Form N11B UK: Defence Form for Possession Claims

What this document is

Form N11B is the official court defence form used in accelerated possession proceedings in England. Accelerated possession is a paper-only route landlords can take under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to recover a property let on an assured shorthold tenancy, provided certain conditions are met (a valid written tenancy, a correctly served section 21 notice, and no claim for unpaid rent in the same proceedings).

Because the procedure skips a hearing in most cases, the court relies heavily on the written material in front of it. That means your defence form is usually your one chance to be heard. On Form N11B you confirm whether you agree with what the landlord has said, flag any problems with how the section 21 notice was served, raise issues around deposit protection, and explain any personal circumstances that may affect when possession should take effect. It is not the place to argue about rent arrears or damages, those belong in different proceedings.

How to use this document

1. Read the claim pack carefully. When you receive the N5B claim form from the court, read every page along with any attached tenancy agreement, section 21 notice, and deposit scheme certificate. Check dates, names, and the address of the property. Knowing exactly what the landlord is relying on is the foundation for everything you write on the N11B. 2. Fill in your details and the property information. Enter your full name, current address, the landlord's name and address, and the address of the property the claim relates to. Make sure these match the claim form. Even small discrepancies, like a missing flat number, can cause confusion, so copy the details across accurately. 3. Respond to the landlord's statements point by point. The form asks you to confirm or dispute specific statements from the claim, for example whether the tenancy was an assured shorthold, whether a section 21 notice was served, and whether any deposit was protected. Be honest and precise. If something is wrong or you do not know, say so rather than guessing. 4. Raise any procedural or legal issues. Use the form to flag concerns such as late or invalid service of the section 21 notice, a deposit that was not protected within the required timeframe, missing prescribed information, or a failure to provide an energy performance certificate or gas safety record where required. These points can be decisive in accelerated cases. 5. Explain personal circumstances and sign. If you would struggle to leave quickly, set out why (health issues, dependent children, difficulty finding alternative housing). The judge can consider postponing possession for up to six weeks in cases of exceptional hardship. Sign and date the form, then return it to the court within 14 days of service.

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