When enforcement action is used
We would prefer not to use enforcement agents to collect Council Tax. Nevertheless we will not hesitate to do so if you:
- have not responded to earlier recovery action
- have responded, but have failed to keep strictly to arrangements
We make special efforts to be sensitive to vulnerable people – for example pensioners and disabled people.
GOV.UK has guidance on what you can do if a bailiff (enforcement agent) visits your home.
If you can pay back the debt then contact us and ask us to withdraw the enforcement agent. You should not offer to repay the debt at a rate you cannot afford.
Enforcement action fees
If you have a current case where you have no paid your Council Tax bill and enforcement action is necessary – you will be subject to fees. These fees are fixed and set by the government.
To avoid these fees you must make sure that you keep to any payment arrangement that have been agreed.
1. Compliance stage fee
A fee of £75 is due as soon as the case is received by the enforcement agent and covers all activity up to the commencement of the enforcement stage.
2. Enforcement stage fee
This stage includes all activity from the agents attendance first to your premises in relation to the instruction.
A fee of £235 plus 7.5% of the value of the original debt which exceeds £1,500 is payable.
3. Sale stage fee
£110 plus 7.5% of the value of the original debt which exceeds £1,500.
This stage commences with the first attendance at the property for the purpose of transporting goods to the place of sale.
How to complain about an enforcement agent
However hard we try, occasionally things go wrong – help us to put them right.
You may want to complain if you think we have:
- not treated you fairly
- not treated you politely
- not done something you think we should have done
- done something badly