Dealing with bailiffs (enforcement agents) in England and Wales: notice, fees and your rights

Bailiffs, now officially called enforcement agents, collect debts such as Council Tax arrears, parking penalties, court fines and county court or High Court judgments. There are several kinds. Certificated enforcement agents mostly work for private firms. High Court enforcement officers (HCEOs) enforce High Court writs. County court and family court bailiffs are court staff. Civilian enforcement officers and Approved Enforcement Agents collect magistrates' court fines.

Debt collectors are not bailiffs and have no power to take your belongings. Citizens Advice says a notice of enforcement from a debt collector isn't valid. Before you let anyone in or pay them, ask for proof of identity, the name of their firm, a phone number and a detailed breakdown of what you owe. You can check a certificated agent on the register of certificated bailiffs. Pretending to be a bailiff is fraud.

A bailiff must send a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before taking control of your goods. The count doesn't include the day you get the notice, the day of the visit, Sundays, bank holidays, Good Friday or Christmas Day. This minimum went up from 7 to 14 clear days on 1 May 2026 under the Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026. Enforcement action taken before that date isn't affected.

If a debt adviser asks the bailiff before your notice period ends, the minimum goes up to 28 clear days. This doesn't apply to some business debts. Notices sent under the new rules must tell you about free debt advice and the right to ask for the extension. A court can allow a shorter notice period, but only if it believes you're likely to move or get rid of goods to avoid the bailiff.

Check the notice carefully. It should show your correct name and address, the debt and the amount, and come from a certificated bailiff. Bailiffs generally have 12 months from the date of the notice to take control of goods. If you agree a payment plan and then miss payments, those 12 months start again from the date you missed.

Bailiff fees are fixed by the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014. New amounts apply from 1 May 2026. Most debts go through three stages: compliance (writing to you), enforcement (visiting) and sale. At the enforcement and sale stages, the bailiff can also add 7.5% of any debt above £1,900. High Court enforcement officers use four stages with higher fees and a £1,200 threshold for the percentage.

Example: for £2,700 of Council Tax arrears, the compliance fee is £79. If a visit follows, the enforcement fee is £247 plus 7.5% of £800 (£60), making £307. That's £386 on top of the debt before any sale. If one firm is collecting several debts, it can charge a compliance fee for each debt but only one visit fee and one sale fee. The bailiff can also pass on reasonable costs such as storage, auction or locksmith charges and court fees. They must give you a written breakdown.

HCEOs have a new rule since May 2026. If you pay in full, or agree a repayment arrangement or controlled goods agreement and keep to it, they can only charge the first enforcement fee. If nobody is in at the first visit, you must get another chance to pay before the second-stage fee can be added.

Bailiffs can take non-essential items such as a TV or games console, and they can take a car parked on the road. They can't take the basics your household needs. That includes clothing, bedding, a cooker or microwave, a fridge, a washing machine, a dining table and chairs for everyone, beds, one phone, medical and safety equipment, and heating and lighting. They also can't take items needed to care for a child, a disabled person or an older person, or pets and assistance dogs. Tools and equipment you need for work, study or education are protected up to a combined value of £1,350. Vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge because they carry a disabled person are also exempt. Bailiffs can't take someone else's belongings, although you may need to prove who owns them.

You usually don't have to open the door. Bailiffs can only come in between 6am and 9pm, and only through a door or another normal way in. For Council Tax, parking penalties and most civil debts they cannot push past you or force their way in. However, they can come in through a door you've left unlocked. They must not enter when the only people home are children under 16 or vulnerable people. Force can be used as a last resort to collect unpaid criminal fines, Income Tax or Stamp Duty. It can also be used to re-enter after you break a controlled goods agreement, which is the list of items you agree not to sell while you pay.

If you're vulnerable (for example seriously ill, disabled, pregnant or recently bereaved), tell the bailiff and the creditor in writing. Citizens Advice says bailiffs have to follow extra rules in that situation.

The kind of debt decides which route is used and how much power the bailiff has. Council Tax is a priority debt. The council must get a liability order from the magistrates' court before it can use bailiffs. It can also deduct money from your wages or benefits instead. Citizens Advice says prison of up to 3 months is possible only if a court decides you've deliberately refused to pay and bailiffs haven't recovered the debt. See Council Tax arrears help.

For a county court judgment, the creditor applies for a warrant of control, which costs them £96. County court bailiffs can enforce debts of £5,000 or less. For debts of £600 or more, the creditor can use a High Court writ instead, and HCEO fees are higher. You can ask the court to suspend a warrant and set affordable payments using form N245, which has a £16 fee.

You can complain if a bailiff threatens or harasses you, tries to force entry without a warrant, charges the wrong fees, or takes essential items or someone else's goods. Complain in writing to the bailiff firm and to the creditor. If the firm was collecting for a council or Transport for London, complain to that body first. If you're still unhappy after that, go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

You can also complain to the firm's trade body if it's a member: the Civil Enforcement Association for certificated agents or the High Court Enforcement Officers Association for HCEOs. For serious misconduct by a certificated agent, send form EAC2 to the court where they are registered. The court can cancel their certificate or order compensation. The complaint is free, but you could have to pay costs if the court finds you had no reasonable grounds. Complaints about county court bailiffs go to the court that sent them. For a private bailiff collecting a magistrates' fine, complain to the firm and send a copy to the court that issued the warrant.

Get free debt advice as soon as a notice arrives. An adviser can check the notice, deal with the bailiff for you, ask for the 28-day extension, and apply for Breathing Space. Breathing Space stops enforcement action, interest and charges for up to 60 days, or longer if you're in mental health crisis treatment. Free, regulated help is available from StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper. You can also use our debt advice locator.

Scotland has no bailiffs. Sheriff officers work under different rules. In Northern Ireland, the Enforcement of Judgments Office enforces court judgments and does not seize essentials such as clothing, bedding, cookers, fridges, most furniture and tools of your trade.