Is It True That The Law Allows an HCEO To Break Into Properties To Take Goods?
It is important to point out that the High Court Enforcement Officer cannot break into a residential property for the purpose of levying on goods. We would not expect the Sherforce Enforcement Officer to take that step in any shape or form.
That said, once an officer has levied on goods, if there is a failure to pay the amount outstanding then the officer is entitled to return to the property and, if necessary, force entry for the purposes of removing goods for sale. We have to stress this is an extremely rare occurrence and would only be done after all lines of communication have been exhausted.
In relation to commercial property, the situation is slightly different. If the officer attends at the premises and considers that the goods could be at “risk” then goods can be removed immediately and without any prior notice.
It is vitally important that if you return to your property and find a “warning notice” has been put through the door by a Sherforce Enforcement Officer, you contact the Debtor Services Team immediately. The team is available from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm Monday to Friday and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday. Failure to contact the Debtor Services Team may result in an escalation of enforcement action, so we ask you please to contact Sherforce as soon as possible.
