The tenancy isn't working out. You're issuing a Section 21 next week, but the landlord wants to know what evidence the court will want if it goes to a possession hearing.
A properly assembled Section 21 pack is the difference between a clean possession and a struck-out claim. Get the pack right at issue and the hearing is straightforward.
Documents the court will expect
The Section 21 notice itself, the AST, evidence the deposit was protected (or wasn't taken), the gas safety certificate in force at the start of the tenancy and at the date of service, the EPC in force at the same dates, and the latest How to Rent guide. Without each of these, the notice may be invalid.
Assemble in order
Use merge PDF to combine the documents in this order: notice, AST, deposit prescribed information, gas safety, EPC, How to Rent guide. This is the order the court reads them in. A clear contents page at the front speeds the hearing.
Dates and versions
The gas safety and How to Rent guide versions must be the ones in force when the tenancy started AND when the notice is served. If you served an updated How to Rent guide during the tenancy, include both versions with clear date labels. Use annotate PDF to add a date stamp to each document if it's not already obvious from the document itself.
Service evidence
However you serve the Section 21 — first class post, in person, email if the AST allows — keep evidence of service. Combine the service evidence (postal receipt, photo of in-person delivery, email transmission record) into the pack as the final section. If service is contested at hearing, this evidence is critical.
FAQ
What's the consequence of missing a prescribed document?
The Section 21 notice may be invalid. The judge will dismiss the possession claim and you'll need to start again — typically with a fresh notice once the documents are properly served.
Does the gas safety certificate need to be the latest version?
Yes — the version in force at the date of service. Keep certificates organised by year so you can pull the right one.
How long is a Section 21 notice valid for?
Six months from issue (England). Use this window to file at court if the tenant doesn't leave.
Should the landlord see the pack before service?
Yes — the landlord is the claimant in any possession claim. They should know exactly what's being served and what evidence is held.
Section 21 hearings reward thorough preparation. Build the pack in Flint, get the prescribed documents in order, and the hearing is a formality.