Changing a possession order
Changes to a suspended order
A suspended order lets you stay in your home if you keep to the terms of the order.
You could ask the court to change the order if you think you might break the terms.
For example, if you cannot pay off rent arrears because your income goes down.
You could ask to:
pay a lower amount towards the arrears
change the date you need to make payments
Find out what to write on the court form.
Example: Making a possession order easier to keep to
Jax has a suspended possession order. It says he has to pay his rent + £50 a month towards his rent arrears.
Jax loses his job and cannot afford the repayments.
He applies for universal credit (UC). This covers his rent but he can only afford £20 a month towards the arrears.
He wants to pay his rent and arrears on the date he gets his monthly UC payment.
Jax could ask the court to change the order so he pays less each month. This makes it easier for him to keep to while he is not working.
If you have other debts
A regulated debt adviser can talk to you about options for sorting out debts. For example, debt relief orders (DROs) or breathing space.
If you decide to apply for a DRO, show your possession order to your debt adviser. You might need to get it changed if it says you have to pay more than £75 a month towards your arrears.
Find out where to get debt advice.
Last updated: 16 September 2024
