If the bailiffs call what can they take and what do they have to leave?

Answer 1

Once gaining entry to your home, a bailiff will usually try to find and seize any goods of value belonging to the person who owes the debt or who is named on the warrant.

Once in the house the bailiff has the right to go into all rooms and can break open any locked door or cupboard inside your house. If the bailiff gains peaceful entry s/he has the right to call again and enter even without your permission, i.e. s/he can break in and remove your goods.

Any attempt to remove a bailiff from your property once they have gained peaceful entry is assault and you could be taken to court for it.

Once in the house, a bailiff will attempt to seize your goods in order to sell them off at public auction to raise money to pay the debt that you owe. The bailiff will make clear an intention to seize various items, either verbally, or by attaching a mark to them, or by touching them. This is sometimes called levying distress or distraining upon goods.

Once the bailiff has seized goods, they have a number of options. They can either remove items they have seized immediately from the property to be stored and eventually sold at public auction. Alternatively, they can leave someone on the premises to guard the items that have been seized or, in the case of bailiffs collecting rent, secure items that have been seized in your home. These last two options are very rarely used.

The most likely outcome is that the bailiff will ask you to sign a 'walking possession agreement'.


the cannot take

Bailiffs (except bailiffs acting on behalf of the magistrate's court - see below) cannot seize the following goods:

tools, goods, vehicles and other items of equipment necessary for use by you in your employment, business or vocation;
clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and provisions as are necessary for satisfying the basic domestic needs of you and your family
Bailiffs acting on behalf of the magistrates' court cannot seize the following goods:

clothing, beds and bedding tools of the trade
basic domestic needs of the family would normally include fridge, cookers, freezers, but may not include video recorders, second TV's, jewellery, washing machines, stereos or microwave cookers.


hope this helps

Answer 2

baliffs can take as much or as little that is required.

They only have to leave you with the basic living needs, like somewhere to sit, an oven, and a bed, and if you have children.

Most baliffs are quite happy to set-up a payment plans cos they are happier to receive money vs goods.

Answer 3

They can take anything they like within reason. They will leave you with the basics for living, anything that you can prove belongs to somebody else, i.e. is leased or on credit. Other than that everything is up for grabs

Answer 4

They can take anything of value to the amount you owe but normally they will leave you items for basic living ie cooker

Answer 5

They can take anything to the value of what you owe except basic living essentials

Answer 6

depends what u have in the house. if u have'nt got much they will come and price what valuables u have. if this isnt nearly enough to pay the debt they will arrange a weekly payment plan. same thing happened to me. i got rid of half my stuff before they came up!

Answer 7

They have to leave essentials for life and anything that's on finance as you don't own it....

A TV isn't essential LOL

Answer 8

they can't take any thing if you don't let them in.

Answer 9

depends what you call them!!