Chandlers Bailiffs: Your Rights, Fees and Payment Options

Are you feeling worried due to a letter or a visit from Chandlers Enforcement Agents? We understand your concerns. You may be stressed about your belongings being taken away or unsure about dealing with bailiffs. We’re here to help.

This guide explains enforcement in England and Wales. If you have received a notice, check its deadline promptly and obtain free debt advice if you are unsure what to do. The guide covers:

•  Who Chandlers Limited are and why they are getting in touch.
•  How to check if the debt they claim is really yours.
• What to do if the debt is disputed or you need an affordable payment arrangement.
•  Your rights if Chandlers Limited have taken your goods.
•  Steps you can take if you’ve been contacted by Chandlers Limited.

Dealing with enforcement can be stressful. Use this guide to check the notice and understand when to obtain individual advice.

Let’s get started on finding a way to make the situation easier for you.

Why Are They Getting in Touch?

Chandlers provides enforcement and revenue-collection services in England and Wales. A business name alone does not prove that a notice is genuine or that the debt is correct, so verify the instruction and authority.

Chandlers lists services for the following types of clients. The debt and powers in your case depend on the actual instruction:

• Local authorities and their legal departments.
• Magistrates’ courts.
• Solicitors.
• Commercial organisations.

The creditor may instruct an enforcement company under a liability order, warrant, writ or another permitted legal process. Ask which authority applies; not every unpaid bill gives an agent a right to take goods.

When checking a notice, confirm:

• The creditor’s name and your account or case reference.
• The debt type, relevant dates and balance.
• The enforcement authority and the calculation of any fees.

Chandlers’ enforcement role should not be described as buying bulk debts at a discount. Taking control of goods requires the relevant legal authority and compliance with the rules; it is not a general power arising from an unpaid account.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

What Actions Should You Take?

If you have been contacted by Chandlers Limited about your outstanding debt, these are some things you should do to deal with the situation:

Speak to them

The figures below are the non-High Court stage fees under the rules effective from 1 May 2026. Earlier enforcement action has transitional protection; High Court enforcement and court-employed County Court bailiffs have different fee arrangements. Ask for an itemised calculation.

• Compliance: £79 when the compliance stage is started, including preparation and issue of the notice of enforcement.
• Enforcement: £247 plus 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 when the enforcement stage is reached. This is not a fresh fixed fee for every repeat visit.
• Sale or disposal: £116 plus 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 when that stage is reached. Only permitted additional costs may be added.

If you don’t owe the debt or you have already paid it, you should always respond to the contact from Chandlers Limited before they end up sending someone to visit you at home. You should get confirmation that is your debt in the first instance, and take the most appropriate action to deal with it.

An agent must not misrepresent their powers or threaten action they cannot lawfully take. Council tax and penalty enforcement are governed by enforcement legislation; FCA consumer-credit rules do not apply universally to all bailiff activity.

Get confirmation of the debt

Check the debtor’s name, creditor, amount and authority. If you have paid or believe there is an error, contact Chandlers and the creditor with evidence immediately and ask for a written hold while it is investigated. Updating them does not by itself guarantee that all action stops.

A prove it letter can help request information, but does not itself stop enforcement or extend a deadline. Council tax and statutory penalty debts do not depend on a signed consumer credit agreement. Failure to produce such an agreement does not cancel a liability order or warrant. Check the actual legal basis of the debt and the available review or court procedure.

Statute-barred debt

Some unsecured contractual debts in England and Wales have a six-year time limit for starting court proceedings, normally measured from when the creditor could sue. A payment or qualifying signed written acknowledgment before expiry can restart the period. A conversation alone does not restart it, and court proceedings begun in time can change the position.

Scotland has different prescription rules: certain debts are extinguished after five years without a relevant claim or acknowledgment, subject to the applicable rules. This is not the same as the England and Wales limitation defence. Ask an adviser to check the debt type, dates and any court action.

Keep in mind that not all debts become statute-barred!

A debt with an existing judgment, council tax liability order or enforcement warrant cannot be assessed using a simple six-years-since-last-payment rule. Tax debts also have special rules. A judgment does not disappear when its six-year credit-file entry ends, although later enforcement may require court permission.

Get advice before using a statute-barred letter, making a payment or acknowledging an old debt. The adviser needs to check the debt type, relevant dates and any court action. See statute-barred debt letter template.

If you are unsure about the status of your debt, you can contact a debt charity for some advice. Their advisors will be able to look at the debt in question, determine its status, and advise you on your next steps.

Clearing the debt

If the liability and fees are valid, contact Chandlers promptly to discuss payment. Ask for an itemised settlement figure and a receipt, and confirm that the payment has closed the relevant enforcement account. Get advice if payment would leave you unable to meet essential living costs.

If you cannot afford payment in full, provide an income-and-expenditure budget and propose affordable instalments. The company does not have to accept every offer. Ask for written confirmation of any agreement and whether enforcement is paused; merely making an offer does not stop action or fees.

How Do You Deal with a Visit from them?

For ordinary civil debts, including council tax, an enforcement agent cannot force initial entry into a home. They may enter through a normal unlocked door where they have lawful authority, but cannot climb through a window or push past you. You can communicate through a closed door. Forced entry depends on specific legal powers, not simply whether a debt is described as serious. Limited exceptions can apply to certain criminal fines, authorised business-premises enforcement or recovery of goods already controlled after breach of an agreement. Ask for the precise authority and seek urgent advice; a locksmith or warrant alone does not establish a general right to force entry.

If an agent from Chandlers Limited comes to your door, or any other bailiff for that matter, you should insist that they provide you with identification. These are some typical types of identification they should be able to provide you with:

• Proof of their identity, such as a badge, ID card etc
• Proof of who they’re representing (such as, Chandlers Limited)
• Proof of what you owe, including a breakdown with fees and charges details
• The relevant liability order, warrant, writ or other enforcement authority, and the specific legal basis for any claimed power to use force.

Don’t worry about having to let them in to provide these documents, you can just request that they slip these through the letterbox, and you can take your time to look at them. You should make sure all the information is correct and up-to-date.

If the debt is not yours or authority is unclear, contact Chandlers and the creditor immediately with evidence and seek advice. You can speak through a closed door; refusal of entry does not itself cancel lawful enforcement against non-exempt goods outside.

Ignoring a valid notice can lead to further enforcement and recoverable fees. Seek help promptly if there is a dispute, vulnerability or difficulty paying.

What Rights Do You Have if They Have Taken Your Goods?

Act promptly if goods have been removed, especially if a sale date is approaching. Ask for the inventory, relevant notices, balance and the deadline for resolving the matter.

If goods have been removed, obtain urgent advice before the sale. Paying the full enforceable debt and recoverable costs in time can stop the sale; a repayment offer alone does not guarantee return. Buying goods at auction does not necessarily clear any remaining debt and fees.

If exempt goods or someone else’s property have been taken, contact the agent immediately with evidence and seek advice on the appropriate court procedure and deadline. An error does not automatically cancel the debt or guarantee that goods will be returned without costs. See related guidance.

The table below summarises bailiff rights. Apply it alongside the specific debt, enforcement authority and any protections relevant to your situation.

Bailiffs may	Important limits
Visit under a valid enforcement power	Normally at least 14 clear days’ notice is required before taking control of goods; courts can shorten notice. An eligible debt-advice request can extend it to 28 clear days.
Take non-exempt goods belonging to the debtor	They cannot take ordinary essential household items or someone else’s property. Some jointly owned goods may be affected.
Take a vehicle where legally permitted	Ownership, finance, disability and other exemptions must be checked. ANPR does not remove those limits.
Enter through a door when lawful	For ordinary civil debts they usually cannot force first entry to a home. A CCJ by itself is not a power to break in.
Enter into a controlled goods agreement	Ask for a clear inventory and terms; breaking an agreement can have serious consequences.
Sell goods under the enforcement rules	Notice and sale requirements apply. Get advice if you dispute ownership, exemption, entry or fees.

England and Wales only. Tools and equipment needed personally for work, study or education have a combined exemption limit of £1,350. The rules differ elsewhere in the UK.

How to Stop Them From Getting in Touch

Chandlers may send notices, contact you and make lawful enforcement visits. Keep records and raise any disputed conduct or fee promptly.

Do not ignore an enforcement notice. Check the debt and authority, and ask the creditor or a free debt adviser about the appropriate next step. See related guidance.

For enforcement action under the rules in force from 1 May 2026, the usual minimum notice before taking control of goods is 14 clear days. A qualifying debt advice provider can request an extension to at least 28 clear days before the original deadline, except for excluded business debt. A court can shorten notice in specified circumstances; earlier enforcement action is protected by transitional rules.

Paying the valid debt and recoverable fees before further action, or obtaining an accepted arrangement or lawful hold, can prevent escalation. A payment offer alone does not guarantee that a visit is cancelled.

They can’t just do as they please though! These are some things they can’t do:

• Misrepresenting an ordinary letter as a court document or claiming powers they do not have. Genuine court documents may legitimately be supplied.
• They must not contact you at hours which would be deemed as ‘unsociable’. Such as very early morning or late at night
• Disclosing your debt improperly or disregarding reasonable communication needs. Asking them not to phone you at work does not automatically prohibit all lawful visits or statutory notices.
• They should not try to confuse you with jargon and technical terms

Use contact details from the verified official website or check them with the creditor. Early contact can help, but does not by itself freeze fees or interest; obtain written confirmation of any arrangement or hold.

Ask for the creditor, debt type, relevant dates, authority to enforce and an itemised balance. If liability is disputed, contact the creditor as well as the enforcement company and obtain urgent advice on the proper challenge. A request for evidence does not itself suspend enforcement or extend a deadline. The Financial Conduct Authority’s guidelines concern activities within their consumer-credit scope and do not replace the statutory rules for bailiffs. See related guidance.

Can I Get a Debt Solution?

If you have unsecured debts and are worried about paying them or a visit from Chandlers Enforcement, you might benefit from a debt solution.

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 Debt Management Plan can organise affordable payments towards suitable unsecured debts, but is informal and does not automatically stop interest, court action or bailiff enforcement. Priority debts need separate attention.

A DMP is informal and creditors are not bound by it in the same way as by a formal insolvency arrangement. Priority debts and existing enforcement require separate advice.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal insolvency arrangement with creditors. It can include agreed payments or other contributions and binds creditors covered by the arrangement once approved. Fees, effects on assets and credit, and the risk of failure need to be considered with an authorised insolvency practitioner.

An IVA can write off the unpaid balance of included debts on successful completion, subject to its terms. Excluded debts remain payable, and failure can leave you liable for remaining debt and further action.

There is no universal statutory requirement to owe several thousand pounds or have more than one creditor. Suitability depends on the debts, available income or assets, alternatives and the provider’s criteria.

Trust Deed

Scotland has different debt remedies, including protected trust deeds, the Debt Arrangement Scheme and bankruptcy. A trust deed is one option, not a compulsory replacement for an IVA; ask a Scottish debt adviser which options fit your situation. See trust deed guide.

A protected trust deed is a formal Scottish insolvency arrangement with conditions, costs and risks to assets and credit. Protection and discharge depend on its status and successful completion; it does not automatically cover every debt or prevent every type of contact.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

In England and Wales, a Debt Relief Order may be available if qualifying debts are no more than £50,000, spare monthly income is no more than £75, assets are no more than £2,000 and any qualifying vehicle is worth no more than £4,000. Other conditions apply, including not owning your home. An approved adviser must assess eligibility. See Debt Relief Order guide.

A DRO normally gives 12 months of protection for the debts included in it. Ongoing bills and excluded debts still need to be paid. Follow your adviser’s guidance, especially where rent arrears or eviction are involved.

Included debts are normally discharged at the end of the DRO period if the order remains in force. Changes in circumstances must be reported and can affect the order; excluded debts are not written off.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a formal insolvency option with eligibility rules and serious consequences for assets, housing, credit and sometimes employment. It does not cover every debt. Get independent advice on all available options before applying.

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.

Scotland’s Minimal Asset Process is a form of bankruptcy for people meeting specific debt, income and asset conditions. It has consequences for credit and finances and should be assessed with an approved money adviser. See Minimal Asset Process guide.

How do I Complain?

Complain to the enforcement company and the creditor, identifying the conduct or charge you dispute. For a County Court bailiff employed by HMCTS, complain to the court. A complaint does not itself suspend enforcement or extend a court deadline. See CIVEA code of practice.

Follow Chandlers’ current complaints procedure and raise the matter with the instructing creditor where appropriate. Keep evidence and request a written response. A complaint alone does not stop enforcement.

CIVEA means the Civil Enforcement Association. Check the current complaints arrangements for the firm and any applicable independent scheme; membership and eligibility matter. Court complaints about certification are a separate process and can carry costs risks. The Financial Ombudsman Service is not a general appeal body for bailiff enforcement and does not fine bailiffs. The correct escalation route depends on the agent and creditor: it may involve an eligible enforcement complaints scheme, a council ombudsman complaint or an application to court. Obtain advice on the route and any deadline. See CIVEA complaints information.

Chandlers Limited Contact Details

Website:	https://www.chandlers.ltd.uk/
Post	Chandlers Limited, Office 7, 35–37 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JN. Check the official contact page before sending documents.
Phone number:	0208 290 0866
Contact information	Check the official website for current contact methods.
Email address:	[email protected]
Opening hours	Monday to Friday, 9.00 am–5.00 pm, excluding bank holidays, according to the official contact page checked on 4 October 2026.

References

1. Citizens Advice – Debt Statistics and Bailiff Issues
2. FCA Handbook – CONC 7

Schedule 12, Tribunals, Courts and Enforcements Act, 2007

Part 1, Regulation 10, Certification of enforcement agents, 2014.

Gov.uk, CPR – Rules and Directions, 2018.