What are bailiffs not allowed to take?


Anything belonging to someone other than the debtor.[1]

Anything belonging to a debtor under the age of 16,[2][3] or anything for the exclusive use of a person aged under 16.[4]

Goods on hire-purchase or hired, rented or leased.[1]

Exempt goods[5] including vehicles and tools under £1,350 used for work, trade or education.[6]

Clothes, bedding furniture household equipment for the basic domestic needs of each member of the debtors household.[7]

Domestic pets, guide dogs and guard dogs.[8]

Any vehicle with a disabled badge displayed inside.[9]

Any vehicle used for police, fire and ambulance services,[10] and any vehicle displaying a British Medical Association Badge or health emergency badge.[11]

Caravans and campers being lived in by someone,[12] including houseboats.[13]

Bailiffs cannot do anything that deprives anyone adequate access to, or the use of exempt goods.[14]



If bailiffs take control of exempt goods, then give a "Notice of Claim to Exempt Goods".[15]

CPR 85.8 Template Notice

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] Regulation 2 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[3] Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[4] Paragraph 64 of the Taking Control of Goods: National Standards, April 2014
[5] Paragraph 11(1)(b) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[6] Regulation 4(1)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[7] Regulation 4(1)(b) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[8] Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[9] Regulation 4(1)(d) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[10] Regulation 4(1)(e) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[11] Regulation 4(1)(f) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[12] Regulation 5 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[13] Explanatory note to the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[14] Regulation 16(2) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[15] Civil Procedure Rule 85.8