Can Debt Collectors Come to Your House in the UK?
What collectors can and can’t do at the door, how this differs from bailiffs, and steps to stop visits quickly and safely.
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Latest articles on DMPs, IVAs, DROs, dealing with collectors & bailiffs, and protecting essentials first.
✅ Start Free CheckWelcome to the Fresh Start Debt Help Blog, your go-to resource for practical guidance, news and updates about debt solutions, IVAs, managing creditors, and more. Whether you're looking to stop bailiffs, manage your repayments or understand your rights — we've got you covered.
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Know Your Rights
What collectors can and can’t do at the door, how this differs from bailiffs, and steps to stop visits quickly and safely.
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Costs & Fees
Exact fee stages (£75 / £235 / £110) with examples, when extra percentages apply, and how to avoid unnecessary costs.
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Bailiff Action
Got a Notice of Enforcement? Learn the 7-day deadline, what counts as entry, bailiff visit rules, and how to delay or stop enforcement fast using Breathing Space or affordable plans.
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Council Tax
Behind on council tax? Learn each step from reminder to liability order, bailiff visits and attachment of earnings — plus Breathing Space and affordable plan options.
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Energy Bills
Behind on gas or electricity? Learn your rights, how smart/prepay deductions work, grants & hardship funds, and how to move to one affordable plan.
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Tax & HMRC
Got a text about HMRC from Advantis? Learn safe checks to confirm it’s genuine, how to report phishing, and how Time to Pay works if you can’t afford the full amount.
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Court Action
Learn what a CCJ is, when to apply to set aside, how payment plans work, and how long it stays on your credit file with simple steps to repair your score.
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Know Your Rights
Check if an old debt is too late to enforce, what resets the clock, and the key exceptions (CCJs, council tax, mortgage shortfalls, HMRC) with a free template letter.
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Credit & Loans
Exact steps to cancel Continuous Payment Authorities with your bank, ask lenders to freeze interest, and roll debts into one affordable plan — includes copy-paste letters and a phone script.
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IVA & Insolvency
New IVA rules for 2025: £10,000 equity threshold, no forced remortgage, and clearer 5–6 year terms. Full breakdown of how the updated IVA Protocol protects homeowners and what it means for you.
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Compare Solutions
Side-by-side comparison of IVA, DMP and bankruptcy in 2025 — cost, length, impact on your home and credit file, and when each option fits best. Includes guidance for homeowners, tenants and people on low incomes.
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IVA & Insolvency
Worried about missed IVA payments or falling into IVA arrears? Learn what really happens if you can’t pay, how the 2025 IVA Protocol 20% reduction and payment breaks work, and when it might be safer to switch to another solution.
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IVA & Insolvency
Use this free IVA calculator to estimate your monthly IVA payment, term length and potential 2025 debt write-off. Includes examples, guidance for homeowners and an instant affordability checker.
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Council Tax
Clear 2025 guide to council tax bailiffs: Notice of Enforcement deadlines, £75/£235/£110 fee stages, what bailiffs can and can’t do, and practical steps to stop visits with realistic payment plans and Breathing Space.
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Bailiffs & Enforcement
Worried a bailiff will break in? This 2025 guide explains when enforcement agents can and can’t force entry, peaceful entry rules, visiting hours, controlled goods agreements, vehicles, vulnerable households and urgent steps if they’re already at your door.
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Bailiffs & Enforcement
Bailiff pushing you to sign a Controlled Goods Agreement? This 2025 guide explains what a CGA really means, virtual/non-entry CGAs, risks of signing, what happens if you refuse or break it, how cars are affected, and safer options like IVA, DMP and Breathing Space.
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Bailiffs & Enforcement
Received a Notice of Enforcement letter? This 2025 guide explains the 7-day deadline, what bailiffs can and can’t do, how fees like the £75 and £235 charges work, and practical ways to stop visits with one affordable payment plan.
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Bailiffs & Enforcement
Facing a DVLA enforcement letter, clamp or bailiff over unpaid car tax? This 2025 guide explains how DVLA enforcement works, when bailiffs can get involved, what they can take and how to stop action with one affordable plan.
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Christmas Debt Help
Overspent this Christmas on cards, Klarna or bills? This calm UK guide explains what to pay first, how bailiffs and councils work over Christmas, and ways to roll your debts into one affordable monthly payment for 2025.
Read articleUnderstand how each route works, who qualifies and what to expect day to day: Debt Management Plans, IVAs, DROs, and IVA vs DMP vs Bankruptcy.
Protect the roof, heat and council tax first: Council Tax, Energy & Utilities, Rent Arrears, Mortgage Arrears.
Know your rights and next steps: What is debt collection?, Lowell, Moorcroft, Link Financial, Bristow & Sutor, Excel Civil Enforcement, Newlyn.
Targeted help for the debts we see most: Credit Cards, Loans, Catalogue, Overdrafts, Payday Loans, Store Cards.
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