Form N325 is the request for a warrant of possession of land — the form by which a successful claimant asks the County Court to instruct bailiffs to enforce a possession order against a tenant who has not vacated voluntarily. A possession order alone does not remove a tenant. Where the tenant does not comply with the date in the order, Form N325 is the enforcement mechanism. Court fee £148 (since 8 April 2025). Bailiff waiting times vary substantially — in London and parts of the South-East, waits of 6-12 months are not unusual; transfer to High Court for HCEO enforcement is faster but more expensive (~£900-£2,000 total). This page covers when Form N325 can be used, section-by-section completion, what to file with it, what happens at the eviction, transfer to High Court, suspended orders (Form N325A), and common errors.
What Form N325 is
Form N325 is the request for a warrant of possession of land. It is the form by which a successful claimant in possession proceedings asks the County Court to instruct bailiffs to enforce the possession order against a tenant who has not vacated voluntarily. The warrant authorises County Court bailiffs to attend the property at an appointed date and physically recover possession.
A possession order alone does not remove a tenant. The order requires the tenant to vacate by a specified date — typically 14 days from the order, sometimes extended to 6 weeks where exceptional hardship is established under section 89 of the Housing Act 1980. Where the tenant complies, no further action is needed. Where the tenant does not comply, the landlord must enforce — and Form N325 is the enforcement mechanism.
Bailiff waiting times vary substantially. In some areas (notably London and parts of the South-East), waits of 6-12 months from warrant request to bailiff appointment are not unusual. The variation has driven some landlords to seek transfer of enforcement to the High Court (using High Court Enforcement Officers), which is faster but more expensive.
The current edition of Form N325 is at gov.uk. Court fee: £148 (since 8 April 2025).
When Form N325 can be used
Form N325 is used where a possession order has been made by the County Court, the date for possession in the order has passed, the tenant has not vacated, the order has not been suspended, and the order is less than 6 years old.
Form N325 is NOT used before the date for possession has passed; where the order was suspended on terms (use Form N325A); where the order is more than 6 years old (use Form N293A first); or for mortgage possession.
Section-by-section completion
Court details and case identification
Court name, claim number, names of claimant and defendant. Must match the original possession order exactly.
Claimant address
Section 1: name and address of the claimant.
Address for warrant return
Section 2: usually “as above”.
Defendant details
Section 3: full names of all defendants and the property address. Names must match the original order.
Warrant details (money element)
Section 4: where the original possession order included a money judgment, this section can be used to enforce the money element together with possession. For pure possession warrants, this section is typically marked “N/A” or struck through.
In practice, money enforcement against a tenant being evicted is often unproductive — the tenant typically has no goods of value beyond personal effects (which are exempt from execution).
Property details
Section 5: date of the possession order, date possession was due to be given up under the order, description of the property.
Statement of truth
Signed by the claimant or representative.
What to file with Form N325
- Court fee. £148, payable by cheque to “HM Courts and Tribunals Service”.
- Bailiff risk assessment (Form EX97A). A separate form providing information for bailiff safety — known security issues, presence of dogs, vulnerable occupiers.
- Covering letter. Useful — confirms the request, references the original case.
How to file Form N325
Form N325 must be filed at the County Court that made the original possession order. Filing routes: postal (the standard route), in-person (some courts), email (some courts now accept).
What happens after filing
Once Form N325 is filed:
- The court issues the warrant — typically within 1-2 weeks.
- The warrant is sent to the County Court bailiffs serving the area.
- The bailiffs schedule an appointment to attend the property — waiting times become significant here.
- The bailiffs notify the tenant of the appointment date (typically by letter posted to the property at least 14 days before).
- On the appointment date, the bailiffs attend (typically with the landlord or agent present) and recover possession.
What happens at the eviction
On the day of the bailiff appointment:
- Bailiffs attend at the appointed time (usually morning).
- The landlord (or representative) attends with a locksmith engaged in advance.
- Bailiffs identify themselves to any occupiers and require them to leave.
- Where occupiers refuse, bailiffs may use reasonable force.
- Once the property is vacant, bailiffs hand the property back to the landlord. The locksmith changes the locks immediately.
- The tenant’s belongings remaining in the property are dealt with under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 framework — see our abandonment guide.
Bailiff fees are included in the £148 court fee. The locksmith is the landlord’s separate cost (typically £80-£200).
Transfer to High Court for enforcement
Where County Court bailiff waiting times are unacceptably long, a landlord can apply to transfer enforcement to the High Court. High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) operate commercially, attend within days rather than months, but cost substantially more.
The transfer is sought on Form N244 (general application notice), accompanied by a witness statement explaining why transfer is justified — bailiff waits in the area, financial impact of delay, ongoing nuisance, etc.
Court fee for the application: £313 (or £119 without notice). HCEO fees: typically £600-£1,500. Total cost: typically £900-£2,000.
Many landlords apply for transfer at the original possession hearing — judges can grant permission to transfer at that stage, avoiding the need for a separate application.
Suspended possession orders and Form N325A
Some possession orders are made on suspended terms — the tenant is given the chance to comply with conditions (typically paying arrears in instalments alongside ongoing rent). Where the tenant has breached a suspended order, Form N325A is required (not Form N325). The form references the suspended order and the breaches.
Common errors
1. Filing too early. Form N325 cannot be filed until the date for possession has passed.
2. Wrong form. Using Form N325 for a suspended order (where N325A is required) leads to rejection.
3. Missing risk assessment. The bailiff risk assessment (EX97A) is increasingly enforced.
4. Wrong court. Form N325 must go to the same court that made the possession order.
Authoritative sources
- Form N325 (gov.uk).
- Form N325A (gov.uk).
- Our court forms hub.
- Our eviction procedure guide.
- Our abandonment guide (Torts Act framework for left belongings).