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Make an accelerated claim for possession of a property located wholly in England: Form N5B

Use this form to make an accelerated claim for possession of a property you own in England. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 may affect your claim – see 'Details' on this page.

From:
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Published:
1 August 2017
Last updated:
5 August 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Claim possession of a property located wholly in England (accelerated procedure): Form N5B

PDF, 1.15 MB, 20 pages

Details

Renters’ Rights Act 2025

In most cases, you can only make an accelerated claim for possession if you are:

  • a private registered provider of social housing claiming possession of a social housing assured tenancy in England
  • a private or social landlord of a property in Wales (you must use the N5B Wales form)

Private landlords in England

You may still be able to make an accelerated claim in limited circumstances.

This applies if either:

  • you served a valid section 8 or section 21 notice before 1 May 2026, which was still valid immediately before 1 May 2026, and you made a claim for possession either before the notice expired or 1 August 2026, whichever date came first, and that claim has not yet concluded

  • you served a valid section 8 notice for rent arrears before 1 May 2026, which was still valid immediately before 1 May 2026, but you could not continue your possession claim proceed with the possession process before 1 August 2026 because the tenant went into a breathing space

A breathing space gives someone temporary legal protection from creditors. It can be either:

  • a standard breathing space, which usually lasts up to 60 days
  • a mental health crisis breathing space, which lasts for the duration of treatment plus 30 days

More information about breathing space is available in the debt respite scheme guidance.

If you’re not sure whether you can use the accelerated possession process, you should take legal advice on your individual circumstances.

For more information, see Renting out your property: guidance for landlords and letting agents.

Send your form to the county court nearest to the property you are claiming possession for.

Find more court and tribunal forms by category.

Find out how HM Courts and Tribunals Service uses personal information you give when you fill in a form.

Updates to this page

Published 1 August 2017
Last updated 5 August 2026 Show all updates

  1. Amended Welsh translation to body text

  2. Updated details within body to reflect new policy and legislation re when a user can apply for possession and information regarding breathing space.

  3. Made some clarification around eligibility for the process.

  4. Added the Welsh landing page.

  5. New forms and information for the Renters' Rights Act.

  6. Updated N5B form.

  7. Updated N5B Form.

  8. Updated form N5B.

  9. English version updated

  10. First published.

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