Section 85: Extended discretion of court in certain proceedings for possession.

Housing Act 1985 · 1985 c. 68View on legislation.gov.uk

Part IV: SECURE TENANCIES AND RIGHTS OF SECURE TENANTS

Where proceedings are brought for possession of a dwelling-house let under a secure tenancy on any of the grounds set out in Part I or Part III of Schedule 2 (grounds 1 to 8 and 12 to 16: cases in which the court must be satisfied that it is reasonable to make a possession order), the court may adjourn the proceedings for such period or periods as it thinks fit.

On such an adjournment, stay, suspension or postponement the court—

shall impose conditions with respect to the payment by the tenant of arrears of rent (if any) and rent . . . unless it considers that to do so would cause exceptional hardship to the tenant or would otherwise be unreasonable, and
may impose such other conditions as it thinks fit.

The court may discharge or rescind the order for possession if it thinks it appropriate to do so having had regard to—

any conditions imposed under subsection (3), and
the conduct of the tenant in connection with those conditions.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.