Bailiffs and Debt Recovery

As a last resort a court can send a bailiff in to seize a debtor's possessions.

Generally Bailiffs can’t break into your home. Instead they have to gain peaceful entry. But they can still climb over a fence or gate, get in through an unlocked door or climb in through an open window.

Bailiffs can take any possessions belonging to a debtor in order to recover a debt. But they can’t take things like tools, books, vehicles and other equipment needed to run a business and everyday items such as clothing that are necessary for a basic standard of living.