The South West London Law Centres have published new advice on what to do if bailiffs turn up at your door
A notice of enforcement is a letter that tells you bailiffs will visit your home to collect debt payments. When you receive a notice of enforcement, it can be quite frightening. You might even be tempted to ignore it.
Don’t let them in: if enforcement officers turn up at your door, you are within your rights to refuse them entry
But you shouldn’t wait for enforcement agents – bailiffs – to arrive at your home before doing something about it.
If you have been given 14 days’ notice to respond to a bailiff’s letter, there are a few options available to you.
You might be able to extend the notice period from 14 to 28 days with the help of a money advisor. This is available for non-business debt collection, if the request is made before the original 14-day period expires.
You may also be able to take advantage of one of the debt relief programmes that are available.
These include Breathing Space, a free government scheme that can pause enforcement action for 60 days while you get advice.
As well as discussing the options available to you, SWLLC’s Money Advice team can give you advice on how to deal with your debts. So, if you receive a notice of enforcement, get in touch with SWLLC right away.
If it’s too late, and bailiffs are due to arrive at your home, you still have rights. Here are the practical steps you can take:
1. Don’t open the door
You don’t have to open the door to speak to enforcement agents. You can lock the door and speak through a closed door, a closed window or the letterbox.
If you’re worried about what enforcement agents are saying or doing outside your home, you can record their behaviour.
Enforcement agents can come into your home through an unlocked door. They’re not allowed to push past you to get inside.
Our advice is always to not let them in and keep your doors and windows closed.
You can’t be arrested for refusing entry to a bailiff.
If you don’t let them in, be aware that they can still take belongings from outside your home, including your car.
If you have a car, then get advice from SWLLC Money Advice service by filling in this form.
There is a risk they could clamp your car and take it away.
2. Ask for ID
Ask to see the enforcement agent’s ID, and for details of the debt they’re collecting. If you’re on the ground floor, they can show you their ID through a window. Otherwise, they can hand it to you through the letterbox.
Debt collectors and enforcement agents aren’t the same. Enforcement agents can legally visit your home to remove your belongings and sell them to pay off your debts. They are sent to collect priority debts, like Council Tax, child maintenance arrears or criminal fines.
Debt collectors don’t have the same powers. They can only speak with you to make payment arrangements. They can’t take anything from your home. It’s a lot rarer for a debt collector to turn up at your home.
3. Let them know if you’re vulnerable
If you’re vulnerable, you need to let the bailiffs know. This could include mental health problems, serious illness, disability or pregnancy.
There might be other circumstances that make the situation harder for you to cope. This might include losing your job or a recent bereavement.
It’s a good idea to call the bailiffs to let them know you’re vulnerable before they arrive at your home. It’s also worth writing to them to give them this information. That way, you have evidence that you got in touch.
If you call or write to them when you receive your notice of enforcement, it might stop them from visiting you. You might also be able to avoid fees being added to your debts.
You can also tell the enforcement agent about being vulnerable when they arrive at your home.
If you’re classed as vulnerable, bailiffs should treat your case with extra care. For example, they won’t enter your home if you’re there on your own.
4. Don’t ignore the situation
Once the enforcement agents have left, you should act right away. If you don’t deal with your debts, the bailiffs might come back another time. Enforcement fees can also increase over time.
That’s why it’s important to take steps to deal with your debts.
At South West London Law Centres, the Money Advice team can offer free expert advice that will help you tackle your debts.
“We can talk you through your options and help you apply for extra help. Our advisors can also talk you through ways of managing your money that will help you in the future.”
- To access help, head to our Money Advice page to find out your options
- To request a debt appointment, click this link
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, as featured on Google News Showcase, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
As featured on Google News Showcase
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network
