Bailiffs and enforcement

Who bailiffs actually are

In England and Wales, bailiffs are now called enforcement agents. They are used to collect certain debts after a court or authority has confirmed the money is owed, most commonly council tax after a liability order, unpaid parking penalties, magistrates' court fines and county court judgments. A debt collection agency chasing a credit card or catalogue is not an enforcement agent and does not have the same powers.

The stages, and the fees that come with them

Enforcement follows a set process. It begins with a Notice of Enforcement, a letter that must give you a minimum period of notice before any visit can take place. If the debt is not dealt with in that window, an agent can visit, and if goods are taken control of they can eventually be removed and sold. Fees are fixed by regulations and are added at each stage, which is why the amount owed can rise sharply once enforcement begins.

What enforcement agents can and cannot do

• They must show identification and the paperwork authorising the visit if asked.
• For most debts they cannot force their way into a home on a first visit, and cannot enter if only children under 16 or a vulnerable person are present.
• Visits are normally restricted to reasonable hours.
• Certain items are protected, including basic household essentials and tools or equipment needed for work up to a set value.
• Extra protections apply to people in vulnerable circumstances.

Where PHMD fits in

When enforcement is involved, time matters and the full picture matters. We listen to what has arrived, when, and what else is going on, then, with your consent, introduce you to a regulated debt specialist who can explain what options exist for someone in your position. Speaking to us costs nothing, and you decide whether to take it further.

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