South East Enforcement: what a letter means and what to do

South East Enforcement describes itself as a specialist in evictions and court enforcement for landlords and creditors, not a council bailiff firm. If you rent your home, the most urgent thing is to find out which court order the firm is acting under and when. This guide covers England and Wales.

Who are South East Enforcement?

The firm is registered at Companies House as SOUTH EAST ENFORCEMENT LTD, company number 06842488. It is an active private limited company, incorporated on 10 March 2009 as Haddon’s Bailiffs Ltd and renamed in February 2016, with its registered office in Wickford, Essex. One individual holds 75% or more of the voting rights. Its website footer gives the same Wickford base.

South East Enforcement Limited has been accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) since October 2023; the ECB register lists it with a Chislehurst, Kent address. It is not on the CIVEA corporate members list. The ECB is independent but voluntary; there is no statutory regulator for bailiffs yet, although in August 2026 the government announced plans to make ECB oversight compulsory.

Why might South East Enforcement be contacting you?

The firm lists squatter and unauthorised occupier evictions, residential tenant evictions, traveller evictions, money judgment enforcement, commercial lease forfeitures, commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR), security and investigations.

• Residential eviction. A landlord needs a court possession order, then a warrant or writ of possession, before bailiffs can evict. See what to do about rent arrears and get advice straight away.
• A High Court writ of control. The firm says it enforces County Court Judgments over £600 by transferring them to the High Court, with writs issued in the name of its principal officer. See what High Court enforcement officers can do.
• Commercial rent or forfeiture. These affect business tenants. CRAR only applies to commercial premises, not a home.

What can South East Enforcement do, and what can it not do?

The same law applies as to every bailiff in England and Wales:

• You must get a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before an agent can take control of your goods, or at least 28 clear days if a debt adviser asks on your behalf. The firm’s money judgment page still describes the 7-day notice and £75 compliance fee that applied to cases started before 1 May 2026.
• High Court fees are fixed by law: £79 at the compliance stage, then £200 plus 7.5% of the debt above £1,200 for a first visit, with further fees for a second visit and sale. Our guide to what bailiffs can and cannot do has the full table.
• Agents cannot force their way into your home to take goods for an ordinary court debt, and cannot take essentials, work tools together worth less than £1,350, or other people’s belongings.
• A judgment on a regulated consumer credit agreement, such as a loan or credit card, can only be enforced in the County Court.

What should you do now?

1. Find out which order the firm is acting under: a possession order, a writ of control or a lease.
2. Check the court, claim number, creditor and amount. If you never knew about the claim, see how to remove or set aside a CCJ.
3. Contact the firm and the creditor or landlord before the notice period ends. Offer what you can afford and get any agreement in writing.
4. If you cannot pay a High Court writ, you can ask the High Court to pause (stay) it. The HCEO guide explains how.
5. Get free, impartial advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange, Citizens Advice or National Debtline. See where to get free debt advice, and debt solutions compared if you have other debts.

How do you complain about South East Enforcement?

1. Complain to the firm in writing first and ask for its complaints procedure. We could not find one published on its website.
2. Complain to the landlord or creditor that instructed it.
3. Because the firm is ECB accredited, you can complain to the ECB within 3 months of becoming aware of the problem, or within 1 month of the firm’s final response.
4. For High Court work you can use the High Court Enforcement Officers Association’s complaint form, and for serious misconduct by a certificated agent you can complain to the court on form EAC2.

Is the letter genuine?

A genuine High Court notice names the court, the claim number and the High Court enforcement officer, and you can look up officers on the HCEOA’s find a member page. Use contact details from your court papers, ask any agent for identification, and check certificated agents on the official register. Our guide to dealing with debt collectors covers your wider rights.