We have the power to employ bailiffs to recover any
debts you may owe us.
This could be in relation to unpaid
council
tax or business rates and they become
involved if you have failed to make an acceptable arrangement to
pay back your outstanding debt.
The bailiff will send you a letter informing you that the
debt has been passed to them for collection and will request full
payment immediately.
Failure to make the payment will result in them attending
your property in order to remove goods up to the value of the money
you owe, including any costs for the bailiff visit. Any goods
removed can then be sold at public auction.
Seizure and Sale
Bailiffs can attend your property with a removal van and
remove your belongings and goods including furniture, bikes and
cars. These items will be placed in secure storage before they are
sold.
However, if you pay your debt, including all costs, before
any goods are taken or sold, the seizure or sale will be
stopped.
A bailiff must enter your property peacefully. They are
not allowed to break down a door, but they may enter if the door is
open, or if a closed door can be opened without using force. They
are also able to enter the property through an open window and once
inside they can use necessary force on any internal locked
doors.
You can stop the bailiff taking the goods by:
- Signing a "Closed Possession" for the bailiff to remain in the
property until the debt is paid or the goods are removed to be
sold
- Signing a "Walking Possession" that enables the goods to remain
at the property and the bailiff can return at a later date to
remove the goods if the debt is not paid as agreed. The "Walking
Possession" is used when an arrangement to pay the debt over a
period of time is made, rather than the balance being paid in full
as requested.
If the bailiff does return to remove goods, you do not have to
be present at the property.
If the bailiff cannot collect the debt and there are
insufficient goods to remove, the account will be recommended for
further proceedings, which could result in an application for
insolvency of the business. |