Your rights · 5 min read
How long can bailiffs chase a debt?
The time limits that apply to bailiff action in England and Wales, from the 12-month limit after a Notice of Enforcement to the six-year rules for council tax and county court judgments.
- Fact-checked
- Against official sources
- Last updated
- Next review due
- April 2027
- Applies to
- England and Wales
- Sources
- 4 listed on this page
Independent guidance, not a government service. This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not financial or legal advice. Debt solutions have fees, risks and consequences. For free, impartial advice, contact MoneyHelper or a debt charity.
The short answer
There are time limits, but they rarely make a debt disappear. Once a Notice of Enforcement is given, bailiffs generally have 12 months to take control of goods. Before that, councils normally have six years to get a council tax liability order, and creditors need the court’s permission to enforce a county court judgment after six years. Criminal fines aren’t time-limited in the same way. Ignoring the debt usually costs more than dealing with it.
The 12-month limit on taking control of goods
Under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, an enforcement agent generally can’t take control of goods more than 12 months after the date of the Notice of Enforcement. There are limited exceptions – for example, where you’ve broken a repayment arrangement, the period can be extended.
This doesn’t wipe out the debt. If the 12 months pass, the creditor still has other ways to collect, and it may be able to start a fresh enforcement process.
Council tax: the six-year rule
A council generally has to start court action (by issuing a summons for a liability order) within six years of the council tax falling due. Once it has a liability order, it has several enforcement options, including bailiffs, attachment of earnings and deductions from benefits.
If you’re being chased for council tax from more than six years ago and no liability order was ever made, get advice. Read council tax liability orders explained.
County court judgments: six years
If a creditor has a county court judgment (CCJ) and wants to use bailiffs (a warrant of control) more than six years after the judgment date, it needs the court’s permission. The CCJ also drops off your credit file after six years. Read what is a CCJ?
Unpaid debts without a court order: statute-barred debts
For most unsecured debts like credit cards and loans, if the creditor hasn’t started court action within six years (in England and Wales) of the cause of action – usually the default – and you haven’t made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing in that time, the debt may be statute-barred. The creditor can still ask you to pay, but can’t take court action. Read statute-barred debt explained.
Debts with different rules
| Debt | Time limit position |
|---|---|
| Magistrates’ court fines | Not subject to the Limitation Act in the same way, so can be pursued for many years |
| Child maintenance arrears | Can be pursued for a long time, with strong enforcement powers |
| HMRC tax debts | Different rules apply; HMRC can pursue many tax debts for a long time |
| Mortgage shortfall | Six years for interest, twelve years for the capital |
| Council parking penalties | Once a warrant is issued, the 12-month bailiff rule applies; the case can sometimes be reopened if you never got the paperwork |
Why waiting it out is risky
- Fees keep growing. A visit adds at least £247, and sale costs come on top. See bailiff fees explained.
- Other enforcement can start, such as deductions from your wages or benefits.
- Interest and costs can be added to court debts.
- Stress and uncertainty don’t go away.
There are faster, safer ways to stop bailiffs: an affordable payment plan, Breathing Space, a Debt Relief Order or an IVA. See how to stop bailiffs.
Frequently asked questions
Do bailiffs give up after a certain time?
Not usually. Even if the 12-month window for taking control of goods passes, the creditor can often use other methods or start again.
Is council tax debt written off after six years?
Not if the council got a liability order within six years. Once it has a liability order, it can keep using enforcement options.
Does a CCJ expire?
It stays on your credit file for six years. After that, the creditor needs the court’s permission to send bailiffs, but the debt itself can still be owed.
Sources
How we wrote this article
- Research: written from primary sources such as legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and the Insolvency Service, then fact-checked by a second member of our team. The sources are listed above.
- Checked: last checked on . Next review due April 2027, or sooner if the rules change.
- Scope: applies to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, read our Scotland and Northern Ireland guide. It is general information, not personal advice.
- Independence: we are not a government website or service, and we are not connected to any council, court or enforcement company.
- Money: we may receive a fee if we introduce you to a debt advice firm. This doesn't change what we write. How we're paid.
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