What counts as 'substantial works' under Ground 6?

The works must materially affect the property - typically demolition, major structural alteration, or a reconstruction that cannot be done with the tenant in occupation. Routine repairs, redecoration, replacing a kitchen, or a single-room conversion will not normally qualify.

Am I entitled to compensation if Ground 6 succeeds?

Under the current section 11 of the Housing Act 1988, reasonable removal expenses are payable where the landlord is a relevant social landlord and the dwelling is social housing. It is not a universal Ground 6 payment for every private tenancy. Keep evidence of likely removal costs and get advice on the regime applying to your order.

What happens if the landlord re-lets after Ground 6 without doing the works?

Later conduct may be relevant evidence about whether the redevelopment intention was genuine when Ground 6 was decided, but Ground 6 does not carry the same specific letting-and-marketing prohibition as Grounds 1 and 1A. Any remedy depends on the evidence, procedure, and legal basis.

Does a Ground 6 Section 8 notice mean I have to leave immediately?

No. A Section 8 notice never gives a landlord the right to evict you on its own. Even after the notice period expires, the landlord must apply to the county court, win a possession order, and then book a court bailiff. Until a bailiff with a warrant attends, you do not have to leave. If anyone tries to remove you without that paperwork, that is illegal eviction.

Where can I get free, urgent advice?

Call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or contact your local Citizens Advice. If you are at immediate risk of being locked out, contact the police and your local council's tenancy relations team. This guide is legal information, not legal advice.

Section 8 Ground 6: demolition, reconstruction, or substantial works

Published and maintained by the Get Renters Rights teamUpdated 7 October 2026Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026How we build these checkers

Direct answer

Ground 6 is a mandatory redevelopment ground with a 4-month notice period. It has detailed landlord, tenancy, intended-work, possession-necessity, protected-period, acquisition, and social-landlord conditions.

Prepare your Ground 6 evidence checklist

Keep the notice and the landlord's explanation together so an adviser can compare the proposed works with your tenancy documents.

Worksheet content updated 14 September 2026. This is not a legal review date.

For private renters in England. Record only what you know; mark missing information as unknown. These worksheets organize facts for advice and do not decide your legal rights.

Copy every page of the notice, its envelope and any covering email. Record when and how you received it.
Keep your tenancy agreement and any later changes. Record the start date from the documents rather than guessing.
Save the landlord's description of the proposed works, plans, contractor correspondence and any proposed timetable supplied to you.
Write down what the landlord has said about why you cannot remain during the work. Separate their statements from your own observations.
Keep messages about access, alternative arrangements and any court papers. Bring the dates and questions you cannot answer to a housing adviser.

Download editable worksheet (.txt)

Received a notice citing this ground? Run the free Section 8 notice checker.

This checker does not estimate success for Ground 6 because its limited intake does not capture all statutory landlord, acquisition, protected-period, and social-landlord conditions.

This is legal information, not legal advice. If your situation is urgent or already in court, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or contact your local Citizens Advice for free expert advice.

Free checkers

Section 8 checker
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All Section 8 grounds
Browse the hub of the main Section 8 possession grounds private renters face.

Other Section 8 grounds of the same type

Section 8 Ground 7: death of the former tenant
Ground 7, Schedule 2 HA 1988: tenancy inherited under a will or intestacy. Mandatory ground with residence, timing, and 2-month notice rules explained.
Section 8 Ground 7A: serious anti-social behaviour
Ground 7A, Schedule 2 HA 1988: qualifying serious anti-social or criminal behaviour. Current immediate proceedings and 14-day order floor explained.
Section 8 Ground 7B: no right to rent
Ground 7B, Schedule 2 HA 1988: tenant has no right to rent in the UK. Mandatory ground requires Home Office notice. 2 weeks notice period. Defences explained.
Section 8 Ground 1: landlord or family moving in
Ground 1, Schedule 2 HA 1988: landlord or close family member needs the property. Mandatory, 4 months notice, 12-month tenancy minimum. Defences explained.
Section 8 Ground 1A: landlord intends to sell
Ground 1A, HA 1988: landlord intends to sell. Mandatory, 4 months notice, 12-month protected period, compulsory-acquisition exception, and proof explained.
Section 8 Ground 2: mortgage lender requires possession
Ground 2, Schedule 2 HA 1988: mortgagee sale with vacant possession. Current 4-month notice and date-dependent legacy conditions explained.

Sources used for this guide

These are primary legislation and public guidance sources that support the legal-information framework used on this page.

Housing Act 1988
Primary statute for assured tenancies, Section 8 possession notices, Schedule 2 grounds, and legacy Section 21 rules.
Renters' Rights Act 2025
Primary reform statute referenced by these guides for the 2026 private rented sector changes in England.
GOV.UK assured tenancy forms guidance
Official forms guidance for assured tenancy possession notices, including the current Section 8 notice forms used in England.
GOV.UK: grounds for possession tenant guidance
Government guidance for tenants on possession notices, grounds, court, possession order, and enforcement stages.
Shelter Legal: Section 8 notices
Shelter Legal guidance on Section 8 notice validity, Form 3, particulars, service, notice periods, and time limits.

Section 8 eviction grounds in 2026
The main guide to mandatory and discretionary Section 8 grounds, notice periods, evidence, and court reasoning.
Can my landlord evict me in 2026?
A route-selection guide for tenants trying to distinguish valid possession, informal pressure, and unlawful eviction.
Section 8 notice periods by ground in 2026
Section 8 notice periods by ground after 1 May 2026. Compare rent arrears, sale, occupation, breach and anti-social behaviour timings.
Section 8 Form 3A and Form 3: what tenants should check
Received a Section 8 notice in England? Check Form 3A or an older Form 3 for missing details, dates and grounds. Start a free notice check.
Possession order: what happens next?
What happens after a possession order in England: dates, suspended orders, outright orders, warrants, bailiffs, urgent advice, and evidence to keep.

Common questions

What counts as 'substantial works' under Ground 6?: The works must materially affect the property - typically demolition, major structural alteration, or a reconstruction that cannot be done with the tenant in occupation. Routine repairs, redecoration, replacing a kitchen, or a single-room conversion will not normally qualify.
Am I entitled to compensation if Ground 6 succeeds?: Under the current section 11 of the Housing Act 1988, reasonable removal expenses are payable where the landlord is a relevant social landlord and the dwelling is social housing. It is not a universal Ground 6 payment for every private tenancy. Keep evidence of likely removal costs and get advice on the regime applying to your order.
What happens if the landlord re-lets after Ground 6 without doing the works?: Later conduct may be relevant evidence about whether the redevelopment intention was genuine when Ground 6 was decided, but Ground 6 does not carry the same specific letting-and-marketing prohibition as Grounds 1 and 1A. Any remedy depends on the evidence, procedure, and legal basis.
Does a Ground 6 Section 8 notice mean I have to leave immediately?: No. A Section 8 notice never gives a landlord the right to evict you on its own. Even after the notice period expires, the landlord must apply to the county court, win a possession order, and then book a court bailiff. Until a bailiff with a warrant attends, you do not have to leave. If anyone tries to remove you without that paperwork, that is illegal eviction.
Where can I get free, urgent advice?: Call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or contact your local Citizens Advice. If you are at immediate risk of being locked out, contact the police and your local council's tenancy relations team. This guide is legal information, not legal advice.

Run the Section 8 checker