Tens of thousands of people in England and Wales have bailiffs sent to their homes by water companies each year, with many visits for debts under £1,000, according to data released by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee. Bailiffs, who are court-appointed debt collectors, can seize items such as electrical goods, jewellery, or vehicles from those in debt.
The use of bailiffs varies significantly by region, described as a 'postcode lottery'. Wessex Water has not used bailiffs in ten years, while South West Water, Southern Water, and Yorkshire Water were the heaviest users in 2025 when adjusted for population. Yorkshire Water saw a dramatic increase from 405 bailiff visits in 2016-17 to 6,124 in 2024-25. Severn Trent instructed bailiffs 11,574 times in 2022, and Southern Water peaked at 15,707 in 2019.
Criteria for sending bailiffs differ among companies. Northumbrian Water does not send bailiffs to homes where residents receive means-tested benefits, but Southern Water says such customers are eligible for litigation. Severn Trent does not check for benefits before instructing bailiffs. Southern Water does not pursue customers with dementia or critical illness.
Labour MP John McDonnell criticised the practice, noting that only five water company directors have been prosecuted in 30 years, while thousands of struggling families face bailiffs. He said the system prioritises prosecuting families unable to pay bills over directors responsible for pollution and profiteering.
Some companies said they aim to target bailiffs only at those who can afford to pay but choose not to. Water companies in England and Wales are over £80bn in debt and face £200m in environmental fines. Efra committee chair Alistair Carmichael MP urged companies to review practices, calling legal action a cause of severe stress. The information has been referred to Citizens Advice and the Consumer Council for Water.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said enforcement is a last resort for customers with the ability to pay. Southern Water highlighted its social tariff schemes and £8.5bn investment plan. South West Water said it uses enforcement action only as a last resort.
