Debtor information
General information
We are not qualified to provide advice to anyone facing enforcement action and we would encourage debtors to seek independent legal advice. There are many advice agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureau with the experience to provide the right advice for the right circumstances. See our useful links page for more information.
That said the following tips may be helpful:
- Don’t bury your head in the sand – the problem will not go away – the longer you leave it, the worse it will get
- Do not be tempted to ‘consolidate’ your debts – take professional advice – or you may end up owing even more
- Check your entitlements – you may have benefits to counter some of your debt
- Do not ignore court notices – for example, the majority of county court judgments are issued by default because the debtor does not respond
Dealing with enforcement agents
Do not ignore enforcement agents (or bailiffs as they used to be called). The enforcement agent can actually help to resolve a situation which otherwise will inevitably get worse.
This can be avoided by dealing with the enforcement agent who can, in many cases, help by setting up an arrangement to pay by agreed installments. However, in order to have an arrangement, the enforcement agent must secure the debt by taking control of goods. This does not mean goods will be removed immediately but it is a process whereby the enforcement agent takes legal control of the goods and, in most cases, leaves them in place while you make your payments.
If, however, you default on the payments, the goods are likely to be removed and sold at auction.
The enforcement agent can provide you with a payment card which allows you to pay at any post office at low cost.
Why you should let the enforcement agent in
Debtors who cannot immediately pay in full are often advised not to let the enforcement agent in. While this advice may temporarily prevent the agent from doing his or her job, it really doesn’t help your situation and will simply increase your debt.
If you refuse to let the enforcement agent in s/he cannot take legal control of goods and cannot therefore, give you a payment arrangement. As the agent is duty bound to continue calling until either the debt is paid, an arrangement to pay has been agreed or goods are seized and removed for sale, then your refusal to deal with the matter and let the agent help you will only serve to increase costs to you.
The duty of the enforcement agent is to satisfy the warrant in his or her possession. The agent does not want to remove goods – it’s time consuming and often hard work!
Help us to help you – don’t ignore us. The quicker you deal with the situation, the less it will cost you.
Contacting you
We may contact you via a number of methods including a direct visit to your premises, email, letter, SMS text or telephone contact from our Collections Department and automated telephone contact systems.
Please do not ignore our contact with you.
Debtor contact points
Debtors can contact us by phone on 0845 370 7775 and 01492 531345
Or by email to info@excelenforcement.co.uk
