrears (Grounds 8, 10, and 11 of the Housing Act 1988 as amended)
- Apply to the County Court for a possession order and amoney judgment for the full arrears plus court costs
Court costs and any additional legal fees will be added to the amount you owe.
Seeking Help
If you are in financial difficulty, I urge you to seek free advice immediately from:
- Citizens Advice — citizensadvice.org.uk or 0800 144 8848
- StepChange Debt Charity — stepchange.org or 0800 138 1111
- Your local council's housing department
Yours sincerely,
[Landlord/Agent name]
[Contact details]
Legal Note: This letter is not a Section 8 notice. A valid Section 8 notice (Form 3A) must be served separately. Keep this letter and proof of delivery as part of your evidence bundle.
Disclaimer
Guidance only. Landlord Handbook provides practical information to help landlords understand their responsibilities. It is not legal or financial advice. Always check the latest GOV.UK guidance and seek professional advice where appropriate.