The Sheriffs Office: your rights and how to deal with them
A notice or a visit from The Sheriffs Office? Here is who they are, what their agents can and cannot do, the fees they can legally charge, and how to agree payments or complain.
Applies to: England & Wales
What to do now
- Check the date on your notice of enforcement — you have at least 14 clear days.
- Contact The Sheriffs Office and offer an affordable arrangement before the deadline.
- Check every fee with the bailiff fee checker.
Who are The Sheriffs Office?
The Sheriffs Office is a High Court enforcement firm, part of HCE Group, enforcing High Court writs for judgments, possession orders and rent arrears.
| What it is | High Court enforcement company |
|---|---|
| Group | HCE Group |
| Brands | National Eviction Team |
| Based in | Registered office Cardiff |
| Companies House number | 06422666 |
| Enforcement Conduct Board | Accredited |
| Trade body | High Court Enforcement Officers Association |
| Enforces | High Court writs (CCJs) and commercial rent (CRAR) |
| Official website | https://www.thesheriffsoffice.com/ |
Is The Sheriffs Office a scam?
The Sheriffs Office is a real High Court enforcement company. A genuine visit is always preceded by a written notice of enforcement giving at least 14 clear days (for notices from 1 May 2026). Fraudsters sometimes pretend to be bailiffs: check the agent’s identity and certificate, and pay only through the firm’s official website or the details on your notice.
What The Sheriffs Office’s agents can and cannot do
- For most debts, including council tax, parking penalties and County Court Judgments, they cannot force their way into your home. When bailiffs can enter.
- They cannot visit between 9pm and 6am, or enter if only children under 16 or vulnerable people are at home.
- They cannot take essentials, work tools up to £1,350, or other people’s belongings. What bailiffs can take.
- Their fees are fixed by law. Check the fees you are being charged.
How to deal with The Sheriffs Office
- Read the notice of enforcement and add the date to the deadline planner.
- Contact The Sheriffs Office before the notice period ends and offer an affordable arrangement.
- Ask a free debt adviser to request a longer notice period — if they ask before it ends, it must be extended to at least 28 clear days.
- Tell the firm if you or anyone in your home is vulnerable; agents must take it into account.
- If an agent is at the door now, follow bailiff at the door.
Contacting The Sheriffs Office
Use the contact and payment details on the firm’s official website: https://www.thesheriffsoffice.com/pay-online, or the details on your notice. My Debt Cleared is not connected with The Sheriffs Office. We cannot see or change your case.
Complaining about The Sheriffs Office
Complain to The Sheriffs Office first, in writing, and to the council or creditor that instructed it. If you are not happy with The Sheriffs Office’s final response, you can complain to the Enforcement Conduct Board, free. For High Court enforcement, the High Court Enforcement Officers Association can also look at complaints about its members. For a certificated enforcement agent, you can complain to the County Court that issued the certificate using form EAC2. If a council instructed it, you can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman about the council’s handling. How to complain about a bailiff.
Sources for this page
- www.thesheriffsoffice.com/about_us
- www.thesheriffsoffice.com/services
- find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06422666/persons-with-significa
- www.thelawyer.com/the-sheriffs-office-acquired-by-high-court-enforcement-group/
- enforcementconductboard.org/directory/
- www.civea.co.uk/members
- www.hceoa.org.uk/choosing-a-hceo/find-a-member
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.
Common questions
Can The Sheriffs Office force entry?
Not for most debts. For council tax, parking penalties and County Court Judgments, enforcement agents cannot force their way into your home. Force is only allowed in limited cases, such as some criminal fines and income tax, or if you have broken a controlled goods agreement.
Is The Sheriffs Office legit?
Yes, The Sheriffs Office is a real High Court enforcement company. Check any agent’s identity, and pay only through official channels.
How much can The Sheriffs Office charge?
Fees are set by law. For most debts from 1 May 2026: £79 at the compliance stage, £247 plus 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 once an agent visits, and £116 plus 7.5% above £1,900 at the sale stage. High Court enforcement uses a different scale.
How do I complain about The Sheriffs Office?
Complain to the firm and to whoever instructed it first. If you are not happy with the response, you can go to the Enforcement Conduct Board. You can also complain to the court about a certificated agent using form EAC2.