Check what bailiffs can take

Summary

Anything you need for work or study up to the value of £1,350 is known as ‘exempt’. If bailiffs take something you need for work show them order forms or invoices and explain why you need it. Prove your things are worth less than £1,350 by showing receipts or looking online at websites like eBay. If bailiffs take your vehicle and you need it for work you could show invoices or order forms if you use it to carry tools to a job. Show proof of employment if you need the vehicle to get to your office. If you need something for study show enrolment documents from your course. Whether or not bailiffs can take something you’re paying for on finance depends on the type of agreement you have. If you’re not sure what type of agreement it is, contact the company you made the agreement with. With some types of finance agreements, like hire purchase or conditional sale, you don’t own the item until you’ve made the last payment. If you haven’t made the last payment yet, the item will still belong to the person or company you bought it from. Bailiffs can’t usually take goods you’ve bought with this type of finance agreement, but the law is complicated. Get help from your nearest Citizens Advice.

Key information

• things that belong to other people
• anything you’re still paying for on finance
• Motability scheme vehicles
• Anything you need for work or study up to the value of £1,350 is known as ‘exempt’.
• If bailiffs take something you need for work show them order forms or invoices and explain why you need it.
• Prove your things are worth less than £1,350 by showing receipts or looking online at websites like eBay.
• If bailiffs take your vehicle and you need it for work you could show invoices or order forms if you use it to carry tools to a job. Show proof of employment if you need the vehicle to get to your office.
• If you need something for study show enrolment documents from your course.
• Whether or not bailiffs can take something you’re paying for on finance depends on the type of agreement you have. If you’re not sure what type of agreement it is, contact the company you made the agreement with.
• With some types of finance agreements, like hire purchase or conditional sale, you don’t own the item until you’ve made the last payment. If you haven’t made the last payment yet, the item will still belong to the person or company you bought it from.
• Bailiffs can’t usually take goods you’ve bought with this type of finance agreement, but the law is complicated.
• Get help from your nearest Citizens Advice if bailiffs try to take something you’ve bought in this way.

Practical guidance

• Source: Check what bailiffs can take

Related topics

More in this area

• Check if a financial service has followed the rules
• Check if you have to pay a debt
• Check the rules after you go bankrupt
• Check what an IVA is
• Cold called by a debt management plan provider