Sub Navigation

• How much money can the CSA take from me?
• I’m receiving benefits, how can I pay?
• Debt Collection Agencies(DCA) and the CSA
• Should my case be with a Debt Collection Agency (DCA)?
• If you have been threatened with bailiffs.
• What kind of bailiff can collect arrears for CSA?
• What goods can the bailiff take from me?
• What about my car and business assets?
• Disputing parentage.
• CSA Collection & Enforcement Regulations.
• How can I check if the bailiff fees are correct?
• Where to go for advice & support.
  
  

What about my car and business assets?

The following list is contained under the Child Support Agency, Collection & Enforcement Regulations. The relevant Statutory Legislation concerning this is the Child Support (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, Section 30.

• If the Bailiff has levied on a vehicle, then the Bailiff may wheel clamp it whilst awaiting a tow truck to remove it. This can be clamped outside the debtor's home or at their place of work. The Bailiff will ensure that all the legal requirements associated with wheel clamping are fulfilled.
• The Bailiff may not levy on a company car or vehicle provided for the use of the non-resident parent, e.g. leased car. However, the Bailiff may levy on a vehicle owned by the non-resident parent, even though he may use it to travel to and from work or uses it occasionally for work-related activities.
• If the non-resident parent is self-employed or runs a business, the Bailiff may not levy on the vehicle that the non-resident parent uses to run his business, e.g. works van. However, if the non-resident parent runs a business that uses a fleet of vehicles and these vehicles are in the non-resident parent’s name, the Bailiff may levy on up to 75% of the fleet. The non-resident parent can continue to trade using the remaining vehicles.
• The Bailiff can levy on any stock. Stock is not considered to be equipment as it is continually being replaced in the normal course of the business.
• If the non-resident parent runs a shop using two or more counters and tills, the Bailiff may levy on one of the tills, as the second till would not be essential to the operation of the business.
• If the non-resident parent owns a public house, the Bailiff may levy on 75% of the tables and chairs.
• The non-resident parent must own all goods wholly. This means that goods bought on hire purchase cannot be seized, until the final hire purchase payment is made. Note It is the responsibility of the non-resident parent to prove that they do not own an item, or that it is on hire purchase.
• Bailiffs can check with HPI to establish if there is any hire purchase agreement on a vehicle and have direct links with DVLA, they have the same access as the Agency.
When the Bailiffs are in a property, they will identify specific items, which can be levied, and list them in duplicate, with an estimate of their sale value. The debtor will receive a copy, which they must sign.

The goods removed will be held for a minimum of five days to allow the debtor time to pay the arrears and redeem their possessions. Goods can only be sold at public auction after this time has lapsed i.e. from the sixth day.