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When bailiffs may be used

A bailiff may visit your home if you don’t pay your debts - like a Council Tax bill, parking fine, court fine or county court judgment.

This will happen if you ignore reminder and warning letters.

You can offer to pay some of the money you owe to stop bailiffs visiting.

Dealing with bailiffs on your doorstep

You don’t have to open your front door to a bailiff or let them in.

Bailiffs can usually only come into your home if you:

• leave a door or window open
• invite them in

They are not normally allowed to force their way in by pushing past you, or putting their foot in the door.

If they try this, you can call the police.

Bailiffs are allowed to force their way into your home to collect unpaid criminal fines, Income Tax or VAT, but only as a last resort.

What to ask a bailiff

Before you pay a bailiff, or let them in, ask to see proof of their identity - like a copy of their bailiff certificate.

Also ask for one of the following:

• a copy of the court order saying you owe the money
• a copy of their ‘authorisation’ (permission) to take your things

Paying a bailiff

You may want to pay the bailiff some, or all the money you owe.

You can pay them on the doorstep - you don’t have to invite them into your home.

Make sure you get a receipt, to prove you’ve paid.

If you can't pay

If you can't pay anything right away, speak to the bailiff about repayments, or:

• tell the bailiff you'll pay the money back directly to the organisation you owe it to
  
• write to this organisation, and offer to pay what you can afford

If you don’t offer to pay, you could be taken back to court.

What bailiffs can and can't take

If you let a bailiff into your home, they are allowed to take some of your belongings.

Bailiffs can't take:

• things you need - like your clothes, cooker, furniture or work tools
• someone else's belongings - like your partner’s computer

They can take luxury items - like a TV or games console.

They can also take things from outside your home - like your car or garden equipment.

The bailiff will sell the items they take to pay the debt and cover their fees.

What bailiffs can charge

Bailiffs can charge you for visits - this will be added to what you owe.

They can also charge you fees for coming into your home and taking your belongings.

You can ask for a detailed breakdown of their charges.

If you think they’re charging too much or for something they haven't done, you can challenge them and complain.

Complain about a bailiff

Complain about a private bailiff

Most bailiffs work for private companies, even if they're collecting money for the council or the government.

To complain about a private bailiff, write to the bailiff's company.

If you don't get a response from the company, write to the organisation you owe the money to - for example, the council.

Keep a copy of your complaint letter.

Complain to a trade organisation

You can also complain to the bailiff's trade association.

Check the membership lists on the trade associations' websites, using the links below.

If the bailiff is a member, write to the trade association to complain.

• Civil Enforcement Association - member list Opens new window

• High Court Enforcement Officers Association - directory Opens new window

Complain about a county court bailiff or civilian enforcement officer

To complain about a county court bailiff or civilian enforcement officer, fill in the complaint form (EX343A).

Post the form to the court - you can find the address using the court finder.

• Complaint form (EX343A) Opens new window

• Find your local court Opens new window

Debt collectors

Debt collectors don't have the same powers as bailiffs.

They can't enter your home or take your possessions. They can only write, phone, or visit your home to talk to you about paying back the debt.

Complain about a debt collector

If a debt collector harasses you, you can contact your local trading standards department to complain.

If they threaten you physically, contact the police.

You can also complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service about how a lender or debt collection agency has treated you. You have to follow the lender's complaints procedure first.

• Find your local Trading Standards office Opens new window

• The Financial Ombudsman Service Opens new window

Loan sharks

If you have a loan with an illegal lender or ‘loan shark’, you can get advice from a confidential national hotline on 0300 555 2222.

• Dealing with loan sharks

More useful links

• More information about managing debt

• Dealing with debt problems - a guide

• Where to get advice and support on debt

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts