N379 Charging Order on Land or Property
Form N379 allows you to apply for a charging order on land or property. This puts a charge against the debtor's property, which is recorded at the Land Registry and prevents the property being sold until the court judgment has been paid.
N379 Application for Charging Order
About Charging Orders
Form N379 - Application for a charging order on land or property. This form puts a charge against a property. This will be recorded at the Land Registry and should prevent the property being sold until the court judgment has been paid.
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More details on how to fill in this form are provided in our enforcement guide.
View Enforcement Guide →How the Charging Order Process Works
The charging order process involves several stages from application to final registration:
Complete Form N379
Fill in the application with property and judgment details
Pay Court Fee
Submit the form with the required fee
Court Issues Interim Order
Court grants interim charging order
Final Order & Registration
Final order made and registered at Land Registry
Timeline
The process typically takes 3-6 months from application to final registration, including court hearings and Land Registry procedures.
What Property Can and Cannot Be Charged
Charging orders have specific rules about which types of property can be targeted:
Can Be Charged
- Residential properties (houses, flats)
- Commercial properties
- Land and building plots
- Freehold and leasehold interests
- Investment properties
- Properties held in sole or joint names
Cannot Be Charged
- Properties not owned by the debtor
- Properties already heavily mortgaged
- Social housing or council properties
- Properties held in trust for others
- Overseas properties (usually)
- Properties with disputed ownership
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Secures the debt against valuable asset
- Registered at Land Registry for protection
- Prevents sale without paying debt
- Can lead to order for sale if necessary
Disadvantages
- No immediate payment received
- Lengthy court process required
- May not succeed if property heavily mortgaged
- Debtor may challenge the application
When to Consider Alternatives
A charging order may not be suitable if:
- • The debtor doesn't own property
- • You need immediate payment
- • The property is heavily mortgaged
- • The debtor is employed (consider attachment of earnings)
- • The debtor has valuable goods (consider warrant of control)
Download Charging Order Form
The link below will take you to the official form on GOV.UK:
Form N379
Apply for a charging order on land
Official form for securing a debt against property owned by the debtor
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Quick Facts
Also Known As:
Property Charge
Timeline:
3-6 months typically
Registration:
HM Land Registry
Prerequisites
- ✓ Must have court judgment
- ✓ Debtor owns property
- ✓ Court fee required
Best For
- • Property owners
- • Securing large debts
- • Long-term recovery