Ten tips to help deal with bailiffs
1. Don't ignore what is happening
If bailiffs have sent you a letter to say they will visit your home, things will only get worse if you ignore it.
It is not too late to get in touch with the people you owe and offer them payments you can afford. They are usually happy to help.
Getting debt advice is a great first step. You can make a budget and see what you have left over to put towards your debt.
2. Keep calm and never act aggressively
Getting angry and attacking the bailiff will make things a lot worse.
Stay calm and remember you can still get help to manage your debt even if bailiffs turn up. There is a way forward.
3. Keep your doors locked at all times
Bailiffs are allowed to enter your home through unlocked doors. Make sure everyone in the house knows not to open the door to someone they do not know. It is important to tell your children this too.
Fit a door chain if you can, these only cost a couple of pounds. If you have a porch with a lockable door, lock that too.
4. Do not open the door to a bailiff unless you have had advice to
You can speak to them through the letterbox or from an upstairs window.
It is most likely they are visiting your home to try and sort out a payment arrangement because you did not reply to the letter they sent. You do not have to let them in at this stage.
You may get advice to let them in if:
- They are collecting unpaid magistrates court fines
- They are collecting debts for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), such as income tax debts
This is rare. You should still have the chance to sort out your debt without them coming in.
Read more about your rights and bailiff powers
5. Ask to see proof of ID and a copy of the warrant or writ
The rules say bailiffs must show you these. They can hold these up to a window or show you through the letterbox. Make a note of their name and the company they work for in case you need to complain about a bailiff.
Tell them to leave if they cannot prove who they are. If they will not leave, tell them you are reporting them to the police.
6. Keep all paperwork you get from a bailiff
Keep them in a folder or envelope and check the correct date is on any paperwork they hand you at your door. Check if they have added fees to your debt and how much this is.
Always get a receipt for any payments you make to them.
7. Sign a controlled goods agreement if they ask you to
If you do not sign it, they might take your goods straight away. This is rare. But it is important you check the agreement is correct before you sign.
You should check:
- If any goods listed are not yours. Ask them to write down they are not yours
- If they have listed goods they are not allowed to take. Tell them to cross those off
- The amount you owe is correct
- Your name and address is right
Find out more about controlled goods agreements and what bailiffs can and cannot take
8. Make sure the payments you agree to are realistic
If you sign a controlled goods agreement or make a payment arrangement with a bailiff, make sure you can really afford it.
Making payments you cannot afford could mean your situation gets worse. Bailiffs are not supposed to suggest payment amounts that could make things more difficult for you.
You can make a budget to clearly show the bailiffs what you can and cannot afford to pay.
9. Lock your car in your garage or park away from your home
Vehicles are an easy target for bailiffs because they are the easiest item to sell. If they know you have a car, bailiffs with look hard for it.
Some bailiffs will even use number plate recognition cameras to spot vehicles not parked at the home they are visiting.
If a bailiff has already found your car and listed it, hiding it could be a criminal offence.
Bailiffs are not allowed to take vehicles still owned by the company you have a finance agreement with. Find out what to do if a bailiff tries to take or clamp a hire purchase car that you are still paying for.
10. Take a complaint further with The Enforcement Conduct Board
If you have made a complaint about a bailiff and are not happy with their response, you can ask for it to be looked at again.
The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) investigate times where bailiffs in England and Wales might not have followed the rules they are supposed to. They want to make sure enforcement action is fair for everyone.
If the agency the bailiff works for is registered with them, they will look into your complaint further.