Guides › Public Services › Eviction Court Hearing: What Happens and How to Prepare
Eviction Court Hearing: What Happens and How to Prepare
If your landlord goes to court you will get papers including a defence form, which you must return within 14 days. Go to the hearing: if you do not, it is very likely the judge will decide you lose your home. You can get free legal advice and representation on the day through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. The judge may make an outright or suspended possession order, and you may be able to delay leaving by up to 6 weeks in exceptional hardship.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
At Court
Defence Form
You will be sent court papers including a defence form, which you must return to the court within 14 days. If you do not attend, it is very likely the judge will decide you will lose your home. source
Orders
The judge could make a possession order, a money order, adjourn or dismiss the case. An outright order means you must leave by the date given. A suspended order means you can stay if you make the payments and keep to the conditions. source
Help on the Day
If you have not had advice before, you can get free legal advice and representation in court on the day through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. source
After the Hearing
Leaving Date and Bailiffs
You may be able to delay the date you have to leave by up to 6 weeks if you show exceptional hardship. If you do not leave by the date, the landlord can apply for a warrant for possession, and you will be sent an eviction notice with the date you must leave. Appeals cost £175 unless you get help with fees. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 14 daysReturn the defence formFrom receiving court papers
- 6 weeksMaximum delay to leaveExceptional hardship
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Read the court papers straight away.
Step 2 of 5
Return the defence form within 14 days.
Step 3 of 5
Get advice from Shelter, Citizens Advice or your council.
Step 4 of 5
Go to the hearing and ask for the duty adviser.
Step 5 of 5
Contact the council's homelessness team as soon as you get papers.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Help from Your Council (GOV.UK)
Enter your postcode to reach your council's homelessness team.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Never ignore court papers.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/private-renting-evictions/eviction-court-hearings Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/homelessness-help-from-council Checked 8 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026