Discretionary groundNotice: 4 weeks
Ground 10: Any rent arrears
Ground 10 covers any amount of rent arrears, no matter how small, at the time the notice is served and at the time of the court hearing. It is discretionary, meaning the court decides whether eviction is reasonable.
Ground 10 is almost always combined with Ground 8 (mandatory, 3 months) and Ground 11 (persistent late payment) on the same Form 3A.
What you need
- Some rent unpaid at the date of the notice and at the date of the hearing.
- Properly protected deposit.
- A Form 3A citing Ground 10 (ideally alongside 8 and 11).
Common mistakes
- Because the court has discretion, a sympathetic tenant story can defeat Ground 10 even with arrears proven. Document the rent payment history clearly.
- If the arrears clear before the hearing, Ground 10 fails. Ground 11 can still succeed if the late-payment pattern is shown.
Source: gov.uk Guide to the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Last verified 2026-05-09. This page is informational, not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a solicitor.