Your tenant won't leave despite the court order? A warrant of possession authorizes bailiffs to physically remove them.
You can only apply for a warrant of possession after the court has granted a possession order and the tenant has failed to leave by the date specified in that order. See our possession claim guide for the previous step.
Choose between county court bailiffs (cheaper) or High Court enforcement (faster).
Standard route through the county court that issued your possession order. Lower cost but longer waiting times.
Best for: Standard evictions where time isn't critical
Transfer your case to High Court for faster enforcement by High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs).
Best for: Urgent situations or problem tenants
Steps to request bailiff enforcement through the county court.
Your possession order specifies a date by which the tenant must leave (typically 14-42 days from the order). You cannot apply for a warrant until after this date.
Fill in Form N325 (Request for Warrant of Possession of Land) with the case number, property address, and your details. It's straightforward if you have your possession order.
You can download the official court forms used to request a warrant of possession below. These are free, government-issued forms required to instruct county court bailiffs or apply for enforcement.
These are official court forms. You must already have a possession order before applying for a warrant. Completing the form incorrectly may delay enforcement.
Submit Form N325 to the county court that issued your possession order. Pay the £130 fee. You can do this online, by post, or in person.
The court will issue the warrant and schedule a bailiff appointment. You'll receive a letter with the date (typically 4-6 weeks from application). The tenant also receives notice.
Attend the property on the scheduled date. Bailiffs will remove the tenant and hand over possession. Have a locksmith ready to change locks immediately.
Our Complete Pack includes guides for warrant applications plus all earlier documents (notices, possession claim forms, witness statements).
Be prepared for when the bailiffs arrive.
A warrant of possession is a court order authorizing bailiffs to physically remove tenants from a property. You can only apply for one after the court has granted a possession order and the tenant has failed to leave by the specified date.
Complete Form N325 (Request for Warrant of Possession of Land) and submit it to the same county court that issued your possession order. Pay the fee (£130) and wait for a bailiff appointment date, typically 4-6 weeks.
County court bailiff warrant (Form N325) costs £130. If you transfer to High Court for faster enforcement, the writ fee is £66 plus enforcement officer fees (typically £300-600+ depending on complexity).
County court bailiffs typically have a 4-6 week waiting list. High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) are often faster, sometimes within 1-2 weeks, but cost more and require transferring the case to High Court.
Bailiffs arrive at the property (usually between 9am-4pm), request the tenant leave, and if they refuse, physically remove them. You can attend to secure the property immediately after. Bailiffs can use reasonable force if necessary.
Tenants can apply to the court to suspend the warrant on grounds of exceptional hardship, but this is rarely successful if a valid possession order exists. They must apply before the eviction date.
Bring: a locksmith (arranged in advance), ID to prove you're the landlord, the possession order, and contact details for the bailiff. Consider having a cleaner and photographer booked for immediately after.
You must store belongings left behind for a reasonable period (typically 14-28 days) and make reasonable attempts to contact the tenant. You can charge reasonable storage costs. After this period, you can dispose of items.
Our Complete Pack includes everything for court: notices, forms, evidence checklists, and instructions.
Complete Eviction Pack covers every stage from notice to possession. Court-ready format with step-by-step guidance.
All Court Forms Included • Witness Statements • Step-by-Step Guide
For general information only. This page provides educational content about UK landlord law and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified solicitor.