You must get 14 clear days' notice, visits are limited to 6am-9pm, most bailiffs can't force entry, and you can complain if they break the rules.
See your optionsWhen bailiffs (enforcement agents) collect a debt, you have legal rights. You must get at least 14 clear days’ written notice before they take control of your goods. They can only do this between 6am and 9pm. For most debts they cannot force their way into your home. They must show ID if you ask, charge only fixed legal fees, and take extra care if you are vulnerable. If they break the rules, you can complain.
These rights come mainly from the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 and the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, which were updated from 1 May 2026. This guide covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules.
| Your right | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Written notice first | A notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before goods are taken (28 if a debt adviser asks for more time) |
| Set hours | Goods can only be taken between 6am and 9pm, with limited exceptions |
| Limits on entry | For most debts, no forced entry to your home. You do not have to let them in |
| Proof of identity | ID and, if asked, details of their authority or certificate |
| Protected goods | Essential household items, work tools up to £1,350 and other people’s belongings cannot be taken |
| Fixed fees | Only the fees set by law can be added |
| Extra care if vulnerable | Your circumstances must be taken into account |
| A way to complain | To the firm, the creditor, the Enforcement Conduct Board, an ombudsman or the court |
Before a bailiff can take control of your goods, you must be sent a notice of enforcement. Since 1 May 2026, this must be given at least 14 clear days before goods are taken. Before that date it was 7 clear days.
“Clear days” means the day the notice is given and the day of the visit do not count. Sundays, bank holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Day are also left out. So 14 clear days usually works out at well over two weeks.
For personal (non-business) debts, a debt adviser can ask for more time on your behalf before the notice period runs out. The minimum notice then becomes 28 clear days. The notice must now tell you about free debt advice and how to ask for this extra time. A court can allow a shorter notice period in rare cases, for example if there is a real risk of goods being hidden.
The notice also starts the clock on fees. A compliance fee of £79 is added at this stage for most debts.
Bailiffs can only take control of goods between 6am and 9pm. They can visit on any day of the week, including weekends. The exceptions are where a court allows other times, where business premises are open outside those hours, or where a bailiff needs to stay a little longer to finish something already started.
There is no set limit on how many times they can visit, but the enforcement fee is charged once rather than for every visit.
For most debts, including council tax, parking fines and county court judgments, a bailiff can only enter peacefully, such as through an unlocked door. You do not have to open the door or let them in. They cannot push past you, climb through a window or break a lock. They must not enter if the only people at home are children under 16 or vulnerable people.
Force is only allowed in limited cases, such as unpaid magistrates’ court fines, some HMRC debts and re-entry after you break a controlled goods agreement. Our guide on when bailiffs can force entry explains each one.
A bailiff should show you ID, such as a badge or ID card, and give details of their authority if you ask. Before paying or signing anything, ask for:
You can check a private bailiff’s certificate on the Certificated Enforcement Agents register run by the Ministry of Justice. High Court enforcement officers are listed by their association, and county court bailiffs can be checked with the court. GOV.UK links to each of these.
Most enforcement firms are accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board. Its standards say agents must wear a working body-worn camera on enforcement visits and record their dealings with people present, where this is necessary and proportionate. They should tell you that you are being recorded. If you want to complain, ask the firm for the footage. You can make a subject access request under data protection law to get a copy.
Bailiffs can only take goods that belong to you, alone or jointly. They cannot take essential household items, such as a cooker, fridge, beds and bedding, or goods you need for work or study worth up to £1,350 in total. They also cannot take things that belong only to someone else. See what bailiffs can take for the full list.
Enforcement agents must take account of vulnerability. This could include serious illness, disability, mental health problems, pregnancy, old age, bereavement, difficulty reading or speaking English, or looking after young children. Tell the bailiff firm and the creditor as soon as possible and send evidence if you can, such as a letter from your GP. The firm may put the case on hold or return it to the creditor. Our guide on bailiffs and mental health covers this in detail.
The government’s National Standards for enforcement agents say bailiffs must act fairly, professionally and within the law. The Enforcement Conduct Board also sets standards for accredited firms. Among other things, a bailiff must not:
Free, confidential guidance on your options. No obligation.
Yes, they can, because there is no law forcing them to accept an offer. However, a realistic offer backed by a budget is hard to refuse, and the creditor can often agree a plan even when the bailiff will not. Read our guide on whether bailiffs can refuse a payment plan.
Debt collection agencies and law firms such as Lowell or Overdales have no power to visit to take your goods. Only enforcement agents acting under a court order, liability order or warrant can do that. A debt collector would first need to take you to court. You still owe a debt you legally owe, but you do not have to let a debt collector in. See our guide to dealing with Overdales Solicitors for an example. If you receive a notice of enforcement from a firm such as Marston, see our guide to stopping Marston Recovery.
If a bailiff breaks the rules, write down what happened as soon as you can. Keep letters, photos and any witness details. Then follow these steps:
County court bailiffs are court staff, so complaints go to the court. You can also take court action to claim for any losses caused by a bailiff breaking the rules, but get advice first as there can be costs. GOV.UK explains each complaint route.
The Enforcement Conduct Board is not yet a statutory regulator. In August 2026 the government announced plans to require all enforcement firms to be accredited by it. Until those plans are in force, check whether a firm is accredited before complaining.
A breathing space gives you legal protection from most creditor action, including bailiffs, for 60 days while you get debt advice. There is also a mental health crisis breathing space, which lasts as long as your crisis treatment plus 30 days. You apply through a debt adviser. Most debts are covered, but some, such as magistrates’ court fines, are not. For long-term options, such as a payment plan, debt relief order, IVA or bankruptcy, get free advice to find what suits you.
Bailiffs can only take control of goods between 6am and 9pm. They can visit on any day of the week, including weekends. There are limited exceptions, such as when a court allows other times or when business premises are open outside those hours. They must also send you a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before taking control of goods.
Since 1 May 2026, a notice of enforcement must be given at least 14 clear days before a bailiff takes control of your goods. The day of the notice and the day of the visit do not count, and nor do Sundays or bank holidays. A debt adviser can ask for this to be extended to at least 28 clear days for personal debts.
Yes, bailiffs do not have to accept a payment offer. However, a realistic offer based on a budget is often accepted, and you can also ask the creditor directly, as they can tell the bailiff to agree. If you are struggling to reach an agreement, a free debt adviser can help you make an offer and look at other options.
For most debts, no. You do not have to open the door or let a bailiff in. They can only enter peacefully, such as through an unlocked door. Forced entry is only allowed in limited cases, including unpaid magistrates' court fines, some HMRC debts, and re-entry after you break a controlled goods agreement.
Ask for their name, ID, company and enforcement agent certificate, plus the creditor's name and reference number. You can check private bailiffs on the Certificated Enforcement Agents register, which GOV.UK links to. High Court enforcement officers are listed by their association, and you can check county court bailiffs with the court.
Complain to the enforcement firm first, and tell the creditor who sent them. If the firm is accredited, you can then go to the Enforcement Conduct Board. For council debts, you can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after complaining to the council. You can also ask the county court to review a bailiff's certificate using form EAC2.
Free, independent debt advice is also available from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice.