Possession order: how long do you have to leave?

A possession order sets a date you must leave by. Here is what each type of order means, how long you usually get, and your options if you cannot go in time.

Key facts

• Ministry of Justice figures show landlords made 22,733 possession claims in the county courts of England and Wales in January to March 2026, with 6,888 repossessions carried out by county court bailiffs. Mortgage and landlord possession statistics, GOV.UK
• In the same quarter there were 16,848 possession orders and 10,172 warrants, each down on the same period a year earlier. Mortgage and landlord possession statistics, GOV.UK

What is a possession order?

A possession order is a court order to give up your home. It only comes after the landlord goes through court. No landlord can just demand you leave, or change the locks.

The types carry different timescales.

Outright possession order

An outright, or absolute, order sets a fixed leave-by date. Landlords seek it when confident, with nothing pushing the court to suspend. You usually get 14 or 28 days, sometimes longer where you show strong reasons for more time.

Suspended possession order

A suspended order lets you stay, on conditions: usually current rent plus a set weekly or monthly amount off the arrears. Keep to them and you stay. Break them, and the landlord can seek a warrant without another full hearing.

Postponed possession order

A postponed order holds the possession date back until the landlord takes a further step, usually asking the court to set one. It suits cases where the leave date is uncertain.

Standard notice period in a possession order

Most orders give at least 14 days. But:

• Serious arrears may bring exactly 14
• Domestic abuse, antisocial behaviour or serious crime can bring immediate effect, or close to it
• Some cases bring a later date

The longer pandemic-era notice periods of 2020 to 2021 are gone; the standard rules apply again.

What if you cannot leave by the date in the order?

Cannot leave by the date? You have options:

Apply to suspend or stay the order

With real reasons for more time, an active housing search, children mid-exams, failing health, you can ask the court to suspend or stay the order. You explain your circumstances to the judge. Nothing is promised, but genuine reasons make it worth applying.

Apply to suspend a warrant of possession

Once the landlord applies for a warrant of possession, the step that sends bailiffs, you can apply to suspend the warrant. Move fast, ideally before the bailiff's visit, on Form N244.

Make a homeless application to the council

No new home in time? Apply to the council as homeless. A possession order can make you "threatened with homelessness", which triggers the council's duty to help.

What happens on the day bailiffs attend?

Bailiffs attend on the warrant's date. Leave before they arrive; those who stay get removed, with reasonable force if needed.

Only court-appointed bailiffs can evict. A landlord cannot turn up and remove you without a warrant.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. Where disrepair sits in the background of your situation, we may be able to help, and in some cases a disrepair defence matters in possession proceedings.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Section 89, Housing Act 1980 (postponement of possession orders) (legislation.gov.uk)
• Civil Procedure Rules, Part 55 (possession claims) (justice.gov.uk)