Falling into debt often isn't the result of careless spending.

Since the financial crisis of 2007/08 and the government's austerity policies more and more people have been falling into debt through no fault of their own.

Regardless of blame, people can find themselves with burly men from debt recovery agencies at their doors.

Councillors are one of the biggest creditors in the UK with residents falling behind on their council tax and business rates.

Local authorities in England and Wales passed on 2.3 million debts to recovery agencies in 2016/17, the Money Advice Trust said .

And councils sent out bailiffs two millions times last year, the trust reported.

For this reason it's important to know the law on what bailiffs can and can't do if they come to your home.

Bailiffs at work on Channel 5's 'Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!

Instructed by creditors (people allegedly owed the money) bailiffs carry out enforcement work to retrieve debts.

You can ask for proof of a bailiff’s identity and authorisation even if they’ve visited before - for example, ask them to put it through the letterbox or show it at the window.

All bailiffs must have a certificate unless they’re exempt or they’re with someone who does have a certificate.

When and why would a bailiff be called?

According to the Government website , a bailiff may visit your home if you don’t pay your debts - such as Council Tax bills, parking fines, court fines and county court or family court judgments.

This will happen if you ignore letters saying that bailiffs will be used.

A bailiff may also visit your home for other reasons, for example to serve court documents or give notices and summons.

There are different kinds of bailiffs, known as:

  • ‘certificated enforcement agents’
  • ‘high court enforcement officers’
  • ‘county court and family court bailiffs’
  • ‘civilian enforcement officers’

How much notice must bailiffs give before visiting your home?

Bailiffs must usually give you at least seven days notice of their first visit.

If you think a bailiff might visit you to collect debts, you can stop this by paying the money you owe. Get advice about how to pay your debt from whoever you owe money to as soon as possible.

Do I have to open my door?

Bailiffs from Channel 5 Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!

You usually don’t have to open your door to a bailiff or let them in.

Bailiffs can’t enter your home:

  • by force, for example by pushing past you
  • if only children under 16 or vulnerable people (with disabilities, for example) are present
  • between 9pm and 6am
  • through anything except the door

Bailiffs are allowed to force their way into your home to collect unpaid criminal fines, Income Tax or Stamp Duty, but only as a last resort.

What if I don't let them in?

If you don’t let a bailiff in or agree to pay them:

  • they could take things from outside your home, for example your car
  • you could end up owing even more money

If you do let a bailiff in but don’t pay them they may take some of your belongings. They could sell the items to pay debts and cover their fees.

What bailiffs can and can’t take

If you let a bailiff into your home, they may take some of your belongings to sell.

Bailiffs can take luxury items, for example a TV or games console.

They can’t take:

  • things you need, such as your clothes, cooker or fridge
  • work tools and equipment which together are worth less than £1,350
  • someone else’s belongings, such as your partner’s computer

You’ll have to prove that someone else’s goods don’t belong to you.

Paying a bailiff

You can pay the bailiff on the doorstep - you don’t have to let them into your home.

Make sure you get a receipt to prove you’ve paid.

If you can’t pay all the money right away, speak to the bailiff about how you could pay the money back.

Offer to pay what you can afford in weekly or monthly payments.

The bailiff doesn’t have to accept your offer.

Help or advice

You can get free help or advice on dealing with bailiffs from: