Can Bailiffs Take Pets? Here’s The Rules

Are you worried about a bailiff visiting your home? Scared your things might be taken away? You’re not alone. Over 170,000 people use our website each month to get information about their debt problems. In this article, we will look at:

•  What bailiffs are and what they can do.
•  What happens when a bailiff visits your home.
•  How to deal with a bailiff visit.
•  What to do if you can’t pay your debts.
•  How to keep your pets safe from bailiffs.

Our team understands how scary it can be when bailiffs come knocking. Some of us have been in the same boat. We will share our knowledge and experiences to help you deal with this tough situation. So, let’s find out whether bailiffs can take pets and what can you do to protect your home and belongings.

Here’s some useful information to better understand your options.

Can high court enforcement officers take pets?

High court enforcement officers can lawfully seize items that belong to you when the debt they’re enforcing is yours.

For example, they could take items you own. They can also take items you own jointly with another person.

This could include the following:

• Vehicles
• Jewellery
• Electrical items

But they can’t take pets!

Wondering if bailiffs or HCEOs can take your animals is a common question.

But no matter what you have seen or heard, bailiffs can’t take your pets.

Can bailiffs take pets?

Bailiffs must follow strict rules when debt collecting even if there’s a court order for you to pay an outstanding debt.

For example, an enforcement agent can’t seize or take items that belong to you if they’re collecting someone else’s debt.

Nor can they take items that belong to your child and vice versa.

Among the possessions an enforcement agent can’t touch when they’re collecting a debt you owe includes:

• Pets
• Guide dogs

Other items that are out of bounds to bailiffs when they’re collecting debts include:

• Vehicles, computers, and tools needed for work purposes or for study purposes to the total value of £1,350
• Mobility vehicles or vehicles that display a valid Blue Badge
• Goods purchased on HP
• Items needed so you can meet your basic domestic needs
• Items that are fitted or attached permanently to your home

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Can bailiffs force entry after taking control of goods through a window?

No. As mentioned, bailiffs must make a peaceable entry before they can force their way into your home.

In short, if they take control of goods through the window, they can’t then force their way into the property to seize the items.

What should you do about a bailiff visit?

If you’ve received a ‘notice of enforcement’, you should prepare yourself for a bailiff’s visit.

That said, you shouldn’t let them into your home when they arrive!

There have been changes to the rules that apply to bailiffs which I’ve listed below:

• An enforcement agent doesn’t have to enter your home to ‘take control of goods’
• A bailiff can list any goods they can see through the window
• You could opt to close the blinds and curtains before a visit from bailiffs
• You may want to move high-value items so they are hidden out of sight
• When bailiffs list any goods they see through a window, it’s up to you whether you sign a ‘controlled goods agreement’.

What happens when you don’t sign the controlled goods agreement?

A bailiff can’t force their way into your home when you don’t agree to sign a controlled goods agreement.

Moreover, enforcement agents can’t take any items unless you let them into your home.

Plus, you can file a complaint against bailiffs if they attempt to take control of goods without entering your property!

What can bailiffs do if I’m vulnerable?

Before you start addressing the notice of enforcement, you should know that if you: 

• Are disabled in any way or extremely ill
• Suffer from any kind of mental illness 
• Have children or are pregnant 
• Are under the age of 18 or over the age of 65
• Are dealing with a stressful situation, such as the death of a loved one or unemployment 
• Don’t speak English very well 

You are considered a vulnerable person. This means that any bailiffs will have to follow some additional rules to ensure their visit is as easy on you as possible.

Furthermore, if any of these conditions apply to you, you can get more time to deal with the notice of enforcement. You can also get more time if the notice of enforcement was not sent to you properly by the bailiff.  

If you fall into any of the above categories, you need to either tell the bailiffs yourself or get a relative or carer to do it for you. You can then contact the bailiff by phone or by post. I have a free letter template that you can use to explain your situation.

When you speak to the bailiffs, you need to:

• Tell them that you’re vulnerable
• Explain why you would find dealing with bailiffs more difficult than other people in the same situation
• Ask them to stop any visits in the future because it will cause harm and distress to you
• Tell them if a letter or a visit could make your situation worse – this could be the case if you have a mental health problem or a heart condition, for example.

Make a note of what you agree with the bailiffs about future contact. This will make it easier to argue with them if they don’t stick to this new agreement, or if you need to make a complaint.

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When can bailiffs force entry into your home?

Enforcement agents can force entry into your home to collect the following:

• Tax or Stamp duty
• Unpaid criminal fines

That said, bailiffs are only supposed to force their way into properties as a last resort.

But it’s worth noting they can seize items from outside your home which includes vehicles!

Also, bailiffs can’t force entry for a council tax debt!

Can a bailiff take control of the goods agreement without you?

No. You have to sign the control of goods agreement and so does the bailiff. It means that if they made the list of goods through a window, an enforcement agent can’t then post it through your letterbox.

In short, you must be there when the control of goods agreement is put in place.

How do you complain about bailiffs?

First, check who is the claimant. This is the ‘creditor’ and file a complaint with them. Next, send a copy of the complaint letter to the bailiff.

I’ve listed how to complain to various creditors you could owe money to in the table below:

How do I avoid bailiffs?

If you are worried about not being able to pay your debts, you might benefit from a debt solution. Some debt solutions will prevent your creditors from taking legal action against you – this will mean that there is no threat of bailiff involvement.

There are several different debt solutions available in the UK, so I recommend speaking to a debt charity as soon as possible. Their advisors will be able to look at your finances in detail and help you work out which debt solution will work best for you.

I have linked a few charities that offer these advisory services for free below.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A DMP is an informal debt solution that lets you pay off your debts via a single monthly payment.

Because it is informal, it is not legally binding so you are not tied into a DMP for a minimum number of payments.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal agreement between you and your creditors. You agree to pay a monthly sum that is distributed amongst your debts, and your creditors agree not to contact you during your IVA.

IVAs typically last for 5 or 6 years, and any outstanding debt is wiped off when it ends.

Keep in mind that IVAs are not suitable for everyone. You need to owe several thousand pounds to more than one creditor to be eligible. You also need to demonstrate that you have some disposable income every month.

Trust Deed

IVAs are not available in Scotland. Instead, you will need to opt for a Trust Deed.

Trust Deeds work in the same way as an IVA – you pay an agreed sum each month that is shared amongst your creditors, they can’t contact you, and any leftover debt at the end of your Trust Deed term is written off.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO is a good option for those facing financial hardship with no assets and little income.

For 12 months, you make no payments, but your creditors freeze your interest and don’t contact you.

If your finances haven’t improved during this year, you may be able to write off your unsecured debts.

Bankruptcy

If you have debts but no realistic possibility of ever paying them off, you may need to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy has an unfair stigma attached to it as it may be your only way of getting a financial fresh start. That said, it is a serious financial situation that should not be taken lightly.

Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy.

If you have little income and no valuable assets, you may be able to apply for a minimal asset process bankruptcy (MAP). A MAP is a quicker, cheaper, and more straightforward version of sequestration, so worth considering.

Can bailiffs take pets UK? RECAP

Bailiffs can definitely not take your pets. Any family pets are out of bounds as are many other items commonly found in a home. 

Knowing your rights and what bailiffs can and cannot take prepares you for a visit so the experience is less stressful. In short, an enforcement agent must respect the rules and how to act when they contact and visit you over an unpaid debt.