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Accessible legal tips, know-how and news for anyone with a complaint or legal issue from Stephen Gold, author of The Return of Breaking Law, the book

Wednesday 29 April 2020

COVID-19: Bailiff Seizure Holiday


Your copy of Breaking Law (I dispute that the pages fall out), Rolls Bentley, second tv set and stock of 2,689 unneeded multi-packs of toilet rolls are safe from bailiff seizure during the emergency restrictions. Regulations* which came into force on 25 April 2020 prevent enforcement agents (including bailiffs) from taking control of goods at a home or located on the highway (for example, a parked car) while the restrictions last. They can still do the worst at business premises. In relation to rent arrears for business premises where the landlord has been able to send in an enforcement agent to take stock and other goods under the commercial rent arrears recovery scheme, the minimum amount of arrears for this to be done has been done has been raised from seven days' worth to 90 days for the time being (where notice of enforcement was served after 24 April 2020). 

* The Taking of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/451