How to enforce a CCJ against a former tenant
A county court judgment (CCJ) orders the tenant to pay, but the court doesn't collect it for you. If they don't pay, you choose an enforcement method and pay a further fee.
Information, not legal advice. We don't collect debts. If we introduce you to a solicitor or High Court enforcement firm we may receive a referral fee and will tell you first (how we make money).
Enforcement methods and fees
| Method | Form | Court fee | How it works | Used in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order to obtain information | N316 | £69 | The debtor must attend court and answer questions about income, assets and debts. Useful before choosing a method. | 6,960 |
| Warrant of control (county court bailiffs) | N323 | £96 | Bailiffs ask for payment within 7 days, then can visit to take goods to sell. County court for debts up to £5,000. | 134,222 |
| Writ of control (High Court) | N293A | £82 | High Court enforcement officers, for judgments of £600 or more. They also charge their own fees. | — |
| Attachment of earnings order | N337 | £139 | The employer deducts from wages. Only works if the debtor is employed. | 7,770 |
| Third-party debt order | N349 | £139 | Freezes money in the debtor’s bank or building society account, which can then be paid to you. | 823 |
| Charging order | N379 | £139 | Secures the debt against property the debtor owns; you are paid when it is sold (or you apply for an order for sale). | 23,106 |
Fees: EX50 from 13 July 2026 (writ row: fee to seal the writ). Usage: MoJ Civil Justice Statistics, England and Wales, all creditors (1,118,041 default judgments in 2025). In the four quarters to June 2026 there were 198,132 warrants of control and 7,209 attachment of earnings orders.
Choosing a method
- Don't know their finances? Start with an order to obtain information.
- Employed? Attachment of earnings.
- Money in the bank? Third-party debt order.
- Owns property? Charging order.
- Goods of value, debt £600+? High Court writ of control; up to £5,000 you can instead use county court bailiffs.
If you claimed online and your claim reference contains "MC", GOV.UK tells you to use N323 (county court) or N293A (High Court) for bailiffs.
The CCJ register
A CCJ stays on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for 6 years. If the debtor pays in full within one month, it can be removed; if they pay later it is marked "satisfied". Many landlords see this record as the main practical effect when a tenant has no means.
Common questions
Does a CCJ mean bailiffs will come?
Not automatically. The creditor has to apply for a warrant or writ of control after the debtor fails to pay as ordered.
How long after a CCJ do bailiffs come?
Only after the creditor applies for enforcement. Once a county court warrant is issued, the bailiff first asks for payment within 7 days.
Do county court judgments expire?
A CCJ stays on the Register of Judgments for 6 years (removed if paid in full within one month). Enforcing a judgment more than 6 years old generally needs the court’s permission.
Is a small claims court judgment a CCJ?
Yes. A money judgment from the county court, including after a small claims hearing or in default, is a county court judgment.
How can I check if someone has a CCJ?
Search the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines through Registry Trust’s TrustOnline service (a small fee applies).
Related guides
Start here.Money Claim Online →
Getting the judgment.Possession bailiffs →
Different from money enforcement.Small claims court →
Waits by court.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Enforce a judgment
- GOV.UK: County court judgments and your credit rating
- GOV.UK: Civil court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
- Registry Trust: search the Register of Judgments (TrustOnline)
- MoJ: Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026
Last checked 28 Sep 2026. Figures and fees change; check the official source before you act.