Quick answer
What happens after you contact Bailiff Advice?
We start by understanding the immediate bailiff problem and your wider financial circumstances. The aim is to establish what is happening, what you can realistically afford and whether an IVA may be suitable before you decide whether to continue.
We establish the urgency
We check the creditor, debt, enforcement company, current stage and any approaching deadline.
We review the full picture
Income, essential expenditure, assets, priority commitments and wider unsecured debts are considered.
You choose the next step
The available option, fees, risks and consequences are explained before you decide whether to proceed.
The process
Four clear steps from enquiry to a practical way forward
Tell us what is happening
Complete the short assessment or call us. Explain which bailiff company is involved, the type of debt and the most urgent concern.
Complete a confidential assessment
An adviser reviews the enforcement stage, wider debts, household income, essential expenditure, assets and current commitments.
Understand the available option
Where an IVA may be suitable, the expected payment, term, fees, creditor approval process, risks and credit impact are explained.
Choose whether to proceed
You remain in control of the decision. A formal proposal is only progressed after the implications have been explained.
Your first conversation
A focused assessment of the bailiff action and your finances
The first conversation is used to establish the facts rather than assume that one debt solution is right for everybody.
The adviser will normally ask about the original creditor, the bailiff company, the enforcement stage, any goods or vehicle already controlled, your wider debts and what remains after essential household expenditure.
Tell the adviser immediately about a scheduled visit, a clamp, removal notice, court deadline or existing controlled goods agreement.
What happens next?
The next step depends on whether an IVA is suitable
Where an IVA may be suitable
- The proposed payment and term are explained
- Fees are included in the formal proposal
- Risks, credit impact and alternatives are discussed
- A licensed insolvency practitioner reviews the case
- Creditors consider and vote on the proposal
- The arrangement starts only after the required approval
Where an IVA is not suitable
- You are not required to continue with an IVA application
- My Debt Plan Ltd provides IVAs only
- Another debt option may be more appropriate
- A referral is made only with your agreement
- There is no charge for the referral itself
- The receiving organisation carries out its own assessment
Prepare for the assessment
Useful information to have available
Bailiff information
The company, creditor, enforcement reference, current balance, notice date, visit date and any clamp or controlled goods paperwork.
Debt information
Credit cards, loans, overdrafts, Council Tax, utilities, arrears, court debts and any joint or secured liabilities.
Household information
Income, benefits, rent or mortgage, utilities, food, travel, dependants, vehicles, assets and essential monthly expenditure.
Honest expectations
What Bailiff Advice can and cannot promise
We can help you
- Understand the debt and current enforcement stage
- Review affordability and wider unsecured debts
- Explain how an IVA works and whether it may be suitable
- Explain fees, risks and credit consequences
- Identify information needed for urgent enforcement issues
- Progress an IVA application where appropriate
We cannot promise
- That submitting a form immediately stops enforcement
- That every debt, fine, warrant or secured liability is covered
- That controlled or removed goods are automatically protected
- That creditors will approve an IVA proposal
- That an IVA is suitable for every person
- A specific debt write-off before assessment and creditor approval
Ready to understand your next step?
Complete the short assessment or speak with a UK-based adviser about the bailiff action and your wider debts.
Before you apply
Common questions about the process
An adviser reviews the information you provide and contacts you to understand the bailiff action, your wider debts, income, household costs and what outcome you need. The available next steps and their implications are then explained.
No. An enquiry does not cancel a warrant, writ, visit or controlled goods agreement. Tell the adviser immediately about any scheduled visit, clamp, removal or court deadline.
Useful information includes the creditor, bailiff company, enforcement reference, balance, notice or visit date, any controlled goods paperwork, household income, essential expenditure, assets and details of other debts.
No. An IVA should only be considered after suitability, affordability, fees, risks, alternatives and credit consequences have been explained. You decide whether to proceed.
A licensed insolvency practitioner reviews and prepares the formal proposal. Creditors then consider it, and the IVA only becomes effective if the required approval is obtained.
My Debt Plan Ltd provides IVAs only. If an IVA is unsuitable, with your agreement you may be referred free of charge to a trusted affiliate for advice about another debt option.
Speak with Bailiff Advice
Start with a confidential assessment of the enforcement action and your wider financial circumstances.