Getting possession in Wales

Getting possession in Wales

1. 1

   Check the contract

   Tenants are "contract-holders" with "occupation contracts" (tenancies from before 1 December 2022 were converted). Is it a periodic or fixed-term standard contract, and how often is rent due?

2. 2

   Why do you want possession?

   Serious rent arrearsMonthly rent: at least 2 months unpaid (weekly/fortnightly: 8 weeks). Section 181 — the court must make an order if the arrears are serious both on the notice date and at the hearing.

   Smaller arrears or other breachBreach of contract (section 157). Discretionary — the court must think it reasonable.

   No faultSection 173 notice: usually at least 6 months, not in the first 6 months, and only if deposit, written statement and safety rules were followed.
3. 3

   Give the possession notice on the Welsh form

   Use the Welsh Government's prescribed form for your ground and keep proof of service.

   ⏱ Serious arrears: 14 days · breach: 1 month · section 173: 6 months

4. 4

   Make the possession claim

   County court, with a rent statement and the notice. For serious arrears, claim within 6 months of the notice.

5. 5

   At the hearing

   Still seriously in arrearsThe court must make a possession order (subject only to human-rights defences).

   Paid below the thresholdSerious-arrears ground fails; a breach claim is up to the court's discretion.
6. !

   Use the Welsh forms

   English forms (like Form 3A) are invalid in Wales. Never change locks or remove belongings without a court order.

7. ✓

   Possession

   If they still don't leave, enforcement is by court bailiffs. Get a Welsh landlord solicitor to check the paperwork first.

Checked against official sources on 2 November 2026 · General information, not legal advice · landlordwala.com/diagrams/wales-possession