Enforcement Agents
Bailiffs (also called ‘enforcement agents’) visiting your home can be a stressful experience, but you have rights, and you shouldn’t be bullied. Bailiffs are only allowed to try to come into your home between 6 am and 9 pm.
It is important to seek advice from a Youth Legal Debt Adviser when enforcement agents are concerned.
Bailiffs (also called ‘enforcement agents’) visiting your home can be a stressful experience but you have rights and you shouldn’t be bullied. Bailiffs are only allowed to try to come into your home between 6 am and 9 pm.
You shouldn't let a bailiff into your home - it’s always best to try to sort out your debt by keeping them outside and speaking through the door or over the phone.
Make sure your doors are locked - bailiffs are allowed to come in through unlocked doors. If you have a porch with a lockable door you should lock this too.
Depending on the kind of debt you owe, the bailiff will sometimes have the right to force entry by asking a locksmith to open your door if you won’t let them in. It’s very unlikely they’ll do this - you should still have the chance to pay without them coming in.
Call 999 if you're being physically threatened by a bailiff - don't let them into your home. Do bare in mind, the police say that it is a private matter and they may end up taking sides of the bailiff.
If you need extra support:
Bailiffs must follow extra rules if they class you as ‘vulnerable’. You could be classed as vulnerable if you:
are disabled or seriously ill
have mental health problems
have children or are pregnant
are aged under 18 or over 65
don’t speak or read English well
are in a stressful situation like recent bereavement or unemployment
For more information, you can check here: LINK
Get proof of who they are:
The first thing to do when a bailiff arrives is to ask for proof of who they are and why they’re visiting.
If they say they're a 'debt collector' tell them to leave. They don't have the same powers as bailiffs and they have to go if you ask them to.
If they say they’re a bailiff or enforcement agent, ask them to show you a badge, ID card or ‘enforcement agent certificate’. All registered bailiffs have to carry proof of who they are.
They’ll also need to tell you which company they’re from and give you a telephone contact number for the head office.
Tell them to pass the documents through your letterbox or show you at a window. Their proof of identity will show their name and what kind of bailiff they are.
The bailiff could have the right to force entry to your home or business if they’re collecting:
unpaid magistrates' court fines, for example if you were given a fine for not paying your TV licence
tax debts for HM Revenue and Customs, for example, if you owe income tax
The bailiff could have the right to force entry to your home or business if they’re collecting:
unpaid magistrates court fines, for example if you were given a fine for not paying your TV licence
tax debts for HM Revenue and Customs, for example if you owe income tax
They’ll need to show you proof of what you owe and a 'warrant' or a document called a ‘writ’ from a court. Check any documents are signed and in date and have your correct name and address.
They aren't allowed to break down your door - they have to use 'reasonable force'. This means they'll have to come back with a locksmith who will unlock the door.
It’s very unlikely they’ll do this - you’ll usually still have time to make an offer to sort out the debt.
It’s best to refer internally to a debt adviser if the bailiffs say they’re getting a locksmith to force entry to your home.
If you let the bailiff into your home:
If you decide to let them in and you can’t afford to pay what you owe straight away you’ll normally have to make a 'controlled goods agreement'. This means you'll agree to a repayment plan and pay some bailiff fees.
Check how to make a controlled goods agreement with bailiffs.
If you don’t make an agreement the bailiffs could remove your things to sell and pay off your debt. Read more about what happens if bailiffs say they'll sell your belongings.
If the bailiff isn't allowed to force entry:
If the bailiff is collecting any other kind of debt they aren't allowed to force entry.
This includes if they're collecting:
council tax arrears
credit card or catalogue debts
unpaid parking tickets
money you owe to energy or phone companies
You have the right to keep them outside and talk through the closed door. Make sure everyone else in your home knows not to let them in.
Ask for a full breakdown of the debt they’re collecting and who the ‘creditor’ is - this is the person or company they say you owe money to. Tell them to pass any documents through the letter-box or under the door.
Check that any documents they give you are still in date and have your correct name and address.
If it’s someone else’s debt, say you’ll contact the bailiff’s head office to explain and tell them to leave. Check how to prove it’s not your debt.
If it’s your debt, tell the bailiff to leave and say you’ll speak to their head office to make arrangements to pay.
The bailiff might say you have to pay them on the doorstep or you have to let them in - you don’t. They aren’t allowed to force their way into your home and they can’t bring a locksmith to help them get in.
They’ll normally leave if you refuse to let them in - but they’ll be back if you don’t arrange to pay your debt. It's important to do this as quickly as you can, otherwise the bailiffs can add fees to your debt.
You can complain if the bailiff won't leave and you think they're harassing you.
If you’ve broken a ‘controlled goods agreement’
You might get a letter called a 'notice of intention to re-enter' if you've broken a 'controlled goods agreement'. This means the bailiff has the right to enter your home using 'reasonable force'. They'll have to use a locksmith to unlock your door - they aren't allowed to break it down.
There could still be time to renegotiate your controlled goods agreement and stop the bailiffs from visiting - you should act quickly.
Get help
If you need advice about your situation, we can help for free.
- Email: info@youthlegal.org.uk
- Phone: 020 3195 1906 (Mon to Fri, 10am to 6pm)
- Contact form: youthlegal.org.uk/contact-us
All our advice is free and confidential.