Do Bailiffs Work Weekends? Your Questions Answered

Worrying about bailiffs coming to your home can be very stressful. It might make you feel scared and nervous, but you’re not alone in this.

In fact, every month, over 170,000 people come to this site seeking guidance on their debt questions. So, you’re in the right place to find out what to do next.

In this article, we will answer your questions about bailiffs:

•  When can bailiffs come to your home (even on weekends or holidays)?
•  What can bailiffs do when they visit?
•  How can you know when a bailiff will come?
•  What can you do if you can’t pay your debt?
•  How can you stop bailiffs from coming to your home?

Citizens Advice estimate households have around £18.9 billion in unpaid bills like council tax and utilities¹. So, it’s common for people to worry about debt and its consequences.

Some of us have been there too, we understand how hard it is to have bailiffs coming to your home. We’ll share what we know to give you the facts you need to make smart choices.

Do they visit on these days?

In short, yes. However, there are some exclusions to this answer, so read on to find out when you’re most likely to have bailiffs turn up at your door.

Can they turn up on Saturdays?

In most situations, bailiffs do work weekends but generally only on a Saturday. They can come to your home and seize your belongings on any Saturday of the year, excluding Christmas Day. They can turn up at any time between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm.

It is a clever idea to be fully prepared for a visit at any time and on any day. Ensure all the members of the household know about the visit and what to do if the bailiffs arrive on the doorstep.

How about on Sundays?

Bailiffs should not visit on Sundays. Bailiffs should be aware of any religious or cultural festivals and be respectful during these times. However, they can turn up on Sundays so it’s important not to let your guard down.

Some bailiffs may also have permission to visit on religious days or even outside the usual hours of 6 am to 9 pm. The court order or warrant will state this information if it’s relevant to your case.

Your Rights

As mentioned above, bailiffs are allowed to visit your home during weekends. However, if you believe they’re harassing you, you have the right to complain.

I recently shared some important rights you have with bailiffs in an interview with the Mirror². Here’s a quick table that summarizes what I said. If you’d like to learn more about your rights when dealing with bailiffs, be sure to read our detailed guide.

What are their work Hours?

Bailiffs can turn up at your home at any time, including Saturdays. However, The National Standards for Enforcement Agents do say that enforcement can only take place between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm. There are certain situations when enforcement beyond these hours is permitted. These circumstances are:

• The court order states that bailiffs are permitted to work outside the hours of 6 am and 9 pm.
• The bailiffs have already begun to seize your belongings between 6 am, and 9 pm, but they haven’t completed the task.
• If your belongings are located somewhere that operates outside the hours of 6 am to 9 pm, usually a business premise.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Can They Visit on Christmas Day?

In practice, bailiffs should not visit on Good Friday or Christmas Day and Sundays, in most cases. It is possible to make a complaint if you’re visited on these days, as it could be classed as harassment.

How Much Notice Will I Have?

When you receive notice of a bailiff visit you have 7 working days before they’re able to turn up at your home. If the liability order is for council tax arrears, you’ll have 14 days’ notice.³ I advise you to try to produce a solution to clearing the debt in advance of the bailiffs arriving at your home.

How Can I Stop Them From Coming to My House?

StepChange found that 90% of people who have been visited by a bailiff in the last 2 years identify as vulnerable. With over 50% reporting depression and more reporting stress and anxiety.⁴

So, if you’re feeling stressed, it’s important to keep in mind that you can prevent bailiffs from coming to your home by clearing the debt in full or arranging instalments to repay the debt.

Use the contact information provided on the notice and give the bailiff company a call. Offer affordable regular instalments if you’re unable to clear the debt in full. Make sure the instalments are manageable by using my free budgeting tool.

You could also contact the company you owe the money to directly. However, you will still need to pay all additional costs added on to the original debt you owe, such as court costs and bailiff fees.

Bailiffs can arrive at your home on any day of the week. They should not come on Sundays, religious days, Good Friday, or Christmas Day. You do have the right to complain if you are being harassed by bailiffs.

Use the information I shared above to protect yourself and prepare for potential visits. I have further articles below that will provide you with more knowledge if you’re struggling with debt and are worried about bailiffs.

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How to Make a Complaint

Bailiffs are not allowed to harass or threaten you. Additionally, bailiffs should not:

• Break into your home unless they have a warrant
• Charge you incorrect fees
• Take belongings that don’t belong to the person or persons named on the court order
• Take items classed as essential.

If you’ve received notice of a visit, I recommend taking a few minutes to read through my article that explains what bailiffs can’t take. That will give you the information you need to ensure that the bailiffs don’t do anything they shouldn’t.

If you need to make a complaint you can do so by contacting both the bailiff’s head office and the people, you owe the money to. There are further steps you can take to make your complaint, depending on the type of bailiff you’re complaining about.

Private Bailiff

Most bailiffs are working for a private company. You can complain to the bailiff’s head office and the company you owe the money. Additionally, if the bailiffs belong to a trade association you can make a complaint to the association they belong to. You can visit the following websites to search the name of the bailiff you wish to complain about to see if they are members.

Civil Enforcement Association

High Court Enforcement Officers Association

High Court Enforcement Officer

Raise a complaint about a High Court Enforcement Officer in writing and send it to the following address. Keep proof of postage and a copy of the letter you sent.

Civil Enforcement Policy
Civil Law and Justice Division
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AL

Write a formal letter of complaint and ask a High Court Judge to consider if the bailiff can continue working, based on their behaviour towards you.

Civil Enforcement Officer

Use the online form to make a complaint about either a court bailiff or a civil enforcement officer. Find out the court the bailiff came from by using the GOV.UK online form so you know where to send the complaint.

References

1. Citizens Advice – Debt Statistics and Bailiff Issues
2. Mirror – Bailiffs: What they can and can’t take
3. The Guardian – Bailiff Visit
4. StepChange – Creditor and Debt Collector Conduct