Bailiffs and You – What Can They Actually Do?

Sometimes you might get stressed if you find yourself facing bailiff actions. It is preferable to take the advisor’s advice to guide you and help you deal with a bailiff. Our bailiff help UK desk has the best advisors that allow you to understand what exactly they do and what their rights are, as this might be a confusing affair most of the time.

So, in this article, we have tried to clear up your doubt regarding what a bailiff can do and the rights regarding it. Let’s quickly dig into the more detailed information about it.

Who are bailiffs?

Bailiff, also called enforcement agents, are enforcers in the court for the judgment and works on recovering debts on behalf of their clients or creditors. The two ways the bailiff recovers the debt is either by seizing the creditor’s things to sell or by directly taking the payment. Most of the time, bailiffs visit to retrieve a public debt that includes:

• Unpaid income tax
• Court fines
• Unpaid VAT

Although there are some rules that bailiffs must follow and you can complain if they break the rules. One can also stop bailiff if they collect anything belonging to you instead of taking someone’s else debt.

Things bailiffs cannot take while collecting the debt

Bailiffs cannot take some of the goods as they are protected and not included in the takeaway protocol. Bailiffs cannot take:

• Goods that you don’t own. But they can take the one you have jointly with someone else.
• Assistance dogs and pets
• The equipment you need for your job or study like vehicles, tools, and gadgets such as computers or laptops.
• Fixed properties like fitted furniture or kitchen units.
• Phones, either mobile or landline
• A vehicle displaying a blue badge or Motability

Moreover, they have to leave the things without taking them that are necessary for your daily basic needs, such as:

• A table and chair
• Beds and bedding for the drawing room
• A microwave or fridge
• A washing machine
• Any medical equipment that is needed for a child or old person

Now, let’s see what all things they can take.

Things bailiffs can take

In order to settle your debts, a bailiff may take either item from your place or as listed in the Controlled Goods Agreement (CGA). Now, this agreement acts as a repayment plan if you fail to pay your debts on time. If you fail to do so, then they can seize the goods listed in the CGA. They can seal non-essential possession like:

• Television
• Jewelry
• Non-essential furniture
• Vehicle (in rare circumstances)

Can bailiffs take a four-wheeler vehicle?

Vehicles are the bailiff’s first target if you owe any. This is because it is easy to find, easy to sell, and one of the high-cost things anyone can have. Certain circumstances make the bailiff decide whether to take your car or not. They cannot take it if:

• You are a blue badge holder.
• Your vehicle is purchased on finance, and the agreement hasn’t been made, or the installments are still not over.
• You are a taxi driver, for instance, or it is essential for your job.
• That vehicle is your permanent home like a caravan, camper van, or houseboat.

If the circumstances mentioned above do not apply to you, then they can take your cars.

What are the fees of bailiffs?

Usually, the fees of the bailiff depend upon the type and total of the debt you own. After that, the fees will be added to the creditor who employed them with your current total debt.

Through bailiff help now, you can manage all bailiff problems and debts. Their experts will assess your situation and provide the best outcome that suits your circumstances at a very reasonable price. There are several plans you can choose to settle your debts.

How to stop bailiffs?

Sometimes it becomes an exceptionally stressful and frightening experience when a bailiff visits your home. So, it is essential to know how to deal with them and have strategic plans if you are at risk of being seen. Most citizens advise not to allow the bailiff to enter your property in any circumstances.

One can stop bailiff at their doorstep or talk through the window, or can directly call the editor to settle down with the payment plan before their goods or vehicle gets seized. Ensure that all of your other doors and windows are closed so that there would not be any different paths for them to enter your house.

Whenever the bailiff visits you, the first thing to do is ask them for their identification proof, name, and contact details. If they fail to prove their identity, ask them to leave or call the police if they refuse to. Dial the helpline number if you feel uncomfortable or fraud.

Hence, we hope you are clear about the do’s and don’t of bailiffs and ways to stop them.