Can bailiffs take my belongings for someone else's debt?

Bailiffs may only take goods that belong to the debtor.^[1]

If bailiffs take control of goods or a vehicle belonging to another, they can make a claim.^[2][3]

The procedure for the claim starts by giving the bailiff company and the bailiff a Notice to Claim of Controlled Goods.

If the debt is being enforced in the High Court, the Notice is called a Notice to claim to Executed Goods.

The owner of the goods may also claim damages for being deprived of his goods, or vehicle.^[4][5]

Template

Send the notice to the bailiff company and get a certificate of posting from the post office.

Give a copy of the notice to the bailiff company by email and make a screenshot of the sent email capturing the time you gave it.

Send a copy of the notice by text message to the bailiff to his mobile and make a screenshot of the sent text message to record the time you gave it.

Keep all screenshots for your file.

^{[1] Paragraph 10 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[2] Non-High Court Debts: Civil Procedure Rule 85.4

[3] High Court Debts: Civil Procedure 85.6

[4] Section 3 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977

[5] Paragraph 66 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007}