Section 8 notices and joint tenants

For a Section 8 notice, joint tenants must all be named on Form 3A, and each one should get their own copy. That includes a tenant who has moved out but is still a party to the tenancy. Missing a joint tenant is a common reason notices fail, and it is entirely avoidable.

Who must be named on a Section 8 notice for joint tenants?

Question 1.1 of Form 3A asks for the full names of the tenants, and the form's note says all joint tenants must be listed. In practice:

• Copy the names from the tenancy agreement, spelled the same way, including middle names if the agreement uses them.
• Include anyone added later, for example a partner who became a joint tenant by a written variation.
• Include a tenant who has moved out if they are still a tenant. The courts have held that a notice must name all joint tenants even if some no longer live at the property.
• Don't include people who aren't tenants, such as a guarantor, a lodger of the tenant or the tenant's children. They aren't parties to the tenancy.

If you're not sure whether someone is still a tenant (for example, a tenant left and you may have agreed to release them), check your written records. If you're still unsure, speak to a solicitor before you serve.

How to serve joint tenants

GOV.UK's guidance for landlords says to give a copy of the notice to each tenant named in the tenancy agreement and keep the original. Follow any service method in the tenancy agreement first. Otherwise:

1. Tenants living together: hand each tenant their own copy, or put separate envelopes, each addressed to one tenant, through the letterbox.
2. A tenant who has moved out: serve their copy at the property and, to be safe, also at any forwarding or work address you know.
3. Record it all: complete form N215 or endorse your copy for each tenant, noting how and when each copy was served.

The dates in the notice run from service, so if you serve the tenants on different days, base question 2.1 on the latest service date. Our guide on how to serve a Section 8 notice covers methods and proof in detail.

What if one joint tenant has left?

The courts have said a notice must name all joint tenants even if some no longer live at the property, so treat a tenant who has moved out as still on the tenancy unless it has been formally ended or changed. GOV.UK also says all joint tenants are responsible for the rent. That has three practical effects:

• Name and serve them as above.
• Count the arrears for the whole tenancy. For Ground 8, look at the total rent unpaid under the tenancy, not each tenant's "share".
• Watch for a notice to quit. Since 1 May 2026 a tenant ends a tenancy by giving at least 2 months' written notice to quit. GOV.UK says one joint tenant will usually be able to end the joint tenancy without the agreement of the others. If the departing tenant gives you a valid notice, the whole tenancy may end on its expiry date, which changes your position for the tenants who stay.

What happens to the remaining occupiers after one joint tenant ends the tenancy is a complex area. If it arises, speak to a solicitor before you serve a notice or take any other step, and never change the locks. If you want the remaining tenants to stay, you can grant them a new tenancy. See how tenants end a tenancy.

How the grounds work with joint tenants

Most grounds are about the tenancy as a whole or about the conduct of anyone living there, so one tenant's actions can support a ground against the tenancy.

Ground	Whose conduct or situation counts
8, 10 and 11 (rent arrears)	Rent unpaid under the tenancy; all joint tenants are responsible for the rent
12 (breach of tenancy)	Any breach of a tenancy obligation
13 (damage to the property)	The tenant or anyone living there
14 (nuisance or antisocial behaviour)	The tenant, anyone living there or a visitor
15 (damage to furniture)	The tenant or anyone living there
17 (false statement)	A tenant who was one of the original tenants, or someone acting at their instigation
7B (no right to rent)	The Home Office notice names the tenant or tenants, or adult occupiers, who are disqualified. The court may transfer the tenancy to a qualifying joint tenant instead of ending it

In question 4.3, explain which tenant did what. It helps the court and shows the notice gives every tenant enough information to respond.

Joint landlords

If two or more of you own the property as joint landlords:

• Serving: the notice can be served by the landlord or, with joint landlords, by at least one of them.
• Signing: each joint landlord signs, using the additional signatures page (room for three more), or you agree that one of you signs for all.
• Ground 1: it is enough that at least one of the joint landlords needs the home for themselves or a close family member.
• Details: questions 5.4 and 5.5 ask for the name and address of the person who completed and signed the form.

Joint tenants at court

When you claim possession, form N119 asks for details of every person in possession of the property. Keep the proof of service for each tenant's copy with your notice, as you may need to show the court that every tenant was served. See form N119 for the particulars of claim.

What to do next

Before you serve, list every tenant from the tenancy agreement and every address you have for them. ValidNotice asks for each joint tenant, prints all their names in question 1.1 and produces a certificate of service for each copy. Then read how to fill in Form 3A, or return to the Section 8 notice guide.