Can Bailiffs Take Sofas? What You Need To Know

Worried about bailiffs at your door? Wondering if they can take your sofa? You’re not alone. Each month, over 170,000 people visit our site for advice on debt worries. This article is here to help you understand:

•  What bailiffs, also known as Enforcement Agents, can and cannot take from your home.
•  How many times bailiffs can visit.
•  How to keep bailiffs out of your home.
•  How dealing with bailiffs may affect your credit score.
•  Ways to manage and even write off some debt.

We know it’s hard. Our team has dealt with debt issues, so we understand your stress. We’ll explain what you can do if a bailiff takes something they shouldn’t, including your child’s belongings. We’ll also guide you on how to stop bailiffs from taking more than they should. Plus, you’ll learn about different debt solutions.

Let’s get started and tackle this together.

Will Bailiffs Take My Sofa?

Bailiffs can only take your possessions if you let them in or if you leave the doors unlocked so they can gain entry. Bailiffs can only call at your home between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm. If you let them in, or they come through an open door, you need to know what things they can’t take.

A bailiff can take a sofa, but this is often more trouble than it’s worth. For example, a sofa cannot be sold if it doesn’t have the original fire safety label. Additionally, sofas can be difficult to sell, so even if your sofa has a fire safety label, they may decide to leave it if it has no value to them.

Also, if the fire safety labels were removed from the sofa, the bailiff would not be able to resell it. As a result, it would contribute nothing towards paying off the debt. Instead, the bailiff would be responsible for the cost of disposing of the sofa, which would leave them with a slim chance of paying off the debt.

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What are the items bailiffs can take?

Bailiffs can take control of many things from your home that have value. They are usually interested in things such as entertainment equipment, vehicles, money, jewellery, white goods, and high-value goods. What’s important is you know what a bailiff can’t take. If you’re aware of your rights, you can ensure the bailiffs follow the rules and you can take steps to claim back things taken in error.

On some occasions, a bailiff can take hire purchase goods back that is owed to the creditor. For example, if you have a vehicle on lease and haven’t made payments, a bailiff can recover the vehicle on behalf of the creditor.

What Can’t a Bailiff Take?

There are many things a bailiff can’t take as part of your legal rights against bailiffs. It’s important to know what these things are as you can stop them from taking them or put in a complaint if they do. Things bailiffs can’t take include:

• Your pets including your guide dog
• Things that don’t belong to you, such as items belonging to your children or partner
• Things you need for your job or study up to a value of £1,350. These things include tools, computers, and vehicles.
• Mobility vehicle
• Vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge
• Things that are attached to your home that will cause damage if they remove. This is things such as kitchen units or built-in wardrobes. They can take these items if they aren’t attached or easily removable.
• Bailiffs can’t take things that you need to live, that cover your basic domestic needs.

Can Bailiffs Take My Child’s Belongings?

Bailiffs only have the right to take things belonging to the person named on the debt. They cannot take things that belong to the children, spouse friend or lodger.

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What Are Things for Your Basic Domestic Needs?

You must have enough things left that will cover your basic domestic needs. Your basic domestic needs are:

• Enough chairs for each person living on the property
• Table
• Fridge
• Washing Machine
• Cooker or microwave
• A phone (can be a mobile phone)
• Required medical equipment
• Things necessary for the care of a child or an elderly person

How to Keep Out the Bailiffs

The best thing to do is take every step to avoid letting the bailiffs in.

Inform everyone in the house about the impending visit and ensure they understand how important it is to keep the doors locked. Let children know not to answer the door and not to let anyone in.

What should I keep in mind when letting a bailiff in?

You should always ask for ID if a bailiff shows up at your door. You can request verification of a bailiff’s identification and authority even if they’ve already visited – for example, ask them to put it through the letterbox or show it at the window.

How to Stop Bailiffs Taking What They Shouldn’t

Bailiffs might try to take, or successfully take things that they shouldn’t. If this happens you can request the items are returned to you. You’ll need to show evidence supporting your claim. If they fail to return the goods contact the original creditor, the person who has hired the bailiffs. Inform them and show them evidence showing why the item or items should be returned to you.

I have more articles below full of advice about bailiffs and what you can and can’t do to stop bailiffs from entering your home and taking your property. Click through the articles below and speak to a debt advisor when struggling with bailiffs or debt management.

Can I Get a Debt Solution?

You might be able to get a debt solution to help you with your unsecured debts. One of these debt settlement options might be enough to stop the bailiffs from visiting you.

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.