Fresh Start Debt Support
Understand the 7-day notice, when bailiffs can visit, what they can and can’t take, fees, vehicles on finance, vulnerability rules and how to use Breathing Space or solutions like an IVA/DRO to reduce or stop contact.
✅ Start Your Free Help CheckDon’t open the door. Speak through a closed door or letterbox. Check the notice of enforcement (usually gives 7 clear days before visits). Bailiffs can usually only attend between 6am–9pm and cannot force entry for most consumer debts (like council tax, PCNs, credit) — force is generally limited to certain debts (e.g., criminal fines/HMRC) or specific court permission. Essentials and tools of trade up to £1,350 are exempt. Use Breathing Space to pause most enforcement while you set up a plan.
Before a visit, you should get a notice of enforcement giving you time (usually 7 clear days) to contact the enforcement company, pay, or agree an affordable plan. Use this time to request contact in writing, build a budget, or consider Breathing Space to pause action.
Next: Fees explained • Vehicles • Council Tax
In most cases, visits are limited to 6am–9pm (or your business hours if different). Sunday and bank holiday visits are rare and must still be reasonable. You usually do not have to let them in; keep doors locked.
For most consumer debts (e.g., council tax, PCNs, credit accounts), bailiffs cannot force entry. Reasonable force is generally limited to specific debts (e.g., certain criminal fines or HMRC taxes) or where a court gives permission. If in doubt, speak through the door and ask for ID, the warrant/writ details, and the company name.
Everyone in the household should know not to let an enforcement agent in. If they have already been inside and listed goods, keep everything locked and request written communication only.
Read next: Exempt goods • Controlled Goods Agreement
Bailiffs can list and remove non-essential, non-exempt goods. They can’t take essential household items (like cookers or fridges), someone else’s belongings you can prove, or tools of the trade up to £1,350. Children’s items and disability aids are protected. Prove third-party ownership with receipts or statements.
Vehicles are a common target, including when you’re not home. Blue Badge vehicles or those essential for disability may be protected. Vehicles on hire purchase/PCP/conditional sale are typically not fully yours until the last payment — that can limit seizure, though clamping while checks are made is possible in some scenarios. Always send finance proof quickly.
Helpful: Affordable plans • If you’re vulnerable
If an agent gains peaceful entry or lists goods outside, they may ask you to sign a Controlled Goods Agreement. This lists items “under control” while you make agreed payments. If you default, they may return to remove and sell those goods.
Next: Fees & stages • Wording to use
Most cases follow statutory stages with fixed fees: Compliance £75 (when the notice is issued), Enforcement £235 when a visit happens (plus 7.5% of the balance over £1,500), and Sale £110 if goods are removed (plus 7.5% over £1,500). Extra costs (e.g., storage/locksmith) can be added in some cases. If multiple debts are pursued together, the compliance fee may be charged per debt, but visit fees should not be duplicated for the same attendance.
Compare solutions: IVA vs DMP vs DRO
Council tax is a priority debt with strong enforcement powers once a liability order is made. Act quickly — repayment plans and reliefs may still be agreed, or use Breathing Space if appropriate.
Unpaid PCNs escalate to enforcement after statutory notices. Keep correspondence, check deadlines, and seek help immediately once an enforcement letter arrives.
These can carry tougher powers in some circumstances. If vulnerable or unable to pay, contact the fines office and your adviser urgently.
Mental/physical health issues, pregnancy, recent bereavement, disability, or being a single parent can mean extra care is required. Notify the enforcement firm in writing, ask for channel limits (e.g., writing only), and request pauses while you get advice. If only under-16s or vulnerable people are present, agents should not proceed.
Support: Breathing Space • DRO • IVA
“Please contact me in writing only. I’m seeking debt advice and keeping a full record. I withdraw consent to phone calls and doorstep discussions.”
“I’m assessing my budget and options (including Breathing Space). Please hold action and confirm fees, balances and a reference so we can agree an affordable plan.”
“I consider myself vulnerable due to [brief reason]. Please apply reasonable adjustments, restrict contact to writing and liaise with my adviser (details enclosed).”
Next steps: Affordable Repayment Plans • Breathing Space
See also: Stop Debt Collectors • Make an affordable offer
We’ll help you switch to written-only contact, use Breathing Space if appropriate, and map a sustainable plan (DMP/IVA/DRO) that reduces or stops enforcement for included debts.
Start Your Free CheckTypically between 6am and 9pm, or your business hours if different. Outside those hours usually needs special circumstances.
For most consumer debts (council tax, PCNs, credit), no. Force is generally limited to certain debts (e.g., criminal fines/HMRC) or specific court permission.
Usually after 7 clear days from the notice. Use this window to set a plan or pause action.
Essentials for basic domestic needs, tools of the trade up to £1,350, children’s items, disability aids, and provable third-party belongings.
HP/PCP vehicles are usually not fully yours until the last payment, which can limit seizure. Provide finance proof quickly; clamping while checks are made can occur in some cases.
£75 Compliance (notice stage), £235 Enforcement (visit) + 7.5% over £1,500, and £110 Sale + 7.5% over £1,500. Extra costs may apply (e.g., storage/locksmith).
It pauses most enforcement for qualifying debts while you get advice and set up a plan. Keep priority bills paid and engage with your adviser.
No. You can speak through the door and request written-only contact. Ask for ID and case details in writing.
Tell them in writing and request reasonable adjustments (channel limits, pauses, liaison with your adviser). If only under-16s or vulnerable people are present, they should not proceed.
Use the 7-day window to agree a plan, consider Breathing Space, or set up a suitable solution (DMP/IVA/DRO).
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