Can bailiffs break into my home?

Bailiffs recovering unpaid court fines may enter domestic property using reasonable force.^[1]

Bailiffs interpret this to mean breaking entry or getting a locksmith, but the regulations do not provide for either of these.

If you report a break-in or a burglary to the police, they say it is a civil matter.^[2]

If your home has been broken into, or burgled, you must check your valuables, and take lots of photographs of the scene, in particular where items of furniture or equipment have been moved.

Bailiffs have no interest in household goods, they have no material value and they stand no prospect of being sold to pay the costs let alone the unpaid court fine.

They threaten locksmiths to coerce payment.

Bailiffs are only interested in vehicles outside, or high value items such as jewellery and cash which can be squirrelled away.^[3]

Bailiffs may have secretly taken photographs of your valuables and documents inside your house,^[4] so move them to a safe place.

Change your locks, you never know who has made a copy of the keys. They might return to burgle your home, knowing the police will not investigate crimes where the burglar entered using a key.

Start collating up your costs and damages to items, appliances, reconnecting electrical equipment together with the cost of replacing locks and home security, then give a letter of claim to the bailiff to give them an opportunity to make good the repairs and settle your claim.

If property has been damaged, you must give the bailiff an opportunity to make good the damage before instructing your own workmen to carry out the repairs.

If goods are taken, and the bailiff has not left an inventory,^[5][6] and a notice after entry, and/or taking control of goods on a highway,^[7] then you should report the theft to the police.

A power to break into property applies to commercial premises for recovering unpaid commercial rent,^[8] or a demised premises evicting tenants following a section 8 notice.^[9]

^{[1] Paragraph 18(b) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[2] See Police and civil matters
[3] See Bailiffs stealing your jewellery
[4] See Bailiffs taking pictures of your valuables
[5] Paragraph 34 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[6] Regulation 30 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[7] Regulation 32 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[8] Section 72 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[9] Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988}