What to do if bailiffs turn up at your door
A notice of enforcement is a letter that tells you bailiffs will visit your home to collect debt payments. When you receive a notice of enforcement, it can be quite frightening. You might even be tempted to ignore it.
But you shouldn’t wait for enforcement agents (the official name for a bailiff) to arrive at your home before doing something about it.
If you have been given 14 days’ notice to respond to a bailiff’s letter, there are a few options available to you.
You might be able to extend the notice period from 14 to 28 days with the help of a money advisor. This is available for non-business debt collection, if the request is made before the original 14-day period expires.
You may also be able to take advantage of one of the debt relief programmes that are available.
These include Breathing Space, a free UK Government scheme that can pause enforcement action for 60 days while you get advice.
As well as discussing the options available to you, our Money Advice team can give you advice on how to deal with your debts. So, if you receive a notice of enforcement, get in touch with us right away.
If it’s too late, and bailiffs are due to arrive at your home, you still have rights.
These steps apply if you have a non-criminal debt. These include credit cards, utility bills, and mobile phone contracts. If you’re being evicted from your home, or your debt is a criminal debt, the rules are not the same. These include things like fixed penalty notices, compensation you’ve been ordered to pay, or a court fine.
For example, a bailiff is allowed to force their way into your home if you have unpaid criminal fines in some circumstances. For eviction, you need specialist housing advice and also may want to consider Breathing Space if you are being evicted for arrears. To find out if you’re eligible, you can book an appointment for with the Money Advice team.
If your debt is non-criminal, and bailiffs turn up at your home, here are the steps you should take.
1. Don’t open the door
You don’t have to open the door to speak to enforcement agents. You can lock the door and speak through a closed door, a closed window or the letterbox.
If you’re worried about what enforcement agents are saying or doing outside your home, you can record their behaviour.
Enforcement agents can come into your home through an unlocked door. They’re not allowed to push past you to get inside, unless they are collecting unpaid criminal fines.
Our advice is always to not let them in and keep your doors and windows closed. Remember that you can’t be arrested for refusing entry to a bailiff.
If you don’t let them in, be aware that they can still take belongings from outside your home, including your car.
If you have a car, then get advice from our Money Advice service by filling in this form. There is a risk they could clamp your car and take it away.
2. Ask for ID
Ask to see the enforcement agent’s ID, and for details of the debt they’re collecting. If you’re on the ground floor, they can show you their ID through a window. Otherwise, they can hand it to you through the letterbox.
Debt collectors and enforcement agents aren’t the same. Enforcement agents can legally visit your home to remove your belongings and sell them to pay off your debts.
They are sent to collect priority debts, like council tax, child maintenance arrears, or criminal fines.
Debt collectors don’t have the same powers. They can only speak with you to make payment arrangements. They can’t take anything from your home. It’s a lot rarer for a debt collector to turn up at your home.
3. Tell them if you’re vulnerable
If you’re vulnerable, you need to let the bailiffs know. This could include mental health problems, serious illness, disability or pregnancy.
There might be other circumstances that make the situation harder for you to cope with. This might include losing your job or a recent bereavement.
It’s a good idea to call the bailiffs to let them know you’re vulnerable before they arrive at your home.
It’s also worth writing to them to give them this information. That way, you have evidence that you got in touch.
If you call and/or write to them when you receive your notice of enforcement, it might stop them from visiting you. You might also be able to avoid fees being added to your debts.
You can also tell the enforcement agent about being vulnerable when they arrive at your home.
If you’re classed as vulnerable, bailiffs should treat your case with extra care. For example, they won’t enter your home if you’re there on your own.
4. Don’t ignore the situation
Once the enforcement agents have left, you should act right away. If you don’t deal with your debts, the bailiffs might come back another time. Enforcement fees can also increase over time.
That’s why it’s important to take steps to deal with your debts.
Here at South West London Law Centres, our Money Advice team can offer free expert advice that will help you tackle your debts.
We can talk you through your options and help you apply for extra help. Our advisors can also talk you through ways of managing your money that will help you in the future.
To access help, head to our Money Advice page to find out your options. To request a debt appointment, hit the button below.