diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go
index 234b56a..9a7dc91 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/integration_test.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/announce"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose/judge"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go
index 00df428..249cb72 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"log"
@@ -107,8 +108,33 @@ type buckets map[string]jetstream.KeyValue
 // without it and takes no put further until it starts again (ADR 0546).
 func open(ctx context.Context, js process.BucketOpener, logf func(string, ...any)) (buckets, error) {
 	out := buckets{}
+	// The controller's lease first (ADR 0549 §5, ADR 0561 §3): once it is handed away the catalogue's placement alone names
+	// where modules run, and the controller's assignments are no bucket the assigner needs. Not granted or not there, the
+	// controller holds it, as before.
+	away, why := false, ""
+	if kv, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, buscompose.LeaseBucket); err != nil {
+		logf("the bucket %s cannot be opened (%v): the controller is taken to hold its lease, so the assignments are read beside the placement", buscompose.LeaseBucket, err)
+	} else {
+		out[buscompose.LeaseBucket] = kv
+		e, gerr := kv.Get(ctx, buscompose.ControllerLeaseKey)
+		var raw []byte
+		if gerr == nil {
+			raw = e.Value()
+		}
+		if errors.Is(gerr, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+			gerr = nil
+		}
+		away, why = buscompose.LeaseHandedAway(raw, raw != nil, gerr)
+	}
 	for _, name := range append(append([]string{}, readBuckets...), ownBuckets...) {
+		if name == buscompose.LeaseBucket {
+			continue
+		}
 		kv, err := js.KeyValue(ctx, name)
+		if name == provider.AssignmentsBucket && err != nil && away {
+			logf("the bucket %s cannot be opened (%v), and none is needed: %s, so the catalogue's placement alone is read", name, err, why)
+			continue
+		}
 		if name == delivery.AssignerPutsBucket && err != nil {
 			logf("the bucket %s cannot be opened (%v): no put is taken further until the assigner starts again", name, err)
 			continue
@@ -297,7 +323,7 @@ func follow(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, nc process.Subscriber,
 	}
 	started := 0
 	for _, name := range watched {
-		if kvs[name] == nil && (slices.Contains(seatBuckets, name) || sourceOfGrants(name)) {
+		if kvs[name] == nil && (slices.Contains(seatBuckets, name) || sourceOfGrants(name) || name == provider.AssignmentsBucket) {
 			continue // not on the bus at this start (open said so)
 		}
 		started++
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main_test.go
index 6b1fc78..877c1c6 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/main_test.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provider"
 )
 
 // 1297/B2a: the buckets the program opens are exactly the manifest's reads and states, as the broker names them
@@ -63,23 +64,30 @@ func TestOpensWhatItsManifestNames(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	// ADR 0546: whatever keeps the puts' bucket from opening (not there, not granted, no answer in time), the assigner opens
 	// the rest and starts, writing wants; any other bucket it cannot open stops the start, named.
+	// Issue 774 (ADR 0549 §5): the controller's lease not granted, the assigner starts taking it as the controller's; the
+	// assignments refused while the controller holds it stop the start, and once it is handed away they are not needed.
+	handed := []byte(`{"handed-to":"the operator's hand-over","handed-by":"person.jochen"}`)
 	for _, c := range []struct {
 		missing string
 		err     error
 		starts  bool
+		lease   []byte
+		said    string
 	}{
-		{delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound, true},
-		{delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation for subscription to \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_puts\""), true},
-		{delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, context.DeadlineExceeded, true},
+		{delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound, true, nil, "no put is taken further"},
+		{delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation for subscription to \"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-delivery-assigner_puts\""), true, nil, "no put is taken further"},
+		{delivery.AssignerPutsBucket, context.DeadlineExceeded, true, nil, "no put is taken further"},
+		{delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation"), false, nil, ""},
 		// Issue 774: the grants part's grants and the controller's lease choose the grants' source; neither stops the start.
-		{delivery.PartGrantsBucket, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound, true},
-		{buscompose.LeaseBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation"), true},
-		{delivery.AssignerWantsBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation"), false},
+		{delivery.PartGrantsBucket, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound, true, nil, "the controller's grants are read"},
+		{buscompose.LeaseBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation"), true, nil, "taken to hold its lease"},
+		{provider.AssignmentsBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation"), false, []byte(`{"instance":"novox/1"}`), ""},
+		{provider.AssignmentsBucket, errors.New("nats: permissions violation"), true, handed, "the catalogue's placement alone is read"},
 	} {
 		var logged string
-		kvs, err := open(context.Background(), refusingJS{missing: c.missing, err: c.err}, func(f string, a ...any) { logged = fmt.Sprintf(f, a...) })
+		kvs, err := open(context.Background(), refusingJS{missing: c.missing, err: c.err, lease: c.lease}, func(f string, a ...any) { logged += fmt.Sprintf(f, a...) })
 		switch {
-		case c.starts && (err != nil || kvs[c.missing] != nil || len(kvs) != len(readBuckets)+len(ownBuckets)-1 || !strings.Contains(logged, "until the assigner starts again")):
+		case c.starts && (err != nil || kvs[c.missing] != nil || len(kvs) != len(readBuckets)+len(ownBuckets)-1 || !strings.Contains(logged, c.said)):
 			t.Errorf("%s refused with %v: the start answered %v, %d buckets, logged %q", c.missing, c.err, err, len(kvs), logged)
 		case !c.starts && (err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "grant of "+c.missing)): // 1945: named with its grant
 			t.Errorf("%s refused with %v: the start answered %v", c.missing, c.err, err)
@@ -118,13 +126,18 @@ type refusingJS struct {
 	jetstream.JetStream
 	missing string
 	err     error
+	lease   []byte // the controller's lease, when it holds one
 }
 
 func (r refusingJS) KeyValue(_ context.Context, name string) (jetstream.KeyValue, error) {
 	if name == r.missing {
 		return nil, r.err
 	}
-	return &memKV{values: map[string][]byte{}}, nil
+	kv := &memKV{values: map[string][]byte{}}
+	if name == buscompose.LeaseBucket && r.lease != nil {
+		kv.values[buscompose.ControllerLeaseKey] = r.lease
+	}
+	return kv, nil
 }
 
 // watchKV is a memKV whose watch hands its entries and then the marker that all stands was handed, or ends at once when
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
index e584c94..a133712 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/provider"
@@ -873,6 +874,24 @@ func aPairOneSourceNamesAloneGetsNoWantAndOneCondition(t *testing.T) {
 	if m.Input == nil || len(m.Input.Nodes) != 1 || !slices.Equal(m.Input.Nodes[0].Assigned, []string{"a", "b", "c"}) || m.Input.Nodes[0].Place.Key != "k" {
 		t.Errorf("the check's input from the bus: %+v (%q)", m.Input, m.InputUnread)
 	}
+
+	// Issue 774 (ADR 0549 §5, §6): once the controller's lease is handed away the placement alone names where modules
+	// run: a pair in the placement only gets its want and no condition, and one in the assignments only is no module of
+	// the node. A lease that goes back to a controller brings the comparison back.
+	place("n2", "d")
+	assigned("g14", "e")
+	p.w.put(buscompose.LeaseBucket, buscompose.ControllerLeaseKey, []byte(`{"handed-to":"the operator's hand-over","handed-by":"person.jochen"}`))
+	got, all := p.w.assigned()
+	if !slices.Equal(got["n2"], []string{"d"}) || !slices.Equal(got["g14"], []string{"a", "b", "c"}) || len(all) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("handed away: assigned %v, assignments %v; want the placement alone", got, all)
+	}
+	if frozen := p.sayPlacement(p.w.placementDiffers()); len(frozen) != 0 || len(said) != 4 {
+		t.Errorf("handed away: frozen %v, said %+v; want no condition", frozen, said[4:])
+	}
+	p.w.put(buscompose.LeaseBucket, buscompose.ControllerLeaseKey, []byte(`{"instance":"novox/1","epoch":58}`))
+	if frozen := p.sayPlacement(p.w.placementDiffers()); !frozen["n2.d"] || !frozen["g14.e"] {
+		t.Errorf("a controller's lease again: frozen %v; want both pairs held", frozen)
+	}
 }
 
 // 1126 (ADR 0547 §2 to §4): a node the catalogue places composes its own: its wants name the build alone and its own want
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go
index aead90b..258e526 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/world.go
@@ -195,21 +195,38 @@ func (w *world) manifest(ctx context.Context, get getter, digest string) parsed
 
 // assigned is each node's modules both the controller's assignments and the seat mesh-placement's placement name, in name order
 // (ADR 0549 §5; the assignments alone before any placement was read), with every open assignment by node and module.
+// Once the controller's lease is handed away it is the seat's placement alone, with no assignment (ADR 0549 §5, §6).
 func (w *world) assigned() (map[string][]string, map[string]assignment) {
-	byAssignment, all := w.assignedByController()
+	// A lease handed away before any placement was read keeps the assignments as they last stood, never an empty mesh:
+	// the lease write's own check refuses that order (ADR 0547 §11).
 	placed, seeded := w.placed()
-	both, _ := assign.Placed(byAssignment, placed, seeded)
+	byAssignment, all := w.assignedByController()
+	if away := w.handedAway(); away && seeded {
+		both, _ := assign.Placed(byAssignment, placed, seeded, away)
+		return both, map[string]assignment{}
+	}
+	both, _ := assign.Placed(byAssignment, placed, seeded, false)
 	return both, all
 }
 
-// placementDiffers is every pair the controller's assignments and the seat's placement do not both name.
+// placementDiffers is every pair the controller's assignments and the seat's placement do not both name: none once
+// the controller's lease is handed away, since the placement is then the one source.
 func (w *world) placementDiffers() []assign.Pair {
-	byAssignment, _ := w.assignedByController()
 	placed, seeded := w.placed()
-	_, differ := assign.Placed(byAssignment, placed, seeded)
+	byAssignment, _ := w.assignedByController()
+	_, differ := assign.Placed(byAssignment, placed, seeded, w.handedAway())
 	return differ
 }
 
+// handedAway says the controller's lease is handed to a holder that is no controller (mesh-sdk buscompose.LeaseHandedAway,
+// ADR 0561 §3): from then the seat mesh-placement's placement alone names where modules run (ADR 0549 §5). A lease not read (its
+// bucket not granted or not there), a controller's, expired or unreadable, is not handed away.
+func (w *world) handedAway() bool {
+	raw, found := w.read(buscompose.LeaseBucket)[buscompose.ControllerLeaseKey]
+	away, _ := buscompose.LeaseHandedAway(raw, found && raw != nil, nil)
+	return away
+}
+
 // placed is each node's modules in the seat's placement (ADR 0567 §1), and whether any placement key was read: a key
 // that does not read places nothing on its node and is said by the indexer's own read tool.
 func (w *world) placed() (map[string][]string, bool) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/placement.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/placement.go
index 9f31c35..131512d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/placement.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/placement.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package assign
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -15,7 +16,8 @@ import (
 // removed on one source's word, and it raises a condition naming the pair until both agree. After an approved proposal
 // the assigner keeps the controller in step itself, calling its assign, unassign, pin and unpin; a call refused or not
 // yet answered leaves the pair differing, and the condition names the call (Pair.Call). Before the first placement key
-// is written the controller's assignments are the one source, as before.
+// is written the controller's assignments are the one source, as before. From the lease write (the controller's lease
+// handed away) the placement is the one source.
 
 // Pair is a module on a node that one source names and the other does not; Only says which: OnlyAssignments or
 // OnlyPlacement.
@@ -32,8 +34,17 @@ const (
 )
 
 // Placed is, by node, the modules both sources name, in name order, and every pair one names alone, by node then
-// module. With no placement read yet (seeded false) it is the assignments, and no pair differs.
-func Placed(assigned, placed map[string][]string, seeded bool) (map[string][]string, []Pair) {
+// module. With no placement read yet (seeded false) it is the assignments, and no pair differs. Once the controller's
+// lease is handed away (handedAway, ADR 0549 §5, §6) it is the placement alone, in name order, and no pair differs: the
+// assignments are then a source of nothing.
+func Placed(assigned, placed map[string][]string, seeded, handedAway bool) (map[string][]string, []Pair) {
+	if handedAway && seeded {
+		out := make(map[string][]string, len(placed))
+		for node, modules := range placed {
+			out[node] = slices.Sorted(slices.Values(modules))
+		}
+		return out, nil
+	}
 	if !seeded {
 		return assigned, nil
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go
index 1803f4b..5f311bf 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/manifest_test.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func TestManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	reads := slices.Clone(m.Reads)
 	slices.Sort(reads)
-	want := []string{"mesh-build-go.steps", "mesh-config.resolved", "mesh-controller.assignments", "mesh-controller.builds", "mesh-controller.composed", "mesh-controller.grants",
+	want := []string{"mesh-build-go.steps", "mesh-config.resolved", "mesh-controller.assignments", "mesh-controller.builds", "mesh-controller.composed", "mesh-controller.grants", "mesh-controller.lease",
 		"mesh-delivery-builder.builds", "mesh-delivery-indexer.candidates", "mesh-delivery-indexer.manifests",
 		"mesh-delivery-indexer.modules", "mesh-delivery-teller.answers", "mesh-delivery-watchman.presence", "node-engine.have"}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(reads, want) {