Jargon buster

Bailiff – Somebody legally authorised to recover specific debts by taking goods and property of the same value and selling them.

Creditor - The company or body you owe money to.

National Standard (full name National Standard for Enforcement Agents) – The government’s guidance for how bailiffs should behave. It is a voluntary code and not enforceable by law.

Ombudsman - The body responsible for investigating and addressing complaints made by individual members of the public.

Walking Possession Agreement – This is the payment agreement you may make if bailiffs have entered your home. It enables you to keep your belongings if you keep to the new payment arrangement. If you do not, the bailiff can return, force entry into your home, and take the stuff on the list.