N244 help for a mortgage eviction

What N244 can do

When a lender has a possession order, it can ask the court for a warrant of possession. That lets enforcement officers (bailiffs) carry out the eviction.

You can use form N244 to ask a judge to suspend the warrant. GOV.UK says this can delay the eviction, or let you stay in your home if you can make payments again. There will be a hearing, and the judge decides.

What it cannot do

• It does not stop the eviction when you send it. Only the judge’s decision can do that.
• It does not mean the judge will agree. Nobody can promise that.
• It is not the right form for every problem with your home. The steps are different if you rent. They are also different if your home is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or if your case has not reached a warrant yet.
• It does not sort out the money problem behind the eviction. Free debt advice can help with that.

How to apply

GOV.UK says to:

1. Fill in form N244.
2. Send it to the court, or take it in person.
3. Tell the court you need a hearing at short notice, before your eviction date.

GOV.UK also says to get advice straight away. The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service gives free legal advice to people facing the loss of their home, including on the day of a hearing. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to meet the adviser, and check the arrangements with the court.

Courts have their own ways of accepting forms and fees. Ask the court what it accepts. Sending an email is not proof that your form has been filed.

The court fee

The fee to ask the court to suspend a warrant of possession is £16. Other uses of form N244 cost more, so check the fee for what you are asking. N244 fees explained.

Help with Fees can lower or cover the fee, depending on your income, savings and other things. Read about Help with Fees on GOV.UK.

Fill in the form with our free tool

Our N244 helper asks one question at a time, shows you where to find each detail on your papers, and lets you check every answer. Then it fills in the official GOV.UK form for you to download, print, check and sign.

Your answers stay on your device. We do not write your reasons or evidence for you: those are your own words.

Start the free N244 helper

You can also download the blank form from GOV.UK and fill it in by hand. GOV.UK also has a Welsh-language page for the form.

After you send it

Keep in touch with the court and your adviser until you know the result. If the court has not replied, your request is refused, or the eviction is paused with conditions, read what to do after your N244.