Smaller Debts Predominantly Drive Bailiff Visits, According to Data from England and Wales
Data from England and Wales shows that every year, tens of thousands of individuals have bailiffs visit their homes due to unpaid water bills initiated by water companies.
According to information released by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee, a significant number of these visits are for debts under £1,000. Bailiffs, who are court-appointed debt collectors, have the authority to confiscate items such as electronics, jewelry, or vehicles from debtors.
The likelihood of a water company dispatching bailiffs varies significantly by location. For instance, Wessex Water has not employed bailiffs for the past decade, whereas, in 2025, South West Water, Southern Water, and Yorkshire Water were among the most frequent users of bailiff services on a population-adjusted basis.
Looking at specific cases, Yorkshire Water’s use of bailiffs increased dramatically from 405 instances in the 2016-17 financial year to 6,124 visits in 2024-25.
Other water companies also reported high levels of bailiff usage. Severn Trent called on bailiffs 11,574 times in 2022, while Southern Water used the services of 15,707 bailiffs in 2019.
Variability in Water Companies’ Policies on Debt Recovery
The criteria for dispatching debt collectors vary widely among water companies. Northumbrian Water, for instance, reported to the committee that it does not send bailiffs to homes where residents receive means-tested benefits. On the other hand, Southern Water considers such customers eligible for litigation, while Severn Trent does not check if someone receives means-tested benefits before sending bailiffs. However, Southern Water does set some boundaries, such as not pursuing customers suffering from dementia or critical illnesses.
Labour MP John McDonnell criticized the practice, especially in light of legal infractions by the water companies themselves. He contrasted the scarce prosecution of water company directors with the frequent targeting of primarily low-income individuals by bailiffs.
Some water companies have expressed intentions to reserve bailiff use for cases where individuals are able to pay but choose not to. However, the water sector itself faces substantial debt challenges, exceeding £80 billion, which critics argue hampers their ability to invest adequately in infrastructure. Additionally, these companies face £200 million in environmental fines related to illegal sewage discharges.
Committee and Company Responses to Bailiff Usage
Alistair Carmichael MP, chair of the Efra committee, noted the concern over the varying extent of bailiff use and emphasized the need for companies to adopt more compassionate practices, particularly considering the recent economic shocks affecting households. The committee has forwarded these findings to Citizens Advice and the Consumer Council for Water for further examination.
Spokespeople from various water companies have commented on their respective policies. Yorkshire Water highlighted its approach to assess vulnerability and provide support early on, with enforcement as a last resort. Southern Water underscored its efforts to assist struggling customers through social tariff schemes and significant investment plans to enhance service quality and environmental protection.
Similarly, a spokesperson from South West Water reiterated that enforcement is only used as a last resort, focusing primarily on supporting customers in financial hardship. Severn Trent also emphasized its doubled financial support for customers, with bailiffs used sparingly and never against vulnerable or financially struggling customers.
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