Having a bailiff at your door is very stressful, especially if you don’t know your rights.
Don’t Panic and Don’t Ignore It – You may still have time to deal with your debt before the bailiff comes to your home, act now, telephone 0800 027 7769 (free from a landline and mobile) and ask to speak to a member of the Money Matters Team.
Get Help – If you need help and support, please contact our Money Matters Team on 0800 027 7769 (free from a landline and mobile)
Know Your Rights – it’s extremely important that you know what the bailiffs you are dealing with are allowed to do, we can help explain this to you, please contact our Money Matters Team 0800 027 7769 (free from a landline and mobile)
Don’t Let Them Into Your Home – If they haven’t been inside your home before, most bailiffs, including those enforcing Council Tax can only enter your home if you let them in. Keep doors and windows closed and tell your family not to open the doors or windows.
Don’t be intimidated, you don’t need to talk to the bailiff – close your curtains and don’t open your door.
You Can’t Be Arrested – you can’t be arrested for not letting a bailiff into your home if they have not already been in and made a list of goods.
Forced Entry – Some bailiffs can force entry into your home, (bailiffs collecting unpaid fines issued by magistrate or the crown courts) although they hardly ever do this .
Breathing Space (also known as the Debt Respite Scheme) – You can tell the bailiff and your creditor if you are taking advice and asking for breathing space. Click here for more information about breathing space.
Bailiff Fees – Bailiffs will charge you a fee for coming to you home, this is added to your debt. If you let the bailiff in or they gain access to your goods, they can charge a fee for this too and more even fees if they remove items.
Remember seek help, act now, contact our Money Matters Team 0800 027 7769 (free from a landline and mobile) our use our online referral form
