Who's sending the bailiffs?
The word "bailiff" covers several kinds of enforcement agent. Their powers depend on the type of debt, so check the letters you've had.
| Type | Usually collects | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Certificated enforcement agents (private firms) | Council tax, business rates, parking and traffic penalties, some magistrates' court fines | Must follow the Taking Control of Goods rules and charge only the fixed fees. Can't force entry to your home for council tax or parking debts. |
| County court bailiffs (court staff) | Unpaid county court judgments (warrant of control) | Don't charge the stage fees — the creditor's warrant fee is added to the debt. Can't force entry to your home. |
| High Court enforcement officers (HCEOs) | Judgments transferred to the High Court (usually £600 or more, not most consumer credit debts) | Higher fixed fees. Can't normally force entry to your home on a first visit. |
| Magistrates' court fines officers / approved enforcement agents | Criminal fines | Can force entry as a last resort. Unpaid fines can also lead to arrest. |
| HMRC officers | Tax debts | Can use enforcement without a court order and, as a last resort, force entry with a warrant. See our HMRC debt guide. |
How much notice do bailiffs have to give?
Before a bailiff can take control of your goods, you must be sent a notice of enforcement giving at least 14 clear days to pay. Sundays, bank holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Day don't count. If a free debt advice provider asks on your behalf before the notice period ends, the period must be extended to 28 clear days (this extension doesn't apply to business debts).
These longer periods apply from 1 May 2026. Before that the minimum was 7 clear days, so older guides and letters may still quote 7 days. Enforcement action already under way before 1 May 2026 continues under the old rules.
The notice must tell you how much you owe, how to pay, and where to get free debt advice. A court can allow a shorter period only in limited cases, for example if goods are likely to be moved to avoid enforcement.
Can bailiffs force entry to my home?
For council tax, parking penalties and county court or High Court judgments, bailiffs can't force their way into your home to take control of goods. They can only come in "peacefully" — through an unlocked door, or if you let them in. They can't push past you or climb through a window.
The main exceptions are:
- Criminal (magistrates' court) fines and tax debts — bailiffs can force entry, but only as a last resort and, for HMRC, with a court warrant.
- Goods already under control — if you've let a bailiff in before, or signed a controlled goods agreement and then broken it, they can come back for those goods and may be able to use reasonable force to re-enter. They must give you notice first.
- Goods deliberately moved to avoid enforcement — a court can authorise a bailiff to force entry to the premises they were moved to.
Bailiffs must not enter if the only people at home are children under 16 or vulnerable people.
What times and days can bailiffs visit?
Bailiffs can visit on any day of the week, including Sundays and bank holidays, but only between 6am and 9pm. They can stay after 9pm only if they started taking control of goods earlier and need a reasonable amount of extra time to finish, if a court has allowed it, or if the goods are at business premises that are open at that time.
What can bailiffs take — and what can't they?
Bailiffs can take control of goods that belong to you and aren't protected — for example TVs, games consoles, jewellery, or a car you own. They can take items from outside your home, such as a car on the road or driveway, even if you don't let them in.
Protected ("exempt") goods
- Clothing, bedding, beds and furniture you reasonably need
- A cooker or microwave, fridge and washing machine
- A dining table and enough chairs for your household
- One phone (landline, or a mobile if there's no landline)
- Medical, safety and home security equipment
- Basic heating and lighting
- Items needed to care for a child, a disabled person or an older person
- Pets and assistance dogs
- Tools, equipment or a vehicle you need for work or study, up to £1,350 in total
- A vehicle displaying a valid Blue Badge because it's used by a disabled person
Things that aren't yours
- Goods belonging to your partner, children, a lodger or anyone else
- Cars on hire purchase or conditional sale — the finance company owns them until you've paid in full
- Leased or rented items
You may need to show proof such as receipts or a finance agreement. The owner can make a formal claim if goods that aren't yours are taken.
How much can bailiffs charge?
Private enforcement agents can only charge fixed fees set by law. Since 1 May 2026 these are £79 at the compliance stage, £247 at the enforcement stage and £116 at the sale stage, plus 7.5% of the amount over £1,900 at the enforcement and sale stages. The fees are added to what you owe.
| Stage | Most debts (council tax, parking, etc.) | High Court writs |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance (letters, notice of enforcement) | £79 | £79 |
| Enforcement (first visit) | £247 + 7.5% of the debt over £1,900 | £200 + 7.5% of the debt over £1,200 |
| Second enforcement visit | — | £520 |
| Sale or disposal | £116 + 7.5% of the debt over £1,900 | £550 + 7.5% of the debt over £1,200 |
Some costs such as locksmith or storage charges can also be passed on in limited cases. For enforcement that started before 1 May 2026 the previous fees (£75, £235 and £110, with 7.5% above £1,500) apply. County court bailiffs don't charge these stage fees. If you think you've been overcharged, ask for an itemised breakdown and complain (see below). Source: Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026.
How to stop bailiffs
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Contact the creditor and the bailiff firm
Offer an affordable payment based on your budget. For council tax, contact the council as well as the bailiff firm — the council can take the debt back. Get any arrangement in writing and keep to it.
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Get the notice period extended
A free debt adviser can ask for the notice period to be extended to 28 clear days while you sort things out.
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Apply for Breathing Space
Breathing Space stops most enforcement action, including bailiffs, for up to 60 days (or longer in a mental health crisis). You apply through a debt adviser.
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Ask the court (court debts)
For a CCJ, apply to suspend the warrant of control using form N245 and offer instalments. If you never knew about the court case, ask about setting the judgment aside.
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Consider a formal debt solution
A Debt Relief Order, bankruptcy or an IVA can stop most bailiff action for included debts. A debt management plan doesn't legally stop enforcement, and priority debts like council tax are usually dealt with outside it.
Extra protection if you're vulnerable
Enforcement agents must follow national standards and should take extra care with people who may be vulnerable — for example because of serious illness, disability, mental health problems, pregnancy, a recent bereavement, age, difficulty reading or speaking English, or a crisis such as domestic abuse.
Tell the bailiff firm and the creditor in writing, with evidence if you can (a GP letter, for example). They may pause action, refer the case back to the creditor, or give you more time to get advice. If you're receiving mental health crisis treatment, an Approved Mental Health Professional can certify you for a mental health crisis breathing space, which lasts for the length of your treatment plus 30 days.
How to complain about a bailiff
You can complain if a bailiff threatens you, tries to force entry when they're not allowed, charges the wrong fees, or takes protected goods or someone else's belongings.
- Complain to the bailiff firm in writing, and send a copy to the creditor (e.g. the council) who instructed them.
- Council or TfL debts: if you're not happy with the reply, complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
- Trade bodies: if the firm is a member of CIVEA or the HCEOA, use their complaints procedure.
- Enforcement Conduct Board: the independent oversight body for the enforcement industry. In August 2026 the government announced that accreditation by the board will become mandatory for private bailiffs.
- The court: for a serious complaint about a certificated agent, you can ask the court that issued their certificate to review it (form EAC2). County court bailiffs are complained about to the court they work for.
- The police: if there's threatening behaviour, assault or criminal damage.
Keep copies of letters, notes of what happened, and any photos or recordings. You're allowed to film a bailiff visit. See GOV.UK: how to complain about a bailiff.
Bailiffs contacting you? Get free advice now
Free advisers can ask for more time, deal with the creditor and help you agree a plan you can afford.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to let bailiffs in?
No. For most debts you don't have to open the door or let a bailiff in, and they can't force entry to your home. You can talk through the door or pay without letting them in. The exceptions are mainly criminal fines and tax debts, and goods a bailiff has already taken control of.
How much notice do bailiffs have to give?
Since 1 May 2026, you must get a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before a bailiff takes control of goods, not counting Sundays and bank holidays. A free debt adviser can ask for this to be extended to 28 clear days for non-business debts.
What time can bailiffs come?
Between 6am and 9pm, on any day of the week including weekends and bank holidays. They can only stay later if they started earlier and need reasonable extra time, a court has allowed it, or the goods are at business premises open at that time.
Can bailiffs take my car?
Yes, if you own it, even from the road or your driveway. They can't take a car on hire purchase or conditional sale (the finance company owns it), a vehicle displaying a valid Blue Badge, or a vehicle you need for work if it counts within the £1,350 tools-of-trade allowance.
How much can bailiffs charge?
For most debts since 1 May 2026: £79 at the compliance stage, £247 at the enforcement stage and £116 at the sale stage, plus 7.5% of the debt over £1,900 at the last two stages. High Court enforcement fees are higher. Ask for an itemised breakdown if the total looks wrong.
What can I do if bailiffs are at my door right now?
Keep the door locked and speak through it. Ask for ID, the company name, a phone number and a breakdown of the debt. Tell them about any vulnerability. Don't sign anything you don't understand, and call National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 or StepChange on 0800 138 1111 for free advice.
Are the rules the same in Scotland?
No. In Scotland, sheriff officers enforce debts using different procedures called diligence. This guide covers England and Wales only.