What goods can an Enforcement Agent (Bailiff) take?

The Enforcement Agent (Bailiff) can only take goods that belong to the defendant or are jointly owned. For example, an Enforcement Agent (Bailiff) cannot take goods which belong to the defendant's partner. (Partner is someone the defendant lives with as if they were married).

Any goods which the Enforcement Agent (Bailiff) takes must be likely to fetch money at auction. Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) will not remove goods if they think they will not fetch enough to pay something towards the warrant after the cost of removing and selling them at auction have been paid for.

Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) cannot take:

• Items which the defendant needs for his job or business, such as tradesman’s tools or books
• Essential household items which the defendant and his family need such as clothing or bedding
• Items which are leased, rented or are on hire purchase agreements
• Goods which may have already been taken control of by Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) acting under another warrant

Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) also cannot take:

• Cars which are bought on hire purchase
• Equipment which does not belong to a business for example, office furniture, machinery and vehicles may be leased

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