Bailiffs can only gain entry to your property by peaceful means at your consent. Unless they have been issued with a warrant to force entry, you can refuse entry to your property.
If you refuse entry, bailiffs may return and attempt to gain peaceful rights to entry.
In refusing entry, a number of different steps will be taken, depending on the type of debt you owe.
What happens if I refuse entry?
In the case of County Court Judgements and debt collection for unpaid taxes, warrants will be returned to the courts and revenue offices, respectively. The courts will decide whether it is financially appropriate to again pursue your debt with bailiffs.
The revenues offices can take a number of debt recovery actions, these are:
- Further court proceedings or possible detention or arrest
- Means-tested repayment evaluation,
- Instructing your employer to participate in recovery of your debt by deducting payments from your wages.
Is advice available to me about refusing entry?
If you would like to find out more information about refusing entry, visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website.