may not be suitable in all circumstances, our advice is completely free but should you choose a solution with us fees may apply. Advice Centre Group work in contemplation of a IVA, should we find another solution better suited we will refer you to our third party providers
Advice And Support Also Available At Money Helper
Bailiffs (enforcement agents) want the whole balance because it closes the case fast. But in England and Wales, you only have to pay what you can reasonably afford. Do not agree to payments that would leave you short for rent, food, or energy.
Bailiff debt can be stressful and overwhelming, but acting quickly can stop visits and further enforcement. If you’ve received a letter, text, or visit from bailiffs about your debt, we can help you take control fast.
We Can Help You:
You are not required to open the door. Speak through the door or by phone.
Before paying, ask for:
The Notice of Enforcement (sent at least 7 clear days before a visit)
An itemised list of the debt and fees
The creditor’s name and contact details
Make a quick budget. List your income, take off your essential bills (rent, food, energy, travel). The money left is the maximum you can offer.
Email both the bailiff and the creditor with your budget and a clear instalment amount. Keep copies of everything.
Contact Advice Centre Group to see your options
Ask a debt adviser about Breathing Space. It can pause most enforcement and interest for 60 days while you sort a plan.
Do
Keep your door locked; talk through it.
Ask for proof of the debt and fees.
Offer only what you can afford.
Put offers in writing and keep copies.
Get advice early.
Don’t
Hand over money you need for essentials.
Sign a Controlled Goods Agreement (CGA) unless the plan is affordable.
Ignore letters — fees can rise fast.
Assume you must pay in full.
What Can Bailiffs Do – CLICK HERE
Visit between 6am–9pm
List non-essential items (like TVs) or vehicles not needed for work
Ask you to sign a Controlled Goods Agreement
They can’t
Force entry for most household debts (council tax, credit cards, parking fines)
Take essentials: beds, cooker, fridge, clothing, tools of the trade
Harass or threaten you
Even if a bailiff can’t take your belongings, the debt still exists. Ignoring letters or visits often makes things worse, as extra charges and fees may be added. Over time, this increases the amount you owe.
The best approach is to face the issue head-on. By seeking advice early, you can explore solutions that stop bailiff action and deal with your debt in a way that’s manageable.
See Our Page CLICK HERE on what bailiffs can and cant take. You have rights follow our golden rules to start with to ensure you maximise these rights
If you’re in this position, a few simple steps can help:
Keep your doors locked and don’t let bailiffs in unless they have the legal right.
Ask to see their ID and paperwork before speaking to them.
Keep records of any letters or visits.
Speak With Us As Soon As Possible – CLICK HERE TO START TAKING BACK CONTROL
We help people across the UK who are facing action from Bailiff Debt If you’ve received a letter, phone call, or home visit from Bailiffs and can’t afford to pay, you may be able to stop bailiff action now with a government backed scheme
If any of these apply to you, you may be able to write off upto 75% of what you owe
If any of this sounds familiar, act now to protect yourself and your income
If you don’t own anything a bailiff can legally take, they cannot strip your home of basic essentials. But that doesn’t mean the matter ends there. Creditors can still pursue the debt through the courts, your wages, benefits, or bank account.
Rather than waiting for this to happen, speaking to Advice Centre Group puts you back in control. You may have more options than you think, and the right solution could prevent bailiffs from returning altogether.
If you’re searching “what can you do if bailiff only want full payment”, you are not powerless. We can help you:
Offer affordable instalments
Use Breathing Space if needed
Explore debt solutions that stop bailiff pressure
Free, confidential advice. No judgement.
By submitting the above contact form you agree to Our Privacy-Policy
At The Advice Centre We Have 3 Rules When It Comes To Bailiff Debts, These Essential Steps Help In Stopping Bailiff Action Going Any Further And Also Protect You.
No Matter How Much The Bailiff Pushes You To Sign Something DO NOT SIGN anything till you speak to us
Do Not Feel Pressured To Allow The Bailiff In Your Home, You Are Under No Obligation To Let Them In
We Will Stop The Bailiffs And Help You With The Debts, The Quicker You Contact Or Call Us The Quicker We Can Help
If this sounds like you - dont wait. We'll help you take back control without judgement
You don’t always have to pay in full — ask for proof, offer affordable instalments in writing, and use Breathing Space if you need time.
Dealing With Bailiffs Can Be Daunting, We Specialise In Helping You Stop Bailiffs Taking Goods. If A Bailiff Visits And You Genuinely Have Nothing for Them To Take They Cannot Removed Household Essential Goods, However, What Is More Likely Is That They Will Inofmr The Creditor That There Are No Assets,
What This Then Means Is That The Creditor Will Most Probably Look At Other Ways To Recover There Money
Click Here To See What Else They Can Do
Bailiffs Do Have Options on what They Can Take,
However, There are also items hey cannot.
See Below On Our Post How This Works And What We Can Do To Help -:
Click Here To See What Else They Can Do
No, not without warning. A bailiff must send you a Notice of Enforcement giving at least 7 days’ notice before they can visit. If you haven’t received this letter, they can’t turn up legally.
📞 Act now – if you’ve received a letter, time is limited to stop further action.
On a first visit, bailiffs can’t force entry. They can only:
Enter through an unlocked door
Ask to come in — but you don’t have to let them in
They are not allowed to:
Push past you
Climb in through windows
Break in (unless it’s for criminal fines and only under strict rules)
✅ Not sure what they can take? Speak to our team today to protect your home.
Yes — but you must act quickly. Options include:
Arranging a repayment plan directly
Entering a legally binding solutions like what We can Do for you
Proving that you’re vulnerable (due to illness, disability, or personal circumstances)
Stop Bailiffs Now CLICK HERE
Ignoring them can make things worse. If you don’t act:
You could face extra charges (up to £400+ in fees)
They may return with the right to seize belongings
Enforcement could escalate further
⏳ Don’t delay – contact us today before fees increase.
Bailiffs can only take certain goods — and only if:
You let them in (or they gain legal access)
The items are not classed as essential (like tools for work or medical equipment)
If your car is on finance, used for work, or required for health reasons, it’s usually protected — but you’ll need to act fast.
The One Thing You Should Not Do Is Ignore Bailiffs, Contact us And We Will Help To Get Them Stopped
🚗 Worried about losing your car? We’ll show you how to protect it legally.
No, there are limits on what bailiffs can remove. We can explain your rights and protect essential items while we address your bailiff debt. Click Here To See How
Dealing with bailiffs can feel intimidating. For many people, the thought of someone knocking on the door to collect debts brings a mix of stress and confusion. But the reality is that bailiffs must follow strict legal rules about what they can and cannot do.
See One Of Our Most Recent Blogs Here Exactly On This Subject – CLICK HERE
Yes, but not if:
The car is needed for work,
You have a Blue Badge or mobility need, or
The car is on finance and not legally yours.
If you are vulnerable (serious illness, disability, pregnancy, single parent, mental health issues), bailiffs must treat you fairly. You can ask for the case to be paused or sent back to the creditor.
For most debts (like council tax, credit cards, parking fines), they cannot force entry. They can only come in peacefully through an unlocked door or if you invite them.
We only provide advice after completing or receiving an initial fact find where the individual(s) concerned meet the criteria for one of our insolvency solutions, therefore, all advice is given in reasonable contemplation of an insolvency appointment
Exceptional Customer Service is what you deserve, At The Advice Centre we specialise in helping ensure that your Bailiff Debt is dealt with, So that you never hear from the Bailiff again
Written by Steven, Financial Services Adviser with 22 years’ experience. Fact checked by Adam Southard, Insolvency Practitioner (IPA regulated).
Published -: 08/09/2025
Call us – 0161 660 6270
Email us – Enquiries@advicecentregroup.co.uk
You can visit the Money Helper website to find out more about managing your money and to get free advice, they are an independent service set up to help people manage their money
Advice Centre Group Ltd registered in England and Wales (14322979). Registered office: Second Floor A, Cheadle Place, Cheadle, Cheshire, England, SK8 2JX. Adam Southard is authorised as a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner in the United Kingdom by the Insolvency Practitioners Association
We only provide advice after completing or receiving an initial fact find where the individual(s) concerned meet the criteria for one of our insolvency solutions, therefore, all advice is given in reasonable contemplation of an insolvency appointment.
Adam Southard is licensed to act as an Insolvency Practitioner in the UK by the Insolvency Practitioners Association. Office Holder No. 11930
Insolvency Practitioner Directory- Insolvency Practitioner Details (bis.gov.uk) test
We provide solutions to individuals throughout the UK, specialising in Individual Voluntary Arrangements that comply with the IVA protocol
Fees are involved with an IVA Please see attached for an explanation IVA FEES
We only provide advice after completing or receiving an initial fact find where the individual(s) concerned meet the criteria for one of our insolvency solutions, therefore, all advice is given in reasonable contemplation of an insolvency appointment