Controlled goods agreement

A controlled goods agreement is a formal arrangement between you and a bailiff (enforcement agent) that allows you to keep your possessions, as long as you stick to an agreed repayment plan.

If you have a debt that you can’t pay off in full, the bailiff may come to your home and list certain items they could take to sell - called an inventory.

If you sign a controlled goods agreement, you agree to make regular payments towards your debt.

And in return, the bailiff won’t remove your items, as long as you keep to the plan.

If you miss payments, the bailiff can then come back and remove the items listed.

This approach can be used when someone hasn’t paid a debt like council tax, court fines or parking penalties.

Warrant of control issued

In some cases - such as unpaid county court judgments (CCJs) - the court can issue a warrant of control.

This gives bailiffs the right to visit your home and collect the debt through payment or by taking control of your possessions.

For other types of debt - like council tax, parking penalties or magistrates’ court fines - enforcement agents can be instructed after the creditor gets a liability order or similar legal notice.

Bailiffs must give you at least seven days’ notice - called an enforcement notice - before they visit.

That gives you time to seek debt advice and potentially stop enforcement action being taken against you.

Bailiffs take control of your possessions

If the debt isn’t sorted, bailiffs may come to your property or - in rare cases - speak to you via video call.

Bailiffs can only take control of goods if they’ve entered your property peacefully, such as through an unlocked door, or been invited in.

For most types of debt, they can’t force entry on their first visit.

At this stage, they can list your possessions - this is taking “control”.

A controlled goods agreement is created when this list is made, but it only becomes legally binding once you sign it.

An agreement is reached

If you can’t pay the debt in full, the bailiff may offer you a controlled goods agreement.

This will outline the items the bailiffs have taken control of, how much you’ll repay and when.

You’ll usually pay in weekly or monthly instalments.

Items released or sold

If you pay off your debt in full, the items listed on the inventory will be released from the bailiff’s control.

But if you miss any payments, bailiffs can remove the listed goods and sell them at auction.

Be aware though that if you do miss a payment, you could also be charged more enforcement fees and end up owing more.

Yes.

You can choose not to sign a controlled goods agreement, but it's important to understand the consequences.

If you refuse to sign, the bailiff still has the right to take control of the items they’ve listed.

So they might come back later to remove and sell those goods to recover the debt.

If you’re unsure what to do, speak to a debt adviser before signing anything.

They can help you understand your rights and may be able to negotiate on your behalf.

You can’t simply cancel a controlled goods agreement once you’ve signed it.

But there may be some options if your situation changes.

If you're struggling with payments, contact the bailiff or enforcement agency straight away.

You can ask for the agreement to be paused or changed, especially if your financial circumstances have worsened, and they might agree to a revised payment plan.

But whatever you do, don’t stop paying without speaking to someone first.

Otherwise, your goods can still be removed and you might be hit with extra fees.

A controlled goods agreement isn’t a formal credit agreement like a credit card or loan.

So it won’t show up on your credit report on its own.

But your credit score might be affected by the original debt that led to bailiff action in the first place.

And if goods are removed and sold, or if enforcement fails, the creditor may take further legal action, which can appear on your credit record.

There are strict rules about what bailiffs can and can’t take.

So if they break these rules, you can complain and get your possessions back.

Things bailiffs can take

Bailiffs are only allowed to take goods that belong to you or that you jointly own with someone else.

Typically, they’ll target the biggest and most expensive items that can be resold, such as: 

• vehicles
• jewellery
• phones (although they have to leave you with at least one phone)
• laptops or computers
• televisions and electricals
• sofas

Things bailiffs can’t take

Bailiffs must leave you with items you need to live, including:

• clothing
• beds and bedding for everyone you live with
• essential furniture
• household appliances
• pets
• items that belong to other people
• motability vehicles or vehicles with a valid blue badge
• medical equipment or medicine
• items that heat and light your house
• anything you need for work or study (up to a value of £1,350)
• permanently attached or fitted items, like kitchen units
• items you have on hire purchase if you haven’t made the final payment

Bailiffs are only allowed to take as much as is needed to cover the debt.

The most important thing is not to agree to payments you can’t realistically manage.

So before signing anything, ask the bailiff for time to work out a proper budget.

Next, use a budget planner to see what you can afford after covering essentials like rent, food, and energy bills.

And if you’re not sure about whether you can safely sign up to a controlled goods agreement, get help from a debt adviser.

They might be able to speak to the bailiff for you.

If you can’t pay off your debt in full and worried that you could be visited by bailiffs, then speak to a debt adviser straight away.

They’ll be able to recommend debt solutions, such as: 

• a debt management plan
• an individual voluntary arrangement
• a debt relief order
• debt consolidation
• bankruptcy

You might also be able to get breathing space, which offers protects you from further action and interest, so you have time to get advice and find a longer-term solution.