Yes, you may still be able to evict, but it depends on how much rent is still unpaid and which Section 8 grounds you used.
This situation is common. A tenant ignores rent for months, then makes a small payment after receiving notice. The landlord is left wondering whether the eviction can continue or if the payment has ruined the case.
The answer depends on the arrears balance at the notice stage, the hearing stage, and whether your notice included the right grounds.
The key rule landlords need to know
For notices served after 1 May 2026 in England, Ground 8 can be used where the tenant owes at least 3 months’ rent if rent is paid monthly, or at least 13 weeks’ rent if rent is paid weekly or fortnightly. The tenant must owe that level of arrears both when the notice is served and at the court hearing. If the tenant pays enough to bring arrears below that level before court, they cannot be evicted under Ground 8.
This is why part-payment matters.
If the tenant still owes enough rent, the claim may continue under Ground 8. If they reduce the balance below the Ground 8 threshold, the landlord may need to rely on other grounds, if they were included.
What if the tenant only pays a small amount?
A small payment does not automatically stop the eviction.
For example, if the tenant owed 4 months’ rent and then paid half a month, they may still be over the Ground 8 threshold. In that case, the landlord may still be able to continue, provided the notice and evidence are correct.
This is where a clear rent schedule matters. Landlords should update the arrears record after every payment and keep proof from bank statements.
For help with unpaid rent cases, link to your Rent Arrears Eviction Solicitors page.
What if the tenant pays below the Ground 8 level?
This is where things become more difficult.
Ground 8 is mandatory, but only if the legal test is met. If the tenant pays enough to bring arrears below the required amount before the hearing, the landlord may not succeed under Ground 8.
However, the landlord may still have options under:
- Ground 10, where some rent is still owed
- Ground 11, where the tenant has repeatedly paid rent late
Ground 10 and Ground 11 are discretionary. This means the court decides whether it is reasonable to make a possession order. GOV.UK confirms Ground 10 can apply where the tenant owes rent, and Ground 11 can apply where the tenant has repeatedly delayed paying rent.
For wider support with these grounds, use your Section 8 Eviction Solicitors page.
What landlords should do next
Do not cancel the process just because the tenant has paid something.
Instead:
- Check the latest rent arrears balance
- Update your rent statement
- Keep proof of the payment
- Check which grounds were used in the notice
- Keep all messages from the tenant
- Avoid accepting informal promises without a clear written record
- Get legal advice before withdrawing the claim
If the tenant has a history of late payments, keep evidence of every missed or delayed rent payment. This may help if you need to rely on persistent late payment.
Be careful with payment plans
A payment plan can sometimes help, but landlords should be careful.
If you agree to pause action while the tenant makes payments, put the agreement in writing. Make it clear what must be paid, when it must be paid, and what happens if the tenant misses another payment.
Do not rely on vague promises like “I’ll pay soon.”
If the situation is urgent or the tenant has already broken earlier promises, use Emergency Eviction Help for faster advice.
Related landlord guides
For landlords who want to understand the full process, these internal links fit naturally:
How Long Does Eviction Take in the UK?
How to Evict a Tenant in the UK
What Replaces Section 21 in 2026?
Bailiff Enforcement Solicitors
Final answer
If a tenant pays some rent arrears after notice, you may still be able to evict them. The main question is whether enough arrears remain at the court hearing and whether your Section 8 notice includes the right grounds.
If the arrears stay above the Ground 8 threshold, the case may continue. If the tenant pays below that level, you may need to rely on Ground 10 or Ground 11, but those are not automatic.
Before stopping or changing your case, check the rent balance, your notice, and your evidence. Small payments can affect the strategy, but they do not always end the eviction process.
