Mandatory groundNotice: 2 months
Ground 5C: Employment-linked tenancy
When you let accommodation to someone you employ - and the employment ends.
Ground 5C is a mandatory ground that applies where a dwelling was let to a tenant because of their employment by the landlord, and that employment has since ended. It covers situations such as live-in caretakers, estate workers, domestic staff, or any other arrangement where the letting is explicitly tied to a job.
Because the ground is mandatory, the court must grant possession if the conditions are proved - but the employment link must be clearly documented from the outset.
What you need
- Employment contract or written agreement showing the tenancy was granted as a condition of, or benefit of, the employment.
- Evidence that the employment has ended (resignation letter, dismissal letter, or redundancy notice).
- The tenancy agreement itself should reference the employment relationship.
- Form 3A citing Ground 5C.
Common mistakes
- If the employment link was never put in writing, the ground becomes very difficult to prove. A separate tenancy agreement that makes no reference to employment is unlikely to satisfy the court.
- Unfair dismissal proceedings can complicate possession claims. If the employee disputes the termination of employment, the possession claim may be stayed pending the employment tribunal outcome.
- Do not confuse Ground 5C with tied accommodation under agricultural tenancies - different rules apply.
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.