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Debts to bailiffs:-
If you have reasons to complain about the bailiffs, it's best to get expert help. Don't be ashamed to get help about bailiffs – it's a very common problem. Citizens Advice Bureaux give free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to help you solve problems. Basingstoke Citizens Advice Bureau will help you to negotiate with the bailiffs and also to make a complaint. If we do hear of unfair practices we will also campaign to get these changed.
Bailiffs are commonly used if you have council tax arrears or if you have a court judgment against you. They can also be used for unpaid fines, child support arrears, rent arrears, income tax arrears and parking penalties (fines) .The bailiffs almost always need a court order to take your goods away.
If you've received notice that the bailiffs are going to come and take your goods away, you should get advice urgently. Do not ignore the notice. The bailiffs charge fees to come to your property and your debt will just get bigger if you ignore them.
In many cases, you don't have to let the bailiffs in and they can't force their way into your property. However, they are allowed into your property without your permission if they can enter without breaking in. This is called 'gaining peaceful entry' and includes getting in through an unlocked door or open window.
If the bailiffs do get in, you may have to sign a 'walking possession agreement'. This means that they make a list of the goods which they'll take away if you don't pay within the time set out in the agreement or if you miss an instalment. You usually have to pay a daily fee and you can't remove the goods from the premises. Signing a walking possession agreement might give you a breathing space to get the money together to pay the debt, but it does mean that the bailiffs could break in to take your goods away if you don't keep to the agreement.
Local authorities collecting council tax often have codes of practice instructing the bailiffs to accept very small repayments if you're on Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance.
There are rules and policies about how bailiffs should behave. For example, they should treat you fairly. They are not allowed to threaten you or pretend to have more legal powers than they really have. They must take special care when dealing with people who are considered vulnerable, for example if you're elderly, disabled, seriously ill or find it difficult to speak, understand or read English