England and Wales

Controlled goods agreement explained

Understand what a controlled goods agreement means during enforcement and why you should get advice before agreeing to terms you cannot maintain.

A controlled goods agreement is used during enforcement when goods are placed under legal control while usually remaining at the premises, subject to an agreed payment arrangement. Breaching the agreement can lead to further enforcement action, so do not agree to payments you cannot realistically maintain.

What the agreement does

The agreement records goods that have been taken into legal control and the terms on which they may remain with the debtor while payments are made. It is part of the taking-control-of-goods framework.

Why affordability matters

An unaffordable arrangement is likely to fail and can lead to escalation. Before signing, understand the goods listed, payment dates and consequences of default.

2026 enforcement changes

The 2026 amendments changed parts of the enforcement fee and escalation framework, including rules around progression between High Court enforcement stages. This is why older online fee tables may now be out of date.

Related guidance

Important: This page provides general information, not regulated financial or legal advice. Rules and enforcement processes can depend on the debt, court, creditor and jurisdiction.