How can I stop repossession of my house?

Talk to your lender immediately, since it must follow FCA rules to explore alternatives before court action. Options include a payment arrangement, term extension, benefit checks, defending or adjourning the court hearing, or selling before a hearing takes place. Free debt advice can help you work out which fits your situation.

Can I stop repossession after a court order has been made?

It's harder but not always impossible. If the order is suspended, keeping to its conditions prevents further action. If it's outright, you can apply to the court using form N244 to ask for a delay, or sell the property before the eviction date if your lender agrees to pause enforcement.

What is form N244 used for?

It's the court application form used to ask a judge for a change to an order, such as suspending or delaying it, or to have a hearing adjourned to allow more time to arrange payment or a sale. There's a court fee, though it can be reduced or waived in some circumstances.

Will Support for Mortgage Interest stop repossession?

It can help by covering some interest payments if you're on qualifying benefits, but it's a loan secured against your home and won't clear existing arrears on its own. It's worth checking eligibility alongside other options rather than relying on it alone.

Is selling the house before the hearing a good way to stop repossession?

It can be, if you have enough time. A sale that completes before the court hearing means there's no mortgage left to repossess. This needs to move quickly, so speak to your lender and a solicitor as soon as you know a hearing date is set.

How to stop house repossession

Name: The Quick House Buyers — London
Address: Level 6, Design Centre East, Chelsea Harbour, London, England, SW10 0XF, GB
Telephone: 020 3744 0249

Written and reviewed by Kris McClory, Head of PurchasesLast reviewed 6 August 2026

Start by contacting your lender, which must consider alternatives to court action under FCA rules. From there, realistic options include a payment arrangement, a benefits check, defending or adjourning the hearing, or selling before a hearing or before eviction. Free advice from StepChange, Citizens Advice, National Debtline, MoneyHelper, or Shelter can help you choose.

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What should you do first?

Contact your lender as soon as you know you'll miss a payment, or as soon as you've missed one. Under the FCA's mortgage conduct rules, lenders must treat customers in arrears fairly and explore ways to help before starting court action. Ignoring letters and calls makes court action more likely, not less, because it looks to the lender like you aren't engaging.

Can a payment arrangement or term extension help?

Often, yes. Lenders can agree to a temporary reduced payment, spread the arrears over the remaining term, extend the mortgage term to lower monthly payments, or switch part of the loan to interest-only for a period. None of these clear the debt, but they can bring the account back under control if your income has recovered or is expected to.

Should you check benefits and Support for Mortgage Interest?

If you receive certain income-related benefits, you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest, a government loan that goes towards interest payments. It's repaid, with interest, when you sell or transfer the property, so it doesn't clear arrears but can help stop them growing. A benefits check with Citizens Advice or MoneyHelper can also flag other support you're entitled to.

Can you defend or adjourn the court hearing?

If a lender starts a possession claim, you'll receive a claim form with a hearing date. You can attend and explain your circumstances to the judge, who can dismiss the claim, adjourn it to allow more time, or grant a suspended order tied to conditions, such as an agreed repayment plan. Form N244 is used to formally apply for a hearing to be adjourned or an order changed. There's usually a fee, though help with fees is available if you're on a low income. Getting advice from a solicitor or a free debt charity before the hearing improves your chances of a workable outcome.

Can you sell before the hearing?

Yes, and it can be one of the most effective ways to avoid a repossession being recorded against you. If a sale completes before the hearing date, or even before the claim is issued, there's no mortgage left to repossess. A cash sale can complete faster than an open-market one, which matters if the hearing date is close. Tell your lender you're selling, since they may pause action while a genuine sale is progressing.

Can you sell after a possession order?

In some cases, yes, right up until the eviction date, though this is tight on time. If the order is suspended, meeting its conditions is usually the safer route. If it's outright, speak to your lender immediately about a short pause to allow a sale to complete, and instruct a solicitor straight away, since delays in conveyancing at this stage can mean the eviction happens first.

Where to get free, independent help

StepChange, Citizens Advice, National Debtline, MoneyHelper, and Shelter all offer free advice on arrears and repossession, and can help you work out whether a payment plan, benefits, or a sale makes most sense for your situation. None of the options above guarantee an outcome, and a fast sale is one route among several, not a way to make the debt disappear.

Common questions

How can I stop repossession of my house?: Talk to your lender immediately, since it must follow FCA rules to explore alternatives before court action. Options include a payment arrangement, term extension, benefit checks, defending or adjourning the court hearing, or selling before a hearing takes place. Free debt advice can help you work out which fits your situation.
Can I stop repossession after a court order has been made?: It's harder but not always impossible. If the order is suspended, keeping to its conditions prevents further action. If it's outright, you can apply to the court using form N244 to ask for a delay, or sell the property before the eviction date if your lender agrees to pause enforcement.
What is form N244 used for?: It's the court application form used to ask a judge for a change to an order, such as suspending or delaying it, or to have a hearing adjourned to allow more time to arrange payment or a sale. There's a court fee, though it can be reduced or waived in some circumstances.
Will Support for Mortgage Interest stop repossession?: It can help by covering some interest payments if you're on qualifying benefits, but it's a loan secured against your home and won't clear existing arrears on its own. It's worth checking eligibility alongside other options rather than relying on it alone.
Is selling the house before the hearing a good way to stop repossession?: It can be, if you have enough time. A sale that completes before the court hearing means there's no mortgage left to repossess. This needs to move quickly, so speak to your lender and a solicitor as soon as you know a hearing date is set.