1) The following articles belonging to a debtor shall be exempt from distress at the instance of a creditor in respect of a debt due to him by the debtor-
a) clothing reasonably required for the use of the debtor or any member of the debtor's household;
b) implements, tools of trade, books or other equipment including a car or van reasonably required for the use of the debtor or any member of the debtor's household in the practice of the debtor's or such member's profession, trade or business, not exceeding in aggregate value £1,000 or such amount as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Lord Chancellor;
c) medical aids or medical equipment reasonably required for the use of the debtor or any member of his household;
d) books or other articles including a computer reasonably required for the education or training of the debtor or any member of the debtor's household not exceeding in aggregate value £1,000 or such amount as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Lord Chancellor;
e) toys for the use of any child who is a member of the debtor's household;
f) articles reasonably required for the care or upbringing of a child who is a member of the debtor's household.
2) The following articles belonging to a debtor shall be exempt from distress if they are at the time of the distress in a dwellinghouse and are reasonably required for the use in the dwellinghouse of the person residing there or a member of the household-
a) beds or bedding;
b) household linen;
c) chairs or settees;
d) tables;
e) food;
f) lights or light fittings;
g) heating appliances;
h) curtains;
i) floor coverings;
j) furniture, equipment or utensils used for cooking storing or eating food;
k) refrigerators;
l) articles used for cleaning, mending, or pressing clothes;
m) articles used for cleaning the dwellinghouse;
n) furniture used for storing-
(i) clothing, bedding or household linen;
(ii) articles used for cleaning the dwellinghouse; or
(iii) utensils used for cooking or eating food;
o) articles used for safety in the dwellinghouse or of household articles.
3) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations add to the list set out in subsection (2) above, or delete or vary any of the items contained in that list.
We consider that under 1(b) and 1(d) the preferable aggregate value might be £1500.
Such tools, books, vehicles and other items of equipment as are necessary for use personally by the tenant in their employment, business or vocation and such clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and provisions are as necessary for satisfying the basic domestic needs of the debtor and his family.
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