Exempt goods
This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum
4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and to regulation 5, the following goods of the debtor are exempt goods—
(a)items or equipment (for example, tools, books, telephones, computer equipment and vehicles) which are necessary for use personally by the debtor in the debtor’s employment, business, trade, profession, study or education, except that in any case the aggregate value of the items or equipment to which this exemption is applied shall not exceed £1,350;
(b)such clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment, items and provisions as are reasonably required to satisfy the basic domestic needs of the debtor and every member of the debtor’s household, including (but not restricted to)—
(i)a cooker or microwave;
(ii)a refrigerator;
(iii)a washing machine;
(iv)a dining table large enough, and sufficient dining chairs, to seat the debtor and every member of the debtor’s household;
(v)beds and bedding sufficient for the debtor and every member of the debtor’s household;
(vi)one landline telephone, or if there is no landline telephone at the premises, a mobile or internet telephone which may be used by the debtor or a member of the debtor’s household;
(vii)any item or equipment reasonably required for—
(aa)the medical care of the debtor or any member of the debtor’s household;
(bb)safety in the dwelling-house; or
(cc)the security of the dwelling-house (for example, an alarm system) or security in the dwelling-house;
(viii)sufficient lamps or stoves, or other appliance designed to provide lighting or heating facilities, to satisfy the basic heating and lighting needs of the debtor’s household; and
(ix)any item or equipment reasonably required for the care of—
(aa)a person under the age of 18;
(bb)a disabled person; or
(cc)an older person;
(c)assistance dogs (including guide dogs, hearing dogs and dogs for disabled persons), sheep dogs, guard dogs or domestic pets;
(d)a vehicle on which a valid disabled person’s badge is displayed because it is used for, or in relation to which there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is used for, the carriage of a disabled person;
(e)a vehicle (whether in public ownership or not) which is being used for, or in relation to which there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is used for, police, fire or ambulance purposes; and
(f)a vehicle displaying a valid British Medical Association badge or other health emergency badge because it is being used for, or in relation to which there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is used for, health emergency purposes.
(2) Paragraph (1)(a) does not apply where the debt is being enforced under—
(i)section 62A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988();
(ii)section 54 of the Land Drainage Act 1991();
(iii)paragraph 12 of Schedule 15 to the Water Resources Act 1991(); or
(iv)section 127 of the Finance Act 2008().