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Stop The Bailiff
How it works What we help with Your rights Bailiff fees FAQs Get help now
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… Trusted by thousands across the UK

Worried about bailiffs?
You have options.

Take a breath. Whatever stage you're at, there are real steps that can stop bailiff action โ€” and we'll help you take them today.

  • 100% confidential
  • No upfront fees
  • No judgement, ever

Get help in under 2 minutes

Answer a few simple questions. No documents needed to start.

  • Tell us what's happeningLetter, visit, or worried it's coming
  • We match you to an expertA trusted advisor who knows your situation
  • You get a clear planKnow your rights and your next move
Start now โ€” it's free

Your details are safe and never shared without your say-so

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4.8 / 5 ratingFrom 1,200+ reviews
Fast responseWe aim to call within minutes
You're not alone

If a bailiff has been in touch, take a breath

You are not alone โ€” far from it. Councils in England & Wales passed over 2.7 million debts to bailiffs in a single year โ€” that's more than 7,000 every single day, usually triggered by something outside someone's control โ€” a job loss, an illness, a bereavement. The people who get through it are simply the ones who reach out early. Let's get you the right help, fast.

1.4M
people a year face bailiffs over council tax alone โ€” you are far from the only one.
7 days
clear notice a bailiff must give before visiting. There is almost always time to act.
Capped
bailiff fees are fixed by law. Knowing the rules stops you being overcharged.
Simple & supportive

How we help you stop the bailiffs

Three calm steps. No long forms, no jargon, no pressure.

Tell us your situation

Answer a few quick questions about what's happening and who's chasing you. It takes about two minutes.

We match you to an expert

We connect you with a trusted debt advice affiliate who handles cases just like yours every single day.

Get a clear, kind plan

They explain your rights and options in plain English and help you take the next step to stop the action.

Whatever the debt

The kinds of bailiff action we help with

Different debts, different rules โ€” and different ways to push back. We help with all of these.

Council tax arrears

The most common reason bailiffs are sent. There are real ways to stop or pause enforcement.

Parking & PCN fines

Unpaid penalty charges passed to enforcement. Often challengeable or repayable in instalments.

HMRC & tax debts

Income tax, VAT or self-assessment. Time-to-pay arrangements may be available to you.

County Court (CCJ)

Judgments enforced by High Court or county court bailiffs. There may be ways to challenge or set aside.

Rent & housing arrears

Falling behind on rent is frightening. Getting advice early protects your home and your peace of mind.

Energy & utility debts

Gas, electric and water arrears. Support and breathing space schemes may apply to your case.

Knowledge is power

Know your rights at the door

Bailiffs have far less power than most people think. Under the Taking Control of Goods Act 2013, here's where you stand.

What you CAN do

  • Refuse them entryYou do not have to open your door or let a bailiff in for most debts.
  • Ask for ID and the debt detailsThey must prove who they are and exactly what you allegedly owe.
  • Offer a realistic payment planYou can propose affordable instalments instead of paying in full.
  • Be treated fairly if vulnerableIllness, disability or mental health must be taken into account.

What they CAN'T do

  • Force their way inFor most debts they cannot break in or push past you on a first visit.
  • Visit at unsociable hoursVisits must normally be between 6am and 9pm.
  • Take essential or exempt goodsBasic household items and work tools up to ยฃ1,350 are protected.
  • Charge made-up feesFees are set by law โ€” anything beyond them can be challenged.
No nasty surprises

What a bailiff can charge you — fixed by law

๐Ÿ‘‰ These are the fees a bailiff is legally allowed to charge — not fees we charge. Our help is completely free.

A bailiff can only charge the set fees for each stage of enforcement — nothing more. If you're being asked for extra, that's a red flag, and it's exactly the kind of thing an advisor can challenge on your behalf.

Acting at the compliance stage — before a visit ever happens — is the cheapest and least stressful way to deal with it.

Check what I should be paying

The bailiff's legal fees

1
Compliance stageA letter is sent โ€” before any visit
ยฃ75
2
Enforcement stageThe bailiff visits your property
ยฃ235
3
Sale stageGoods are removed and prepared for sale
ยฃ110

Figures based on the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014. Larger debts may add a percentage fee. An advisor will confirm the exact figures for your case.

Real relief

You'll feel lighter after one conversation

People come to us at their lowest. Here's what they say afterwards.

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

โ€œI'd been ignoring the letters because I was terrified. Within a day someone had explained everything and the visits stopped. I finally slept.โ€

SMSarah M.Council tax ยท Leeds
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

โ€œNo judgement at all. They treated me like a person, not a number, and sorted an affordable plan I could actually keep to.โ€

DTDavid T.CCJ ยท Birmingham
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

โ€œI didn't know bailiffs couldn't just barge in. Knowing my rights changed everything. I only wish I'd asked for help sooner.โ€

AKAisha K.Parking fines ยท London
Honest answers

Your questions, answered

Is this really free and confidential?

Getting in touch and talking through your options costs you nothing, and everything you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence. We'll never share your details without your permission. With your consent, we may pass you to one of our trusted affiliates for further help or advice.

Can bailiffs really force their way into my home?

For most debts โ€” including council tax, parking fines and CCJs โ€” bailiffs cannot force entry on a first visit. They usually need to be let in voluntarily. There are limited exceptions (such as some criminal fines or unpaid tax where entry has already been gained). An advisor can tell you exactly where you stand.

A bailiff is coming soon โ€” is it too late?

Almost never. Bailiffs must give at least seven clear days' notice before visiting, and even after that there are options โ€” from payment arrangements to challenging the debt or fees. The sooner you act, the more choices you have, so reach out today.

Will this affect my credit score?

Simply getting advice has no impact on your credit at all. Some debt solutions can affect your credit file, but a good advisor will always explain the pros and cons of every option before you decide anything. Nothing happens without your agreement.

Who will I actually be speaking to?

We connect you with experienced debt advisors from our trusted affiliate network who deal with bailiff cases every day. You'll get a real person who listens, explains your rights and helps you choose the right path โ€” with no pressure.

I feel embarrassed asking for help.

Please don't be. Debt happens to good, hard-working people for all sorts of reasons โ€” illness, job loss, relationship breakdown, the cost of living. Three in four people facing bailiffs are dealing with their mental health too. There's no shame in it, and there's no judgement here. Reaching out is the brave, smart thing to do.

You don't have to face this alone

Two minutes now could be the moment everything starts to get easier. Free, confidential, and without a shred of judgement.