Enforcement agents (formerly known as bailiffs)
From 6 April 2014, we can instruct an enforcement agent to collect outstanding council tax and business rates debt from you if a liability order has been issued in your name.
We will do this either if you have not made, or not kept to an agreed repayment plan, or you have not completed and returned the personal information form sent to you.
The enforcement agent will contact you to arrange payment either in full or by instalments. You must answer their letters, emails or calls and arrange payment.
The process for new cases must start with the issuing of a Notice of Enforcement. This carries a statutory fee of £79 which is added to the balance that the Enforcement Agent Team have been instructed to collect.
For instructions received by the Enforcement Agent office on or after 1 May 2026 and in accordance with the amended regulations 2026 the statutory fee is £79. This is known as the Compliance Fee.
At this stage you are encouraged to pay the total sum due in full or if you cannot do that to contact the Enforcement Agent Office to discuss your account.
What happens if the enforcement agent can't collect the money owed
If the enforcement agent can’t collect what you owe and there are not enough goods to take to cover the amount owed, we may:
- commence insolvency proceedings through the County Court to make you bankrupt
- apply to the County Court for a charging order on your property that allows us to force its sale or repay your council tax out of the proceeds of any future sale. This will also result in you paying additional fees
- as a last resort, we may apply for a warrant of commitment to send you to prison - this means you will have to attend court to explain your financial circumstances and reasons why you have not paid. If you do not go to court you will be arrested and brought to court. If you are found guilty, you could face a prison sentence of up to 90 days