How does a High Court enforcement officer get involved?
First the creditor will apply for a writ of control, which tells the HCEO to visit your property and get payment or take your goods.
You’ll get a notice of enforcement letter from the HCEO telling you that they’re going to call. They have to give you at least seven days’ notice before their first visit.
The HCEO will visit your home and usually ask you to pay the debt in full. If you can’t do this, they’ll look for goods which can be taken into control until the debt is paid. They may also visit your business premises if you’re self-employed.
Taking control of goods involves the HCEO making a list of items that they’ll remove and sell if you don’t pay the debt. The goods they can or can’t remove are the same as other types of enforcement agent.
Usually they’ll let you keep the goods and pay the debt off in instalments. If you miss any instalments they’ll come back and remove the goods to sell them. This is called a controlled goods agreement.
Sometimes they’ll take goods straight away, especially if they can find a large item such as a car which can be sold to clear the debt immediately, or if they think you might remove or sell the controlled goods before you’ve paid off the debt. They can also clamp your vehicle to stop you driving it.
Worried about enforcement officers?