The MoneySavingExpert founder explained everything during an episode of Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, June 17
Martin Lewis has issued important advice this morning that affects hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. Speaking on today’s (June 17) episode of Good Morning Britain on ITV, the finance expert discussed a widespread concern he has and explained how his campaigning has led to a change in the law.
Martin Lewis has spoken out on the tactics used by bailiffs, particularly regarding council tax, and strongly advocates for mandatory government regulation to protect vulnerable people. During the TV segment, Martin Lewis explained what bailiffs really have the power to do and what people’s rights are, as he says many people are visited by unregulated bailiffs each year.
The MoneySavingExpert founder is calling on the government to stop “dragging its feet” on plans to mandate bailiff regulation. It is an industry that sees five million bailiffs collect more than a billion pounds a year from indebted Brits.
Martin Lewis said: “1.7 million bailiffs are sent to reclaim council tax each year. We’ve done on the show before that council tax is the most hideous, aggressive form of debt collection in the country.”
How is the law changing and when?
The law regarding council tax debt collection is changing next April. Martin Lewis describes current council tax collection as the “most hideous, aggressive form of debt collection”.
He says that missing just one monthly payment can lead to a demand for the entire year’s bill within three weeks, followed swiftly by bailiff action. However, a recent campaign win means the law will soon require a 63-day “breathing space” before councils can escalate the debt.
He explained: “Within three weeks of missing a single monthly payment, you can ask to be paid for the whole year. Within three weeks of being asked to pay for the whole year, if you haven’t been paid for the whole year, how are you meant to find a year when you can pay for a month? You can have the bailiffs sent in, once they’ve gone to court – they always have to go to court before you get bailiffs. That’s changing next April. We heard it here first on this show last time I was on.”
Susanna said: “That’s a win for your campaigning.” Martin Lewis said: “It is a big win. The law is changing, so you’ll have 63 days breathing space before they can escalate it to a year, and there’s some other changes going on too.”
Currently, the Enforcement Conduct Board acts as a voluntary regulator, meaning hundreds of thousands of people are visited by unregulated bailiffs each year. Although a government consultation in June 2025 recognised the need for an independent statutory regulator “with teeth,” Lewis accuses the government of “dragging its feet” on implementing it officially.
Martin Lewis spoke about the severe impact this has on vulnerable people. Out of the five million bailiffs sent out annually, three-quarters visit homes where people have mental health problems. Debt charity StepChange reports that bailiff visits negatively affect the mental health of 95% of people and the physical health of 91%, making the practice heavily destructive when done improperly.
He said: “So, eight million debt collection enforcements in a year, five million bailiffs sent, three-quarters of the homes where bailiffs go, the people have mental health problems, which is why my Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity have been calling for this change.”
Back in April, a council tax shake-up was announced by the government following Martin Lewis’ campaigning to “protect the most vulnerable households”. At the time, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said: “Too many families are facing aggressive enforcement action, with people left terrified of bailiffs knocking on the door because one month’s council tax bill was missed.
“We will stop this and make the system fairer by supporting families who fall behind. I want to thank Martin Lewis and his charity for their tireless campaigning, shining a light on this crucial issue affecting millions of people.”
What are your rights if bailiffs come knocking?
Martin Lewis stresses that you generally do not need to open your door to a bailiff. Bailiffs can only force entry in very limited, court-appointed circumstances, such as for unpaid criminal fines, income tax, or stamp duty.
Martin Lewis told viewers: “Just some general rules on bailiffs. You do not need to open the door. There’s only very limited circumstances where they can force you into your house. Unpaid criminal fines, unpaid income tax, unpaid stamp duty. They must be court-appointed.”
He says they cannot enter your home before 6am or after 9pm, nor can they enter if only children under 16 or vulnerable people are present. They are also strictly forbidden from lying or abusing their powers.
He added: “They can’t enter by force. They can’t enter if they’re only under 16s in. They can’t enter if they’re only vulnerable people are in. They can’t enter after 9pm or before 6am in the morning. They can’t lie, abuse powers. If you don’t let them in, though.
“They can take things from outside of your house, and they can escalate costs. They can’t take essentials. They can’t take other people’s items.” When asked by fellow presenter Susanna Reid if they can take your car, he replied: “If the car’s outside the house, they can take your car. Unless you could argue it for work, I presume, in certain cases, depending on what you did for work, which could prevent it.”
While bailiffs cannot seize essential living items or belongings owned by other people, they can take items left outside your home, such as a car, unless you can argue it is necessary for your work. Be aware that if you do not let them in, they may escalate the collection costs.
For anyone facing an emergency, such as an unexpected repossession threat, Martin Lewis strongly advises contacting a local advice agency or Citizens Advice for urgent, one-on-one help.
When can bailiffs force entry?
Bailiffs can only force entry—usually by returning with a locksmith, not by kicking the door down—in very limited circumstances:
- To collect unpaid criminal magistrates’ court fines.
- To collect HMRC tax debts (with explicit court permission).
- If you have previously let them into your home, signed a Controlled Goods Agreement, and subsequently missed a payment.
For regular civil debts like Council Tax arrears, credit cards, personal loans, or parking tickets, they have no right to force entry
What can bailiffs take, and what can’t they?
According to Citizens Advice, if a bailiff is outside or manages to enter, they face strict limitations on what they can seize. They can take luxury items, such as TVs and game consoles, as well as jewellery, antiques, vehicles parked on your driveway or public road and jointly owned property.
If you suspect a bailiff visit, park your vehicle on a neighbour’s private driveway (with permission) or lock it securely in a garage away from your property so they cannot clamp or tow it. In terms of what they cannot take, this includes essential items, such as clothes, beds, fridge, cooker, as well as tools, computers, and vehicles needed for work or study (up to £1,350 in value), belongings that belong to someone else (third-party goods) and children’s items, toys, and family pets.
