By law we are only permitted to enforce at an address where the debtor resides or operates a trading business.

This may mean that there is more than one valid enforcement address, for example, the main residence and a second home, or, in the case of a sole trader, a workshop.

If there is a second enforcement address, although not a legal requirement, we normally send a notice of enforcement (NoE) to both addresses, preferably at the same time to avoid any delays.

Enforcement against an individual

As mentioned above, we can attend their home address/es to take control of goods (provided the NoE has been sent).

We cannot enforce at an address where the debtor is an employee, nor can we enforce somewhere they regularly visit, such as the gym, hairdresser or pub.

Enforcement against a sole trader

As well as their home address, we can also attend the trading address (once the NoE has been sent). In the case of a sole trader, any goods used for trading belong to the individual debtor, so we can take control of those goods, subject to certain conditions.

These goods are referred to as “tools of the trade” and the first £1,350 are exempt from enforcement, provided the debtor can demonstrate that they are used exclusively by the debtor.

Enforcement against a business

If the registered office address (i.e. where the company is registered at Companies House) is a location where the company operates from, then we are permitted to attend to enforce, provided the Notice of Enforcement has been sent to that address. The NoE also allows us to attend any address of the company.

If the registered office is not a trading address of the company named on the writ of control, for example, it is the location of the debtor's accountant, by law we are not permitted to enforce at that address, nor can we ask their accountants to disclose any information relating to the company.

In terms of a director’s home, if they work from home and there are goods belonging to the company, we can attend to take control of those goods (after serving the NoE), but only goods belonging to the company, not the director personally.

The only exception to that would be if the director had given a personal guarantee, and they are a party to the judgment and writ of control potentially meaning their own possessions might be taken into control.

Taking control of vehicles

We can only take control of vehicles at the address/es where we have issued a NoE or on the highway.

We are unable to take control of vehicles subject to finance or that are not registered to the person named on the writ, so we will check for finance and registered keeper details, but we are only permitted to do this when we see the vehicle during an enforcement visit.

Removing goods from third party premises

This type of premises, for example a storage facility, is not covered by the writ as “relevant premises”, so we would need to apply to Court for permission to attend third party premises to remove the debtor’s goods. Evidence showing that there is a reasonable belief that the debtor has goods at the premises will be required for the Court to grant permission.

Entry must be made by normal means and during permitted hours of enforcement.











[AS1]NoE is only required where the debtor usually lives or carries on a trade or business


An NoE does not need serving at every address. However is sometimes done as a belt and braces approach.