Are bailiffs allowed to leave notices addressed to the occupier?


No

If a bailiff leaves a document addressed to the occupier, you may disregard it.

A Notice of Enforcement must be addressed to the debtor,[1] which must have the name and address of the debtor.[2]

When a bailiff intends to re-enter premises, the notice must be given to the debtor two days before, and it must have the name and address of the debtor.[3]

After entering the premises but the debtor is not there, the bailiff must leave a notice which must be in a sealed envelope addressed to the debtor.[4]

When a bailiff takes control of goods, clamps or removes a vehicle from a highway, he must give a notice containing the name and address of the debtor,[5] which must be in a sealed envelope.[6][7]

The bailiff must also inventory the goods, and the inventory must include the name and address of the debtor,[8] and must be left in a sealed envelope addressed to the debtor.[9]

When a bailiff sells the debtor’s goods, he must give a notice which must include the name and address of the debtor, and the name and address of any co-owner.[10]

When bailiffs sell the debtors goods other than by public auction, he must give the debtor a notice which must include the name and address of the debtor.[11]

If bailiffs abandon controlled goods, he must give a notice containing the name and address of the debtor.[12]

Bailiffs are not allowed to trace debtors.[13]

Sometimes bailiffs leave a phishing letter.[14]



[1] Regulation 8.1(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[2] Regulation 7 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[3] Regulation 26(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[4] Paragraph 28(6) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[5] Regulation 30(2)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[6] Paragraph 33(4) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[7] Regulation 15(5)(b) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[8] Regulation 15(6) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[9] Regulation 33(1)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[10] Regulation 39(1)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[11] Regulation 41(2)(a)(i) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[12] Regulation 47(3)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[13] Paragraph 12 of the Taking Control of Goods: National Standards, April 2014
[14] See Bailiffs leaving a phishing letter or document