Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013

Overview of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. The detailed rules governing how enforcement agents operate.

Legislation

The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 set out the detailed rules for how enforcement agents must operate when taking control of goods. They work alongside the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 to create the modern enforcement framework.

What the Regulations Cover

The regulations provide detailed rules on:

Notice requirements and timescales
When and how entry can be made
What goods are exempt
How goods should be valued
The sale process
Fees and charges
Forms and notices

Notice of Enforcement

The 14 Clear Day Rule

Before taking control of goods, a Notice of Enforcement must be given. At least 14 clear days must pass between notice and enforcement.

What Notice Must Include

The name of the debtor
The amount owed
The enforcement agent's details
How and when to pay
What will happen if payment isn't made

Entry to Premises

Permitted Times

Entry to premises is only allowed:

Between 6am and 9pm
Any day of the week (including weekends)

Entry outside these hours requires court permission.

Methods of Entry

Residential premises: On a first visit, entry can only be through an open door or with permission. No forcing entry.

Business premises: Agents can enter through any usual means of entry if open or unlocked.

Re-entry: After lawful entry has been made, rules for subsequent entry are different.

Exempt Goods

The regulations specify goods that cannot be taken:

Domestic Essentials

Items reasonably required for basic domestic needs:

Beds and bedding
Household furniture
Heating and cooking equipment
Basic household items

Tools of Trade

Items necessary for work, up to £1,350 aggregate value.

Other Protected Items

Goods on hire purchase
Items belonging to third parties
Goods needed for medical purposes
Certain vehicles (in limited circumstances)

Controlled Goods Agreements

Regulations govern when and how goods can be left under a CGA:

What the agreement must contain
Debtor's obligations
Consequences of breach
How control continues

Valuation

Goods must be valued fairly - at what they would fetch on the open market, not replacement value.

Sale of Goods

If goods must be sold:

Reasonable steps to get the best price
Public auction is normal
Proper notice of sale
Distribution of proceeds

Fees

The regulations (along with the Fees Regulations 2014) set what can be charged:

Compliance stage fees
Enforcement stage fees
Sale stage fees
Disbursements

Agents cannot charge more than the regulated amounts.

Forms and Notices

Specific forms are prescribed for:

Notice of Enforcement
Controlled Goods Agreements
Inventories
Sale notices

Using incorrect forms can invalidate enforcement.

Relationship to the Act

The regulations work under the authority of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. The Act provides the legal powers; the regulations provide the detail.

Enforcement of Different Debts

While the basic framework is the same, some debt types have variations:

Council tax and business rates
Road traffic debts
HMRC debts
Child maintenance

These may have slightly different rules in places.

Finding the Regulations

The full text is available on legislation.gov.uk. They're technical documents but useful for understanding exactly what's required.

Practical Importance

These regulations determine:

Whether enforcement was lawful
Whether fees are correct
What debtors' rights are
What grounds exist for complaints

Both creditors and debtors benefit from understanding them. For a broader look at how these regulations sit within the legislative framework, see our enforcement law reference.

This article provides general information about the Taking Control of Goods Regulations. It is not legal advice. For detailed interpretation of the regulations, seek appropriate professional advice.

Last updated 24 September 2026