Section 8 refers to a notice under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. This notice seeking possession of an assured or assured shorthold tenancy can be served on the tenant at any time during a fixed term or periodic tenancy. This is a breach of contract notice which must use one of 17 reasons (grounds) for possession set out in the Act. Some of these grounds give a mandatory possession order (e.g: 2 months in rent arrears) and some are discretionary – i.e, the judge decides whether a possession order is issued or not.