Rent due after possession order?

Possession - Section 8 and Section 21

Hello,

We successfully served a section 21 eviction notice, and following a very accelerated process at the court, were granted a possession order that expired on 2/4/24. The court had refused the tenant's request for an extra 6 weeks, as he did not attend the hearing that was granted after the possession order had been issued.

The tenant has stayed in the property as they have nowhere to go, and is aware that the next step is that we apply for the bailiffs to evict him. We are aware that that could take some time.

My question is, is the tenant still liable to pay rent after the possession order date? If so, and he does not, what can we do to recoup it? If he does pay (which seems likely given he's a decent chap and has practically asked us to evict him so that he can get help from the council), are we ok to accept it?

Many thanks as usual for any advice.