Glossary

Ground rent

Plain-English definition

An annual payment many leaseholders pay to their freeholder. Under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, ground rent on most new residential leases is now capped at zero. Historic ground rents on older leases can still apply.

Related terms

Section 8 notice

A formal eviction notice a landlord must serve before applying to court under one of the legal grounds in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988. Ground 8 (two months' rent arrears) is mandatory; the court must grant possession if it is proven.

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By: Support for Tenants editorial team

Last updated: 15 June 2026

Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.

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