What Is a Notice of Enforcement? What Happens Next

What Does an Enforcement Notice Mean?

A Notice of Enforcement means the debt has progressed beyond ordinary reminders and an enforcement agent has been instructed to take action.

It does not mean that a bailiff can immediately arrive and remove your belongings. The notice period exists to give you an opportunity to deal with the debt before enforcement progresses to a visit.

A Notice of Enforcement should contain important information including your name and address, details that identify the debt, the amount outstanding, enforcement costs already added, possible further costs, details of how to pay and the date and time by which payment should be made.

If you have received one, our guide to dealing with a letter saying bailiffs will visit explains the next steps in more detail.

How Is a Notice of Enforcement Sent?

A Notice of Enforcement must be given in writing, but that does not necessarily mean it will always arrive as a paper letter through your door.

Depending on the circumstances, it can be given by post, by hand, through certain forms of electronic communication or personally to the debtor. This is why you should not automatically assume that a notice is invalid simply because you did not receive a traditional letter.

The notice should still contain the information required by law and give you the appropriate period to respond before goods are taken into control.

You can read the current rules in the Taking Control of Goods Regulations.

Can I Stop a Notice of Enforcement?

Receiving the notice does not necessarily mean a bailiff visit is unavoidable. Acting during the compliance period can sometimes prevent the case progressing further.

If the debt is correct and you can afford to pay it, dealing with it before an enforcement visit may prevent additional enforcement-stage costs. If you cannot pay in full, contact the enforcement company and explain your circumstances.

For an eligible debt, a debt adviser can also make a qualifying request before the original notice period expires for the minimum period to be extended to at least 28 clear days. This is intended to provide additional time to access advice and consider how to deal with the debt.

If enforcement is already progressing, see our Stop Bailiffs Action guide.

What Happens After a Notice of Enforcement?

If the debt has not been resolved by the end of the notice period, an enforcement agent may move to the next stage and visit your home or another relevant location.

At this stage they may ask for payment, discuss a repayment arrangement or take control of eligible goods. Depending on the circumstances, this could include clamping or taking control of a vehicle outside your home.

Further enforcement fees can also be added once the case progresses beyond the compliance stage, which is another reason to deal with the notice as early as possible.

GOV.UK guidance on bailiff powers explains what enforcement agents can and cannot do when they visit.

Do I Have to Let Bailiffs In?

For most common debts, you do not normally have to let a bailiff into your home.

They cannot usually force their way into a residential property, push past you or enter through a window. However, they may be able to enter through an unlocked door where peaceful entry is permitted, and different rules can apply for certain debts or where an enforcement agent is lawfully re-entering to deal with goods already taken into control.

Not letting a bailiff inside does not make the debt disappear. They may still be able to take control of eligible goods outside your property, including some vehicles.

Read more about the rules in our guide to whether bailiffs can force entry into your home.

What Should I Do If I Didn’t Receive a Notice of Enforcement Letter?

If a bailiff arrives and you believe you never received a Notice of Enforcement, tell the enforcement company straight away.

Ask them for a copy of the notice and confirmation of when, where and how it was given. Remember that a valid Notice of Enforcement does not always have to arrive as a paper letter, as electronic methods of communication can also be used in some circumstances.

If the notice was sent to an incorrect address, did not contain the required information or did not give you the correct notice period, raise this with the enforcement company and the creditor that instructed them. Ask whether enforcement will be placed on hold while the issue is investigated.

Citizens Advice also provides guidance on dealing with a Notice of Enforcement.