More serious debt situations
Here are some things you can do if you are facing serious situations like:
- the threat of eviction from your home
- repossession of your assets
- your gas or electricity being cut off
- Visits from bailiffs (or sheriff officers in Scotland)
- Threat of eviction
- Gas or electricity cut off
Visits from bailiffs (or sheriff officers in Scotland)
- If you owe money, a bailiff (or sheriff officer) can visit your home and take your possessions as
payment.
- Most bailiffs are not allowed to enter your home by force or damage your property. They are allowed to
enter your home through an open window or door. Sheriff officers in Scotland have slightly different powers.
- If you don’t allow bailiffs (or sheriff officers) into your home, the situation will not go away. They may
add extra charges each time they visit your home. Try and agree on a payment plan with them or the company you
owe money to.
- Whatever your situation, get advice from Citizens Advice.
Threat of eviction
- If you have missed some mortgage or rent payments, mortgage lenders and landlords usually have the right
to seek possession of your home.
- Any threatened, attempted or actual eviction without a court order may be illegal. If your landlord tries
to evict you, you should get specialist advice.
- If you are facing eviction, get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice as soon as possible.
Gas or electricity cut off
- Gas and electricity companies can cut off your supply if you don’t pay their bills, but they have to
offer prepayment meters if it’s safe and practical to have one.
- If you risk having your gas or electricity cut off, contact your utility company immediately and agree
a repayment plan.
- It may be possible for your Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credits to be
paid to your utility company. Your local Jobcentre Plus can tell you about this.
- Water companies are not allowed to cut off a domestic water supply.
