Can I stop an eviction by paying off my rent arrears?

Short answer

Often, yes. If your landlord relies on the mandatory arrears ground (Ground 8), clearing the arrears before the court hearing means the ground cannot be proved and the claim should fail. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 raised that mandatory threshold to three months’ arrears, giving you more time.

Rent arrears are the most common reason landlords seek possession — and also the situation where tenants have the most power to change the outcome before the hearing.

How the arrears grounds work

A Section 8 notice must state which grounds the landlord relies on:

Ground 8 (mandatory): under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, at least three months' arrears (for monthly tenancies) both when the notice is served and at the court hearing. If it is proved at both points, the court must grant possession. But that double requirement is your opening: pay the arrears below the threshold before the hearing and the mandatory ground fails. Where arrears are between one and three months, the landlord must also give four weeks' notice before applying to court — time you can use.
Grounds 10 and 11 (discretionary): any arrears, or persistent late payment. Here the court weighs whether possession is reasonable — clearing or substantially reducing the arrears, showing the cause (such as a benefit delay) and a realistic repayment plan all strengthen your case. The court can refuse possession or suspend an order on terms you can afford.

Practical steps before the hearing

Prioritise the arrears — as a debt that can cost you your home, rent comes before credit cards and loans.
Check your income: if Universal Credit housing element or Housing Benefit is delayed or underpaid, sort it urgently, and consider a Discretionary Housing Payment from the council.
Check the notice itself: wrong form, wrong notice period, or failures such as unprotected deposits can make a claim defective. Our Section 8 validity checker walks through the tests.
Attend the hearing — free advice is often available from a duty adviser at court, and Shelter (0808 800 4444) can help you prepare. If you are at risk of losing your home, apply to the council for homelessness help now rather than after any order.

Read the full guide: Section 8 Notice and Grounds for PossessionCovers eligibility, the process, deadlines, and next steps in depth.

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