If a bailiff is set to visit your home, it is important to know your legal rights. Bailiffs can visit for reasons such as unpaid council tax, parking tickets, or court fines, but they operate under strict legal requirements that limit their access to your home.
When can a bailiff visit?
A bailiff can visit your home between 6am and 9pm, six days a week. A visit on a Sunday usually requires a specific court order. They must also issue a written Notice of Enforcement at least 14 days before the visit, giving you time to pay your fines or taxes and stop the visit.
Do I have to let a bailiff inside?
Bailiffs are not usually permitted to enter your home without your permission. They cannot force their way inside, and if children are inside, they are not allowed to enter. The exception is for collecting unpaid criminal fines, Income Tax, or Stamp Duty, but this would only be a last resort.
If you refuse entry, a bailiff may take items from outside your home, such as your car, and you could face even higher fines as a result. If a bailiff turns up, verify their identity by asking for proof and checking it against the register of certificated bailiffs or the court register. If they claim to be an Approved Enforcement Agent, check they are from one of these companies: Compliant Data-Led Engagements & Resolutions (CDER) Group, Marston Holdings Limited, or Jacobs Enforcement.
What can a bailiff do inside my home?
If you refuse to pay and let the bailiff inside, they may seize your belongings to sell and pay the debt. They can only take non-essential items such as televisions and gaming consoles. They cannot take things you need, such as your clothes, cooker, or fridge; work tools and equipment worth less than £1,350 together; or someone else's belongings, such as your partner's computer. You will have to prove that someone else's goods do not belong to you.
What if I can't pay them?
If you cannot afford to pay, the first option is to discuss payment plans with the bailiff, offering to pay what you can afford in weekly or monthly payments. The bailiff does not have to accept your offer. Check if you qualify as vulnerable under the law, as this may give you extra time to pay. If you take no action and do not pay, the fees will increase.
