What can bailiffs do when they visit?

Key deadlines and limits

• Bailiffs must usually give you at least 14 days' notice of their first visit.
• They cannot visit between 9pm and 6am.
• Use the notice period to contact the council or creditor and agree a payment plan.

Bailiffs are also called enforcement agents. Councils use them to collect unpaid Council Tax, often after a court liability order.

What bailiffs cannot do

• Force their way in or push past you
• Enter if only children under 16 or vulnerable people are at home
• Come in through a window or any way other than a door
• Take things you need to live, like clothes, a cooker or a fridge
• Take things that belong to other people
• Take work tools and equipment worth less than £1,350 in total

Bailiffs can only use force to get in as a last resort for unpaid criminal fines, Income Tax or Stamp Duty. Council Tax is not on that list.

What bailiffs can take

They can take things that are not essential, such as a TV or games console, to sell towards the debt.

Steps to take when a bailiff calls

1. Keep the door shut and talk through it, or through a window. You do not usually have to let them in.
2. Ask for proof of who they are. This includes their badge or ID card, their enforcement agent certificate, their company name and a phone number.
3. Ask for a breakdown of exactly what you owe and what fees have been added.
4. Check they are real. Certificated enforcement agents are listed on a government register (see the GOV.UK bailiff guide for the link).
5. Pay on the doorstep if you can, without letting them in. Always get a receipt.
6. If you cannot pay in full, offer weekly or monthly payments you can afford. They do not have to accept, but it is worth asking.

What to include in an offer

• Your name, address and the debt reference
• Your income and essential bills, so they can see what you can afford
• A clear amount and how often you will pay, such as £20 a week
• Whether anyone vulnerable lives with you, such as young children or someone who is ill or disabled

Put it in writing and keep a copy.

Free help

Get free advice as soon as a bailiff contacts you. GOV.UK lists Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper, National Debtline and StepChange as places to get help. In Scotland and Wales, Citizens Advice has local services too. Never pay for debt help.

If you missed the deadline

If a bailiff has already visited or taken goods, still contact the council and the bailiff company straight away. Bailiff costs are added to what you owe, so the sooner you agree a plan, the better. If you think a bailiff broke the rules, you can complain. GOV.UK's bailiff guide explains how.

If you live in Scotland

• The rules are different. Sheriff officers collect debts instead of bailiffs, and mygov.scot explains your rights.

Related guides

• What is Breathing Space?
• What are my options if I'm in debt?
• How do I apply for bankruptcy?
• What happens if I get a CCJ?
• Can I get a Debt Relief Order?

Where this comes from

• GOV.UK: bailiff powers when they visit your home
• GOV.UK: Council Tax arrears
• GOV.UK: Paying the right level of Council Tax, a plain English guide