Recovery Service

The certificated bailiff (sometimes mistakenly referred to as a certified bailiff, and sometimes incorrectly spelt bailliff) has an important role to play in the collection of overdue debts. You may also see the role described as a Civil Enforcement Agent or Civil Enforcement Officer.

About Bailiffs

Bailiffs work for private clients to collect overdue debts. They also work for government departments that are owed money, and for the courts, enforcing court orders.

A certificated bailiff will attempt to negotiate getting debts paid. If this proves unsuccessful, they have the legal power to remove a debtor's goods (using a warrant of distrain issued under the laws of distress). The bailiff also has the legal power to repossess property (using an authority to effect forfeiture) when rent is overdue.

Court bailiffs in England and Wales deliver legal documents (such as summonses) and deal with county court orders. They may also recover some kinds of debt. Private bailiffs deal with all other kinds of debt, mainly magistrates' court orders and taxes.

Certificated Bailiff

Bailiffs must be certificated to collect debts such as rent arrears, unpaid council tax and parking fines.

To become a Certificated Bailiff a person has to have a Bailiff's General Certificate issued by a circuit judge who requires proof that the individual is a ‘fit and proper person’ to be awarded the certificate. Applicants must appear before the judge to answer questions on bailiff law and procedure. Bailiffs have to prove that they do not have a criminal or debt record. Bailiffs also need to have a bond or other security of £10,000 as a form of insurance.

Private Bailiff

The Peter Heims business specialises in the certificated bailiff service (sometimes referred to as a private bailiff service) for the collection of overdue rent on commercial property.

Working with you, to determine the right approach to collect the money owed, the bailiff service takes time to ensure that the service meets your needs and provides value. Unlike most other means of recovery the debtor can not enter into delaying tactics.

Very few warrants actually lead to removal. The threat of such action is enough to persuade many debtors to pay. A bailiff is able to work without leave from the court and so provide you with a speedy and effective means of recovery.

Landlord's Agent

The Peter Heims business provides a Landlord's Agent service for the repossession of commercial property.

When a tenant of a commercial property is in arrears with the rent the Landlord is allowed to re-enter the premises and take possession of them.

Forfeiture can only take place when rent is two thirds in arrears, either on a quarterly or monthly basis, or where the contract states that forfeiture can be carried out after twenty one days of being in arrears.

Entry and repossession is undertaken peacefully, to minimise any distress to the tenants. Often the repossession is undertaken early in the morning (7:00am). A locksmith will be arranged to attend to change the locks, and notices posted that the property has been repossessed.

There are occasions when a tenant will break in and repossess the propery, but this does not happen very often.

To discuss your requirements contact Peter Heims.

Service area

Based in Surrey, the business is conveniently located for debt collection assignments in London and the surrounding area.

• Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwhich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster
• Kent: Maidstone, Canterbury, Bromley, Rochester, Margate, Folkestone, Dover, Greenwich
• Surrey: Guildford, Croydon, Woking, Sutton, Kingston-on-Thames, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Brixton
• Sussex: Chichester, Brighton, Worthing, Crawley, Hastings, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Horsham

With an extensive network of bailiffs, the company provides a one-stop bailiff service wherever your debt recovery needs arise.