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Bailiff powers when they visit your home

If you’re expecting a visit from the bailiffs and want to know where you stand, we’re here to help. Read on to find out everything you need to know about bailiff powers when they visit your home

When can bailiffs visit your home?

First things first, bailiffs should never turn up on your doorstep without prior notice. There’s a strict process that needs to be followed.  

If you’ve fallen behind with your debts and haven’t been able to negotiate a payment plan, your creditor might apply to the courts to help them recover their money. It’s only then that bailiffs can be called in.

Once bailiffs have been assigned to your case, you’ll be sent a notice of enforcement. This letter details exactly when they intend to visit so you can prepare. Once the date is set, they should only arrive after 6am and before 9pm.

Can bailiffs force entry to your home? 

When you think of bailiffs, images of people breaking down doors might come to mind, but luckily that’s more fiction than fact.

Bailiffs can only use reasonable means to force entry into your home in specific circumstances. Breaking down your door or crawling through a window definitely wouldn’t count as reasonable means, but they do have the power to come back with a locksmith. If they do this, they should also have a warrant or court writ that’s signed, in date, and featuring your name and address.

The power to force entry only applies if they are collecting:

  • Unpaid court fines
  • Income Tax
  • Stamp Duty

Bailiffs can also access via reasonable means if they’re visiting your home for the second time because you’ve broken the terms of your Controlled Goods Agreement (more on that later).

Otherwise, they don’t have the power to force entry and you don’t have to let them come inside.

Types of debt that don’t allow forced entry include:

  • Council tax arrears
  • Unpaid parking tickets
  • Overdue utility payments
  • Credit card debts

While you don’t have to let the bailiffs come into your home, it’s worth keeping in mind that you could have more fees added to your debt. They can also take items they find outside your home like your car.

Do bailiffs and debt collectors have the same powers?

Bailiffs have more powers than debt collectors. In fact, if a debt collector knocks on your door, you can ask them to leave, and they must go.

If you’re not sure whether you’ve been visited by a bailiff or a debt collector, don’t be afraid to ask for identification. There’s no need to open the door, they can show their ID through the window or post it through the letter box.

Registered bailiffs should have an enforcement agent certificate that they can show you to prove their identity.

What can bailiffs remove from your home?

If bailiffs do enter your home, they will start making a list of all valuable items that could be removed if you don’t pay your debts. This is known as a Controlled Goods Agreement. Even so, they won’t usually take these items on the day if you agree to enter a repayment plan and to pay their fees.

There are also several items that they’re not allowed to take including:

  • Things you need to live like your clothes, cooker, or fridge
  • Any essential medical equipment
  • Tools and equipment you use for work that are worth less than £1350
  • Items that don’t belong to you

If you do have things in your home that belong to a friend or partner, for example, you might need to show proof that you don’t own them to avoid them being included in the Controlled Goods Agreement.  

What can I do to prevent bailiffs from visiting my home?

The best way to stop bailiffs from arriving at your home is to take proactive steps to manage your debt. There are a wide range of reasons why you might be having trouble keeping up with your payments, but the sooner you seek help, the easier it can be to get back on track. Don’t wait until the notice of enforcement comes in the post, consider finding expert debt advice as soon as you start struggling.

If you haven’t been able to find a debt management solution before the notice of enforcement arrives, it’s still not too late to prevent a bailiff visit. You can use the contact details on the letter to get in touch and try to negotiate a payment plan. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to pay the full amount, set up an affordable new plan, or even reduce your outstanding debt.


Looking for support with your debts? Our team of experts is here to help. Give us a call on 0161 768 4725 or send a message here