What can bailiffs take? Exempt goods explained

If bailiffs (enforcement agents) are involved, you’ll want to know what’s actually at risk. The rules are set out in regulation 4 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, and they’re more protective than many people expect.

What bailiffs can take

Bailiffs can take control of goods that:

• belong to you (the person who owes the debt), or that you own jointly with someone else
• are not exempt under the regulations
• are on the premises named in the warrant, or on a road or public place (such as a car)

Typical examples include:

• televisions, games consoles, sound systems and tablets
• jewellery, watches and collectibles
• a second computer, or one you don’t need for work or education
• furniture beyond what you reasonably need
• vehicles (unless exempt – see below)
• cash (in some circumstances)

In practice, bailiffs focus on items that are worth enough to sell at auction after costs. Second-hand household goods often sell for very little.

What bailiffs can’t take: the exempt goods list

Basic household needs

Bailiffs can’t take items reasonably needed for the basic domestic needs of you and your household, including:

• clothing and bedding
• beds, for everyone in your household
• a cooker or microwave
• a fridge
• a washing machine
• a dining table and enough chairs for everyone in your household
• one phone (a landline, or a mobile if you don’t have a landline)
• furniture and household items reasonably needed to meet your basic needs

Health, care and children

• medical aids and medical equipment
• items reasonably needed to care for a child, an older person or a disabled person
• children’s toys and educational aids

Pets

• assistance dogs, guide dogs, sheep dogs and domestic pets

Work, study and education

• tools, books, phones, computer equipment and vehicles necessary for your personal use in your job, business, trade, profession, study or education – up to a total value of £1,350

If your work equipment is worth more than £1,350 in total, the bailiff could take items above that limit, so keep a list with values.

Vehicles

• a vehicle displaying a valid disabled person’s badge (Blue Badge)
• a vehicle used for carrying a disabled person
• a vehicle you need for work, within the £1,350 tools of the trade limit

Read can bailiffs take my car? for the detail.

Goods that belong to someone else

Bailiffs can only take goods that belong to you. They can’t take:

• your partner’s, children’s or lodger’s belongings
• items owned by a landlord (for example, furniture in a furnished let)
• goods on hire purchase or conditional sale, which belong to the finance company until you’ve paid
• leased or rented items, such as a Motability car or a rented TV

If someone else owns items in your home, keep proof, such as receipts, bank statements or finance agreements. If a bailiff takes something that isn’t yours, the owner can make a claim to get it back (the formal route is a court application, so get advice quickly).

Jointly owned goods

Bailiffs can take goods that you own jointly with someone else, such as a TV you bought together with your partner. If they sell them, the other owner is entitled to their share of the proceeds. If something is jointly owned, tell the bailiff and keep proof.

What happens after bailiffs take control of goods?

If a bailiff takes control of your goods, they must give you an inventory. They’ll either:

• remove the goods, or
• leave them with you under a controlled goods agreement, where you agree to a payment plan and not to sell or move the items

If you don’t pay, the goods can be sold. You must be given notice before any sale (usually at least 7 clear days), and the sale is normally at public auction. If that happens, a sale fee of £116 plus 7.5% of the debt over £1,900 can be added (for debts passed to bailiffs from 1 May 2026), plus reasonable costs like storage and auctioneer’s fees. Read controlled goods agreements: should you sign one? and bailiff fees explained.

How to protect your belongings

• Keep doors locked. For most debts, bailiffs can’t force entry – read can bailiffs force entry?
• Keep receipts and records for items that belong to other people, or are on finance.
• Make a list of your work tools and equipment, with approximate values.
• Deal with the debt early. Agreeing an affordable payment plan, getting Breathing Space or a formal debt solution can stop bailiffs before they take anything.

For every option, see how to stop bailiffs.

Related reading

• Can bailiffs take my partner’s belongings?
• Bailiffs and self-employed people: tools of the trade
• Can bailiffs take money from my bank account?

Frequently asked questions

Can bailiffs take my TV?

Yes, if it belongs to you and isn’t needed for something exempt. TVs are among the items most often listed by bailiffs.

Can bailiffs take my child’s laptop?

Not if it belongs to your child, or is reasonably needed for their education. Keep proof of ownership or that it’s used for school work.

Can bailiffs take my mobile phone?

They can’t take your only phone if you don’t have a landline, and they can’t take a phone you need for work (within the £1,350 limit). A second or expensive phone could be at risk.

Can bailiffs take my pet?

No. Domestic pets, assistance dogs, guide dogs and sheep dogs are all exempt.

Can bailiffs take things from my garden or shed?

They can take control of non-exempt goods on the premises, including outbuildings, if they’ve entered lawfully. The same exemptions apply.

Sources

• The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, regulation 4
• The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
• The Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
• GOV.UK, Bailiff powers when they visit your home