Enforcement Agents

Dealing with bailiffs at your door

Having a bailiff turn up at your home is stressful, especially if you were not expecting it. You might feel panicked or pressured, but it is important to know that you have rights. In most cases, you do not have to let them in, and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

Bailiffs (also called enforcement agents) are people sent to collect a debt on behalf of a creditor. They are only allowed to visit your home between 6 am and 9 pm.

Your first steps when a bailiff arrives

• Keep your door locked. Bailiffs are allowed to enter through an unlocked door. If you have a porch with a lockable door, lock that too.
• Do not let them in. It is always best to speak through the door or over the phone while you sort out the debt.
• Ask for proof of who they are. Ask them to show you a badge, ID card, or enforcement agent certificate. All registered bailiffs must carry identification. Ask them to pass documents through the letterbox or show them at a window.
• Ask which company they are from. They must also give you a telephone contact number for their head office.
• Check if they are actually a bailiff. If they say they are a "debt collector", tell them to leave. Debt collectors do not have the same legal powers as bailiffs and must go if you ask.
• Check the paperwork. They must show you proof of what you owe, plus a warrant or a document called a writ from a court. Make sure any documents are signed, in date, and have your correct name and address.

When bailiffs can force entry

Bailiffs can only force entry to your home for certain types of debt. They are not allowed to break your door down. "Reasonable force" means they would return with a locksmith to unlock the door. This is very unlikely to happen, and you should still have the chance to pay without them entering.

Bailiffs may have the right to force entry if they are collecting:

• Unpaid magistrates' court fines (for example, a fine for not paying your TV licence)
• Tax debts owed to HM Revenue and Customs (for example, income tax)

If a bailiff says they are getting a locksmith to force entry, contact us straight away for advice.

When bailiffs cannot force entry

For most other types of debt, bailiffs are not allowed to force entry. This includes:

• Council tax arrears
• Credit card or catalogue debts
• Unpaid parking tickets
• Money owed to energy or phone companies

For these debts, you have the right to keep them outside and talk through the closed door. Make sure everyone in your home knows not to let them in.

What to do if you do not owe the debt

If the debt belongs to someone else, tell the bailiff you will contact their head office to explain, and ask them to leave. You can find out more about how to prove it is not your debt on the Citizens Advice website.

What to do if it is your debt

If the debt is yours, tell the bailiff to leave and say you will contact their head office to arrange payment. The bailiff might say you have to pay on the doorstep or let them in. You do not. For debts where they cannot force entry, they are not allowed to force their way in and they cannot bring a locksmith.

They will normally leave if you refuse to let them in. However, they will come back if you do not arrange to pay your debt. Act quickly, because bailiffs can add fees to your debt the longer it takes.

You can complain about a bailiff if they will not leave or you think they are harassing you.

If you let a bailiff in

If you let a bailiff into your home and cannot afford to pay what you owe straight away, you will normally have to make a controlled goods agreement. This means you agree to a repayment plan and pay some bailiff fees. You can read more about making a controlled goods agreement on the Citizens Advice website.

If you do not make an agreement, the bailiffs could remove your belongings to sell and pay off your debt. Find out more about what happens if bailiffs say they will sell your belongings.

If you have broken a controlled goods agreement

If you have missed payments on a controlled goods agreement, you might receive a letter called a notice of intention to re-enter. This gives the bailiff the right to enter your home using "reasonable force" (a locksmith, not breaking the door down).

There may still be time to renegotiate your agreement and stop the bailiffs from visiting. Act quickly and contact us for help.

If you need extra support

Bailiffs must follow extra rules if they consider you vulnerable. You may be classed as vulnerable if you:

• Are disabled or seriously ill
• Have mental health problems
• Have children or are pregnant
• Are under 18 or over 65
• Do not speak or read English well
• Are in a stressful situation, such as a recent bereavement or unemployment

If any of these apply to you, tell the bailiff straight away. You can read more about how bailiffs should treat vulnerable people on the Citizens Advice website.

If you feel threatened

Call 999 if you are being physically threatened by a bailiff. Do bear in mind that the police sometimes treat bailiff visits as a private matter and may not intervene on your side.

Get help

Dealing with bailiffs is frightening, but you do not have to face it alone.

• Email us at info@youthlegal.org.uk
• Call us on 020 3195 1906
• Fill in our contact form and we will get back to you

All our advice is free and confidential. You can also find detailed bailiff guidance at Citizens Advice.