Quick answer
What is a warrant of control?
A warrant of control gives County Court enforcement agents authority to enforce an unpaid court judgment. The bailiff can ask for payment and may take control of qualifying goods belonging to the judgment debtor. However, a warrant does not give unlimited powers, and you may still be able to suspend, stay or challenge the enforcement depending on your circumstances.
Deal with the balance
Paying before a visit or maintaining an accepted arrangement can prevent the case from progressing to later enforcement stages.
Apply using form N245
If you accept the debt but cannot afford the ordered payment, you may be able to ask the court to suspend the warrant and set affordable instalments.
Act if something is wrong
Contact the court immediately if the judgment, balance, debtor, service address or enforcement action appears incorrect.
County Court enforcement
Why is a warrant of control issued?
A warrant of control is usually connected to an unpaid County Court Judgment or another enforceable court order. It is not issued merely because a creditor has sent payment demands.
The creditor must first have a court judgment or order requiring payment. If the judgment required payment in full and it remains unpaid, or if an ordered instalment has fallen into arrears, the creditor can request a warrant of control.
The creditor can normally request the warrant without giving advance notice of the application itself. However, the enforcement agent must follow the separate statutory process before taking control of goods.
A judgment is made
The court decides that money is owed and sets the date or instalments by which it must be paid.
Payment falls into arrears
The amount is not paid as ordered or at least one required instalment remains unpaid.
The creditor requests enforcement
The creditor applies to the County Court for authority to enforce the unpaid judgment against goods.
What happens next?
What happens after a warrant of control is issued?
The warrant gives the County Court enforcement process legal authority, but goods are not normally removed immediately. There are stages before a potential sale.
The court issues the warrant
The warrant is passed to the enforcement office covering the debtor’s address.
Enforcement notice is sent
The debtor should normally receive formal notice and an opportunity to deal with the balance before a visit.
Payment is requested
The enforcement office may request full payment or consider an arrangement, although it does not have to accept every offer.
A bailiff may visit
If the case remains unresolved, a County Court enforcement agent may attend the home or business address.
Goods may be controlled
The agent may list, secure or remove qualifying goods belonging to the debtor.
Sale may follow
If payment is not made and the legal process is completed, controlled goods may be removed and sold.
Check the enforcement authority
Is it a warrant of control or a writ of control?
These terms are related but are not interchangeable. The paperwork should show which court authorised enforcement and who is responsible for carrying it out.
| Document | Enforcement route | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Warrant of control | County Court | Enforced by County Court enforcement agents. Form N245 may be used to ask for suspension and affordable payment terms. |
| Writ of control | High Court | Enforced by an authorised High Court enforcement officer. Different fee stages and court applications can apply. |
| Debt collection letter | Not court authority | A standard debt collector does not gain bailiff powers merely because it has been instructed to request payment. |
Bailiff powers
What can bailiffs do with a warrant of control?
A valid warrant allows County Court enforcement agents to seek payment and use the statutory taking-control-of-goods procedure. Their actions must remain within the warrant and enforcement legislation.
A County Court bailiff may:
- Visit the debtor’s home or business address.
- Ask for full payment of the warrant balance and lawful fees.
- Consider an affordable repayment proposal.
- Check for a vehicle belonging to the debtor.
- Enter peacefully through a normal means of entry.
- List goods under a controlled goods agreement.
- Secure, remove and arrange the sale of qualifying goods.
A County Court bailiff cannot simply:
- Use unlimited force to enter a residential property.
- Push past or physically intimidate the occupier.
- Take goods owned entirely by someone else.
- Take essential household items protected by law.
- Take protected work equipment within the statutory limit.
- Threaten arrest merely because an ordinary civil debt is unpaid.
- Continue after the court has formally suspended the warrant.
Entry rights
Can bailiffs force entry with a warrant of control?
For an ordinary money judgment at a residential address, County Court enforcement agents cannot usually force entry on their first visit. They normally need to enter peacefully through a door or another usual means of entry.
You can communicate through a closed door, upstairs window or letterbox. Ask the agent to show identification and provide the warrant number, claim number, creditor details and a breakdown of the balance.
You can make payment or contact the enforcement office without allowing entry. Keep doors locked and do not leave keys or access points available.
Different rules can apply where the agent is attending business premises without attached living accommodation or returning to recover goods after an earlier lawful entry and controlled goods agreement.
Taking control of goods
What can bailiffs take under a warrant of control?
The warrant applies to goods belonging to the judgment debtor. Goods should normally have enough likely sale value to make removal and sale worthwhile after enforcement costs.
Goods that may be at risk
- A car, van, motorcycle or scooter owned by the debtor.
- Televisions, games consoles and non-essential electronics.
- Jewellery, collectibles and valuable non-essential belongings.
- Business equipment that is not covered by an exemption.
- Goods jointly owned by the debtor and another person.
- Goods listed in a controlled goods agreement.
Goods that should be protected
- Essential clothing, bedding and basic household equipment.
- A cooker, fridge and other essential domestic necessities.
- Goods owned entirely by a partner or another third party.
- Personally necessary work or study equipment within the statutory limit.
- Qualifying disability-related goods and vehicles.
- Leased, rented or hire-purchase goods not owned by the debtor.
Current statutory charges
Warrant of control fees
Enforcement fees are added in stages. Acting before an enforcement visit can prevent the case from progressing to the higher-cost stages. The figures below apply to enforcement other than under a High Court writ.
| Enforcement stage | Current fixed fee | When it can apply |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance stage | £79 | Applied when the enforcement provider receives instructions and begins the formal compliance process. |
| Enforcement stage | £247 | Applied when an enforcement agent attends the premises. An additional 7.5% can apply to the amount above £1,900. |
| Sale or disposal stage | £116 | Applied when goods progress towards removal and sale. A further 7.5% can apply to the amount above £1,900. |
| Permitted disbursements | Varies | Certain reasonable costs, such as storage or sale expenses, may be recoverable where the regulations permit them. |
Stopping County Court enforcement
How can you suspend a warrant of control?
If you accept the judgment but cannot pay the warrant balance in full, you may be able to ask the County Court to suspend the warrant and set affordable payment terms.
Check the judgment
Confirm the claim number, court, creditor, balance and payment terms before making an application.
Prepare a household budget
Record all income, essential living costs, dependants and other priority and non-priority debts.
Choose an affordable offer
Offer an amount that can be maintained after essential household spending rather than an amount likely to fail.
Complete form N245
Ask the court to suspend the warrant and, where necessary, vary the existing judgment payment order.
Send it to the correct court
Include the court fee or Help with Fees reference and retain proof of submission.
Confirm the court’s decision
Do not assume the warrant has stopped until the court confirms that it has been suspended.
Form N245
Applying to suspend a warrant of control with N245
Form N245 is designed for a debtor who needs the County Court to suspend a warrant and/or change the amount payable under an existing judgment order.
The form contains a statement of means. You must provide details of your employment, income, benefits, dependants, housing costs, household spending, other debts and the payment you are offering.
The creditor receives details of the offer and can accept it, object to it or argue that a higher amount is affordable. A court officer or judge can then decide the payment terms.
N245 does not cancel the County Court Judgment, remove it from your credit record or decide that the debt was never owed. It deals with payment and suspension of County Court enforcement.
N245 may be suitable if:
- You accept that the judgment debt is owed.
- You cannot pay the full warrant balance immediately.
- The existing instalment order is unaffordable.
- You can offer sustainable weekly or monthly payments.
- You want the County Court warrant formally suspended.
N245 is not used to:
- Deny that the debt was ever owed.
- Set aside or remove the judgment.
- Challenge defective service of the original claim.
- Automatically erase enforcement fees already incurred.
- Suspend a High Court writ of control.
Disputed judgment or enforcement
Can you challenge a warrant of control?
A payment application is not always the correct response. If the underlying judgment or enforcement authority is wrong, you may need a different court application.
Reasons to investigate urgently
- You never received the original court claim.
- The claim was sent to an address you had left.
- You have a genuine defence to the original claim.
- The judgment was paid before the warrant was requested.
- The balance includes payments that have not been credited.
- The warrant names the wrong person or legal entity.
- The creditor is enforcing contrary to the existing court order.
Possible court action
- Apply on form N244 to set aside the judgment.
- Ask the court to stay enforcement while the application is decided.
- Provide a witness statement and supporting documents.
- Explain why you acted promptly after discovering the judgment.
- Include a draft defence where the debt is disputed.
- Ask the creditor to consent where appropriate.
Incorrect enforcement
What if the warrant of control is not yours?
Do not ignore a warrant simply because the name, debt or previous address appears unrelated to you. Deal with the error before an agent visits or a vehicle is incorrectly linked to the debtor.
Check every identifier
Review the full name, previous names, address, creditor, court, claim number and warrant reference.
Contact the court
Use independently verified court contact details and explain that the judgment debtor does not live at the address.
Send evidence
Provide identification, tenancy documents, council tax records or other evidence showing who occupies the property.
Notify the enforcement office
Quote the warrant reference and ask for the account to be placed on hold while the identity issue is checked.
Protect third-party goods
Keep ownership records available for vehicles and higher-value belongings at the address.
Keep a written record
Save emails, proof of delivery, names of staff spoken to and copies of all documents provided.
Time limits
How long does a warrant of control last?
A warrant of control normally remains valid for one year from its issue date. This does not mean the underlying judgment debt disappears after one year.
Normal warrant lifespan
Enforcement can generally be attempted while the warrant remains valid during its one-year period.
The creditor may apply
The creditor can ask the court to extend the warrant, normally using a formal court application.
Suspended warrant breached
If payments under a suspension order are missed, the creditor may ask the court to reissue the warrant.
Additional support
Warrants of control, vulnerability and Breathing Space
Tell the creditor and enforcement office if a mental health condition, disability, illness, bereavement, language need or other circumstance affects your ability to understand or deal with the warrant.
Ask for appropriate support
- Explain how your circumstances affect you in practice.
- Ask for communication in an accessible format.
- Request contact through an authorised representative.
- Ask for time to obtain debt or legal advice.
- Provide supporting evidence where appropriate.
- Ask for the repayment proposal to reflect additional essential costs.
Consider Breathing Space
- A regulated debt adviser must assess eligibility.
- The warrant debt must qualify for protection.
- Most enforcement action must pause once properly notified.
- Further interest and charges are restricted for protected debts.
- The protection provides time to obtain advice.
- Breathing Space does not itself write off the judgment.
What to do now
Your warrant of control action plan
Verify the warrant
Confirm the court, creditor, claim number, warrant number, debtor name and current balance.
Check the judgment order
Establish whether payment was due in full or by instalments and identify the payment said to be missing.
Gather proof of payment
Find receipts, bank statements and correspondence showing payments already made.
Choose the right response
Pay, negotiate, submit N245, request a stay or investigate setting aside the judgment.
Protect goods and vehicles
Gather ownership, finance, disability and work-use evidence before an enforcement visit.
Confirm everything in writing
Keep copies of applications, payment offers, court orders, emails, letters and receipts.
Need help with a warrant of control?
Check whether you should pay, propose affordable instalments, suspend the warrant or challenge the enforcement before the case progresses further.
Related help
More guidance about County Court enforcement
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Frequently asked questions
Warrant of control FAQs
A warrant of control is authority issued through the County Court allowing court enforcement agents to enforce an unpaid judgment. They can request payment and, where the legal requirements are met, take control of goods belonging to the judgment debtor.
A warrant may be issued because a court judgment was not paid by the required date or because at least one court-ordered instalment has fallen into arrears. The creditor must apply to the court before County Court enforcement can begin.
It means County Court enforcement agents have authority to enforce the judgment. A visit may follow if the balance is not paid, a payment arrangement is not accepted or the warrant is not suspended or otherwise stopped.
Your options may include paying the balance, agreeing affordable payments, applying on form N245 to suspend the warrant and vary the payment order, requesting a stay of enforcement or challenging the judgment where there are valid grounds. The correct action depends on why the warrant was issued.
Complete form N245 with your income, essential household spending, debts and an affordable payment offer. Send it to the court dealing with the warrant and pay the applicable court fee or apply for Help with Fees. Filing the form does not necessarily stop enforcement immediately, so confirm the warrant’s status with the court.
Do not assume enforcement has stopped merely because the application has been submitted. County Court enforcement may continue until the court makes an order suspending the warrant. Contact the court and enforcement office promptly to confirm the position.
The creditor can object to the proposed payment. A court officer or judge may then consider your financial information and decide the payment terms. You should provide a complete and realistic budget supported by evidence where possible.
If you fail to maintain the payments ordered by the court, the creditor may ask for the warrant to be reissued and enforcement can restart. Contact the creditor and court immediately if your circumstances change.
You may need to apply on form N244 to set aside or vary the judgment and request a stay of enforcement. A court application should explain the legal grounds, include supporting evidence and be made promptly. Applying does not automatically pause enforcement unless the court orders a stay.
Contact the court and enforcement office immediately. Provide identification, proof of your address and any evidence showing that you are not the judgment debtor. Do not ignore the paperwork, even if the name or debt is not yours.
For an ordinary money judgment at a residential address, County Court enforcement agents cannot usually force entry on an initial visit. They normally need peaceful entry through a door. Different rules can apply to business premises or when returning for goods after an earlier lawful entry.
You do not normally have to let a County Court enforcement agent into your home for an ordinary warrant of control. You can communicate through a closed door and make payments without inviting the agent inside.
A vehicle belonging to the judgment debtor may be clamped or removed, including when it is outside the home. Vehicles owned by someone else or covered by a valid exemption should not be taken, but evidence may be needed quickly.
A warrant of control is enforced against goods belonging to the judgment debtor. Goods owned entirely by a partner, family member or another person should not be taken. The owner may need receipts, bank statements, finance documents or other proof.
For enforcement other than under a High Court writ, the current fixed statutory fees are £79 at the compliance stage, £247 at the enforcement stage and £116 at the sale or disposal stage. Percentage fees can also apply to the amount above £1,900 at the enforcement and sale stages, together with permitted disbursements.
A warrant of control normally remains valid for one year from the date it is issued. The creditor may apply to extend it. A suspended warrant may also be reissued if the court-ordered payments are not maintained.
No. A warrant of control is generally enforced through the County Court. A writ of control is the High Court equivalent and is enforced by an authorised High Court enforcement officer. Different procedures and fee stages apply.
A qualifying judgment debt may be included in Breathing Space. Once the court and enforcement provider have been notified, most enforcement action relating to the protected debt must pause. A regulated debt adviser must assess and start Breathing Space.
No. A complaint about an enforcement agent does not normally suspend the warrant or cancel the judgment. Make any complaint separately while continuing to deal with payment, court applications and enforcement deadlines.
The warrant itself is not normally the main credit-file entry. The underlying County Court Judgment can remain registered for six years unless it is removed, such as where it is paid in full within one month of the judgment date or set aside by the court.
Official sources
Sources used for this warrant of control guide
This guide is based on current HM Courts and Tribunals Service guidance, Civil Procedure Rules and enforcement legislation applying in England and Wales.
Apply for a warrant of control
Official guidance on when a warrant can be issued, how it is enforced and how long it remains valid.
Court formForm N245
The official application to suspend a County Court warrant and/or vary payments under a court order.
Civil Procedure RulesCPR Part 83
Court rules covering warrants, stays of enforcement, instalment arrears and applications for warrants of control.
Legislation.gov.ukTaking Control of Goods Fees Regulations
The statutory fee stages and percentage charges applying to the taking-control-of-goods procedure.
Legislation.gov.ukSchedule 12 enforcement powers
The primary statutory framework governing entry, control of goods, notices and enforcement agent powers.
GOV.UKBailiff powers and your rights
Government information about entry, goods, identification, payments, vulnerability and complaints.
Court formForm N244
The general application form used to request orders including a stay of enforcement or setting aside a judgment.
Legislation.gov.ukTaking Control of Goods Regulations
Detailed rules covering notices, entry, controlled goods, exemptions, valuation and sale.
GOV.UKBreathing Space and enforcement
Official guidance about pausing qualifying court and bailiff action during statutory debt respite protection.
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