Direct Collection Bailiffs Limited – known as DCBL – is an established enforcement agency (bailiffs) who collect Council Tax arrears for local councils, debts for private companies and rent arrears in communities across England and Wales. DCBL was exclusively featured on the Channel 5 programme Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away.
What Does DCBL Bailiffs Do?
County Court and Local Authority Debt Recovery
DCBL Debt Collectors have become famous recently, appearing on the Channel 5 programme Can’t pay, we’ll take it away’. Of course, that will not help you one bit! They predominantly work in debt recovery, high court enforcement, on behalf of large landlords on commercial rent recovery. Usually, if you are not able to pay these debts with 7 days then the court or landlord will employ DCBL as debt collectors and bailiffs to collect money from you. They will come to your house or business and discuss payment options with you. Whilst it is not preferable, they can seize your property under certain circumstances. Direct Collection Enforcement Services have five offices around the UK.
Direct Collection Bailiffs Limited offer a number of services: –
High Course Enforcement
Money Order Judgement / County Court Judgements
DCBL are authorised to carry out the execution of High Court Writs and County Court Judgements. This service applies on County Court Judgements over £600.
Residential Possession
DCBL Bailiffs can remove occupants from landlord’s or landowner’s property once they have received a valid Possession Order. This includes the removal of tenants or the eviction of squatters.
Tribunal Award Enforcement
This applies to employees where their Employer has awarded them compensation at an Employment Tribunal. If the employer has failed to make a payment, it is possible to recover this by instructing Direct Collection High Court Enforcement Agents to collect.
Commercial Rent Recovery
This includes Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery.
Commercial Lease Forfeiture
Most commercial properties will contain a specific clause which allows permission for the landlord to re-enter the property called ‘Forfeiture of Lease’. This allows Direct Collection Bailiffs to gain peaceful entry into the property.
Traveller Recovery
Direct Collection Bailiffs Limited will guarantee removal of travellers from your land within 24 hours.
Debt Recovery
Direct Collection Debt Recovery also take part an International Debt Recovery Service. They claim to have a network of recovery agents and legal associates around the world, helping them to recover debts in over 50 countries worldwide.
They have processes and technology allowing them to trace debtors who have moved locations. This accounts for millions of pounds of debt which is written off each year. DCBL will conduct tracing services, allowing them to locate these debts.
Can Direct Collection Bailiffs Limited Send Bailiffs to My House?
In some cases, if court action has been taken and your debts are still due then the courts may appoint Direct Collection Bailiffs to recover property and assets to the value of the debt.
Can DCBL Break into My House?
The chances of Direct Collection Bailiffs being able to enter your property are quite rare. They can only do this if a Liability Order has been issued against you by a magistrate on behalf of the local authority. If you are a business then there would need to be an unpaid fine from a Magistrate, County Court or High Court.
DCBL Right Of Entry
The chance of this company being able to enter your property is quite rare. They can only do this if a Liability Order has been issued against you by a Magistrate on behalf of the local authority. If you are a business then there would need to be an unpaid fine from a Magistrate, County Court or High Court.
Reasonable Force
It is the law that enforcement agencies are only able to enter a property if they have been inside the property before. They are then able to use what is known as ‘reasonable force’ to re-enter. This could involve them using a Locksmith to help them gain entry. They can only try and gain entry during the hours of 6 am and 9 pm.
What Can DCBL Take?
There are restrictions on what a bailiff can remove from for your property. If you have given them entry, or they have gained entry by other means then they can remove what is known as ‘Walking Possessions’. These are those which are subject to ‘Taking Control of Goods Regulations’. They will make an inventory of any of these possessions in your home and estimate the current value. You can then enter into a ‘Controlled Goods Agreement’ with them which will give you time to pay the outstanding debt.
If you fail to pay them then they can return to your property and remove items. There are certain items which DCBL Debt Recovery cannot take. These include essential items such as bedding, refrigerators, medical equipment, cookers and other items.
