After your N244: no reply, refused, paused or still at risk
This guide covers England and Wales
Is your eviction date close?
Contact the court and a housing adviser now. Have your order, your notice of eviction and any letters from the court with you.
Housing charity with a free helpline for people at risk of losing their home.
Call free: 0808 800 4444 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: England
Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service
Free legal advice if your lender or landlord has taken you to court to take your home, including help on the day of your hearing. It is legal aid, so you do not pay.
Covers: England and Wales
Find a court or tribunal (GOV.UK)
Find the address and contact details of the court dealing with your case.
Covers: England and Wales
The short answer
Sending an N244 does not stop an eviction by itself. Until the court tells you its decision, treat the eviction date as going ahead and keep in touch with the court and an adviser.
Whatever happens, take your order, dates and papers to a free adviser. And if you might lose your home, ask your council for help early. You do not have to wait for the court’s decision.
Editorial responsibility: IVAs & Bankruptcy — how we check and correct information.
The court has not replied
Do not assume the eviction is paused. Contact the court straight away. Tell them the date on your notice of eviction, when and how you sent your form, and ask:
- Have you received my application?
- Has a hearing been arranged, and when?
- What confirmation will I get about the eviction?
Talk to a housing adviser at the same time. They can help you contact the court and explain what to do if the date is very close.
Your request was refused
Read the order carefully and take it to an adviser as soon as you can, with your dates and papers. An adviser can tell you what the order means and whether there is anything else you can do. We cannot tell you whether a new application or an appeal is possible or likely to work.
If you may lose your home, contact your council now (see below).
The judge paused the eviction
A pause (a suspended warrant) may come with conditions, such as making payments. The exact words of the order are what count, so read it carefully and keep a copy.
If you cannot keep to the conditions, get advice before you miss a payment. A pause does not by itself sort out the money problem behind it. Free debt advice can help you look at your whole situation.
You may still lose your home
You are not alone, and there is still help. Keep talking to a housing adviser. Contact your council early, before the eviction date, and tell them what is happening.
Help from your council
In England: the official homelessness code says a person is “threatened with homelessness” if they are likely to become homeless within 56 days. Councils have duties to help people in that situation, depending on eligibility and circumstances. It does not mean you will be given a council home.
Homelessness help from your council (GOV.UK) and find your local council.
In Wales: the rules are different. Read the Welsh Government’s homelessness page or contact Citizens Advice Wales.
Practical help for the hearing
If there is a hearing, think about what you need to get there and take part:
- Travel to the court, and arriving at least 30 minutes early to meet the free adviser.
- Childcare or other caring arrangements.
- Communication support, such as an interpreter or help reading documents. Ask the court in advance.
- Your papers: the order, the notice of eviction, your N244 and anything you attached.
Check the arrangements with the court, because each court can be different.
What to do next
Contact a free housing adviser with your papers. The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is free, and it does not depend on your income.
Free, independent debt advice
These services are free. They will not judge you, and they can look at your whole situation.
Free debt advice charity. They can talk through all your options with you.
Call free: 0800 138 1111 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: UK
Free, confidential debt advice by phone and online.
Call free: 0808 808 4000 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: England, Wales and Scotland
Free advice on debt, housing, benefits and more. By phone, online or in person.
Call free: 0800 144 8848 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: England (this is the Adviceline number for England)
Free money guidance backed by government. It has a tool to find free debt advice near you.
Covers: UK
Related guides
- Where to send an N244Check court filing, payment and confirmation arrangements.
- Using form N244What it can and cannot do.
- Been given an eviction date?What to do today.
- Find free helpDebt and housing advice.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Legal aid for possession proceedings (Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service) (checked )
- GOV.UK: Home repossession, delaying an eviction (checked )
- GOV.UK: Home repossession, repossession orders (checked )
- GOV.UK: Homelessness code of guidance, chapter 6 (checked )
- GOV.UK: Homelessness help from your council (checked )
- Welsh Government: Homelessness (checked )