Form N244 and guidance notes are on GOV.UK.

You can also get a paper form from your local court.

You can either:

• complete it online and print it out

• fill in a paper form at the court

The N244 form is called an 'application notice'.

What to write if you have rent arrears

Put the name of the court and the claim number in the top box in the right hand corner. These are on your letters from the court.

Your landlord is the claimant. You are the defendant.

Write today's date in the date box.

• Question 1 - Write your full name

• Question 2 - Tick defendant

• Question 3 if you want to change a suspended order - Write 'I ask the court to vary the suspended possession order made on [date order made]. I can meet my contractual rent payments and can offer £xx each [week or month] towards the arrears.'

• Question 3 if you want to suspend an outright order - Write 'I ask the court to vary the outright possession order made on [date order made] to a suspended order. I can meet my contractual rent payments and can offer £xx each [week or month] towards the arrears.'

• Question 4 - Tick 'no'

• Question 5 - Tick at a hearing

• Question 6 - Write 0 hours 10 minutes and tick 'no'

• Question 7 - Leave blank

• Question 8 - Write district judge

• Question 9 - Write claimant

• Question 9a - Leave blank

• Question 10 - Tick evidence set out in the box below

• Question 11 - Tick 'yes' if you are vulnerable and write why in the box. For example, if you are disabled or have mental health problems. Tick 'no' if you are not vulnerable.

Page 4 - Sign and date the statement of truth.

Page 5 - Fill in your address, phone number and email.

The question 10 evidence box

The judge needs a reason to change the terms of your possession order.

Question 10 is where you explain why the judge should do this.

If you have rent arrears explain:

• why you missed payments  

• what you've done to sort this out 

• how you can pay your rent now

• your repayment plan for the arrears

Keep it short. Only write facts and things that are true.

Proof that you can keep to a repayment plan

You should send a recent financial statement in with the form if you have had debt advice. A financial statement sets out all your income, spending and debts.

You could use Money Helper's online budget planner to set out your income and spending. You can print it out and return it with the N244.

Always go to the hearing

A judge decides if the order should be suspended on the terms you put on the N244.

If the order is suspended, you can stay in your home as long as you keep to the terms.

If you break the terms of the order, your landlord can ask bailiffs to evict you.