TLDR
Ground 1A allows landlords to regain possession if they intend to sell the whole property. However, it comes with long notice periods, strict conditions, and serious risks. This guide explains how it works and when selling with tenants in place may be the better option.
What’s in This Article
What Ground 1A is
How Ground 1A works in practice
Risks of using Ground 1A
Timelines landlords must expect
Selling without using Ground 1A
FAQs
Next steps
What Is Ground 1A
Ground 1A is a mandatory possession ground introduced to replace Section 21 for landlords who want to sell their property. It can only be used when the landlord intends to sell the entire building, not individual flats.
If the landlord meets all conditions, the court must grant possession. However, the burden of proof sits entirely with the landlord.
How Ground 1A Works When Selling
To use Ground 1A, landlords must:
Prove genuine intention to sell
Serve at least four months’ notice
Be fully compliant with safety and legal requirements
Sell the property after possession is granted
If the court believes the notice was served to remove tenants rather than sell, possession can be refused.
Ground 1A Notice Periods and Restrictions
Ground 1A Notice Rules
Minimum four months’ notice
Notice cannot be served in the first twelve months of a tenancy
All compliance documents must be valid
Ground 1A Re Letting Ban
After using Ground 1A, landlords cannot re let the property for twelve months. This applies even if the sale falls through.
This restriction creates major financial risk for block owners.
Risks of Using Ground 1A
Using Ground 1A can be risky because:
Tenants may challenge your intention to sell
Court delays are common
One tenant refusal can stall the entire block sale
Lost rental income during the notice period
No flexibility if plans change
For blocks with multiple tenants, this risk increases significantly.
Ground 1A and Block Sales
Blocks of flats often have:
Different tenancy start dates
Mixed tenant circumstances
Partial vacancies
Using Ground 1A across multiple units can create uneven possession timelines, making the block unattractive to buyers and reducing value.
Selling Without Using Ground 1A
Many landlords now choose to sell with tenants in situ instead of relying on possession grounds.
Citywide Blocks buys blocks:
With tenants still living there
Without serving Ground 1A
With arrears or compliance gaps
Without waiting months for possession
This avoids notice periods, court risk, and income loss.
When Ground 1A Is Not the Right Option
Ground 1A may not be suitable if:
You need to sell quickly
Tenants are vulnerable or likely to challenge
Rental income is essential
The block has compliance issues
In these cases, a direct sale is often safer.
FAQs
Is Ground 1A guaranteed to work
Only if all conditions are met and the court accepts the intention to sell.
How long does Ground 1A take
Typically six to twelve months or longer.
Can I sell without using Ground 1A
Yes. Selling with tenants in place is fully legal.
Next Steps for Landlords
Ground 1A is not a quick solution. If you want to sell without eviction delays or legal uncertainty, Citywide Blocks offers a fast and discreet alternative.
Call 0113 323 0678 for a free valuation and confidential discussion.
