What happens if I miss a Council Tax payment?
If you miss a Council Tax payment, your council will normally send you a reminder giving you an opportunity to bring your account up to date.
If you continue to miss payments, further recovery action can follow.
GOV.UK says that you can receive a maximum of two reminder notices during a financial year. If you miss a payment for a third time, the council can issue a final notice requiring you to pay the full year's Council Tax. If the amount is not paid, the council can take legal action to recover the debt.
The exact process can vary between councils, so don't ignore correspondence even if you're currently unable to pay.
Can the council take me to court for Council Tax arrears?
Yes.
If you have unpaid Council Tax, the council can apply to the magistrates' court for a liability order.
A liability order is a legal demand for payment and gives the council additional ways of recovering the money you owe. Court costs can also be added to your account.
Once a liability order has been obtained, the council can consider several enforcement options.
These can include:
- Taking deductions from certain benefits
- Asking your employer to deduct money from your wages
- Using enforcement agents to recover the debt
- Taking further legal action in appropriate circumstances
Getting a liability order does not necessarily mean that a bailiff will immediately visit your home.
What is a Council Tax bailiff?
A Council Tax bailiff is usually an enforcement agent instructed by the council to recover unpaid Council Tax.
The council can refer the debt to an enforcement agent after obtaining the appropriate legal authority.
The enforcement agent will normally send you a "Notice of Enforcement" before visiting you. This gives you an opportunity to pay the debt or make an arrangement before enforcement progresses.
Once enforcement agents become involved, their statutory fees can be added to the amount you owe.
Which bailiff company is dealing with my Council Tax?
If your Council Tax arrears have been passed to an enforcement agent, the name of the company dealing with your case should appear on your Notice of Enforcement or other correspondence.
We have guides covering a number of the enforcement companies used to collect Council Tax and other debts.
Find your enforcement company:
CDER Group | Bristow & Sutor | Marston Holdings | Rundles | Jacobs | Whyte & Co | Andrew James Bailiffs | Equita |
If you know the name of the enforcement company contacting you, select it above to read our detailed guide to their enforcement powers, fees and what you can do if they visit your home.
How much can Council Tax bailiffs charge?
The statutory fees for enforcement agents changed on 1 May 2026.
For non-High Court enforcement, the current statutory fees are:
|
Council Tax bailiff fees from 1 May 2026
|
|
Stage of collection
|
Bailiff Action
|
Fixed Fee
|
% Fee (over £1900 only)
|
|
Compliance
|
Sending you an enforcement notice through the post, requesting payment.
|
£79
|
0%
|
|
Enforcement
|
Visiting your home or business premises to take control of goods.
|
£247
|
7.5%
|
|
Sale of Goods
|
Removing and selling your goods/belongings.
|
£116
|
7.5%
|
Where the debt exceeds £1,900, an additional 7.5% percentage fee can apply to the amount above £1,900 at the relevant enforcement and sale/disposal stages.
This means that ignoring an enforcement notice can make your Council Tax arrears considerably more expensive.
If you believe an enforcement agent has charged an incorrect fee, you can challenge the charge.
How long do I have before a bailiff visits?
An enforcement agent cannot normally take control of your goods until the required notice period has expired.
The enforcement process was changed in 2026, including changes to the notice period and the circumstances in which enforcement can progress.
You should therefore check the date on your Notice of Enforcement carefully rather than assuming that a bailiff can simply turn up immediately after you receive a letter.
If you receive a Notice of Enforcement, dealing with it at the compliance stage is generally the best way to avoid the additional costs associated with a physical enforcement visit.
Can Council Tax bailiffs enter my home?
This is one of the most common questions people ask.
For Council Tax enforcement in England and Wales, an enforcement agent does not automatically have the right to force their way into your home simply because you owe Council Tax.
There are specific legal rules governing entry and taking control of goods.
You should not assume, however, that an enforcement agent can never enter your property. Their powers depend on the circumstances and the stage reached in the enforcement process.
If an enforcement agent attempts to enter your home, you can ask them to explain their authority and show appropriate identification and documentation.
If you believe an agent is attempting to enter unlawfully, threatening you or behaving improperly, you can make a complaint. GOV.UK provides guidance on complaining about bailiffs who break the rules.
Can a bailiff take my car for Council Tax arrears?
Yes, a vehicle can potentially be taken into control to recover Council Tax arrears.
This is particularly important if your car is parked outside your home or on the road.
However, enforcement agents cannot simply take every vehicle they find. There are legal exemptions and restrictions concerning goods that can be taken.
For example, certain vehicles used by disabled people and certain emergency or medical vehicles are protected. There are also protections relating to goods that are subject to hire purchase or leasing arrangements and certain items required for employment or business purposes.
If you're worried that your vehicle may be taken, don't wait until an enforcement agent arrives before looking into your options.
Can bailiffs take a car on finance?
This can depend on the type of finance agreement and who legally owns the vehicle.
Goods subject to certain hire purchase, conditional sale or leasing arrangements can be protected from being taken as the debtor's goods.
However, you should not simply assume that a vehicle on finance is automatically protected.
If your vehicle is subject to finance and an enforcement agent is threatening to take it, check your finance agreement and obtain appropriate advice about your specific circumstances.
Can bailiffs take my car if I need it for work?
There are protections for certain goods that are reasonably required for personal use in employment, business, trade, profession, study or education.
However, these protections have limits, and the fact that you use a vehicle to travel to work does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is automatically exempt.
If your vehicle is essential to your work, explain this to the enforcement agent and provide evidence if necessary.
The rules concerning exempt goods are set out in the Taking Control of Goods legislation.
Can bailiffs clamp my car?
An enforcement agent may be able to take control of a vehicle as part of the enforcement process.
Taking control of a vehicle is not necessarily the same thing as immediately removing it.
An enforcement agent may identify and take control of goods, including a vehicle, and the enforcement process can then proceed according to the applicable rules.
If your vehicle has been clamped or otherwise taken into control, don't attempt to remove the clamp or interfere with the enforcement process. Instead, establish exactly what debt is being enforced, what fees have been added and what options are available to resolve the situation.
How many times can Council Tax bailiffs visit?
There isn't a simple rule saying that a bailiff can only visit your home a particular number of times.
The number of visits can depend on the circumstances of the case and what happens during the enforcement process.
For example, an enforcement agent may attend to attempt to obtain payment, make an arrangement or take control of goods.
The important point is that each stage of enforcement has legal requirements and fees. A visit does not give an enforcement agent unlimited powers to behave however they want.
If you believe an enforcement agent is making excessive visits, behaving aggressively or breaching the applicable rules, you can complain to the enforcement company and the council that instructed them.
What happens when a Council Tax bailiff visits?
When an enforcement agent visits, they may attempt to:
- Collect payment in full
- Agree a payment arrangement
- Take control of goods
- Identify goods that could potentially be removed and sold if the debt remains unpaid
The purpose of enforcement is normally to recover the outstanding debt rather than simply to remove possessions.
If you can afford to resolve the debt at this stage, doing so can prevent the case progressing to further enforcement and additional costs.
What should I do if a bailiff comes to my door?
Try to remain calm.
You should:
- Ask for the enforcement agent's identification
- Ask which council the debt relates to
- Ask for the enforcement reference number
- Check the amount being claimed
- Ask for a breakdown of the debt and fees
- Keep records of communications and visits
- Explain any relevant circumstances, including vulnerability
- Consider whether you can make a realistic payment arrangement
You should not threaten or physically confront an enforcement agent.
If you believe the agent has broken the rules, you can make a formal complaint.
What if I cannot afford to pay the bailiff?
Don't ignore the debt.
Contact the council and/or enforcement company as soon as possible and explain your financial circumstances.
GOV.UK advises people struggling with Council Tax arrears to contact their council. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to get Council Tax Reduction, a discount or an exemption. You may also be able to ask your council about spreading payments over 12 months rather than the usual 10.
If you have other debts as well as Council Tax arrears, you should consider getting independent debt advice.
Can Council Tax arrears be written off?
Council Tax arrears do not simply disappear because you cannot afford them.
However, depending on your circumstances, there may be formal debt solutions or other arrangements that can help you deal with your debts.
The appropriate option depends on factors such as:
- Your income
- Your household expenditure
- Your other debts
- Whether you own your home
- Your savings and other assets
- Your employment situation
- Where in the UK you live
Before entering into a formal debt solution, get advice about how it would affect you.
Can Council Tax arrears affect my credit rating?
Council Tax arrears are not normally reported to the credit reference agencies in the same way as credit cards and loans.
However, this does not mean that Council Tax arrears are harmless.
Your council can use legal enforcement powers to recover the debt, and enforcement fees can increase the amount you owe.
Council Tax should therefore be treated as a priority debt.
What if I've received a letter from a bailiff?
Don't ignore it.
The most important thing is to establish exactly what stage the enforcement has reached.
Check:
Who is the enforcement company?
Make sure you know which company has been instructed and which council the debt relates to.
How much do you owe?
Check the original Council Tax debt and any enforcement fees that have been added.
Has a liability order been obtained?
The council normally needs a liability order before using enforcement agents to recover Council Tax arrears.
What date is on the Notice of Enforcement?
This is important when establishing what enforcement action can legally take place and when.
Can you afford to pay or make an arrangement?
If you can resolve the debt before enforcement progresses, this can prevent further fees being added.
What if a bailiff has already visited?
If an enforcement agent has already attended your property, find out exactly what happened during the visit.
In particular, establish whether:
- Goods were taken into control
- A Controlled Goods Agreement was made
- A payment arrangement was agreed
- A vehicle was identified
- Further enforcement action was threatened
- Additional fees were added
Do not ignore the situation because the agent has already visited.
The 2026 changes to the enforcement regulations were intended, among other things, to give debtors further opportunities to pay or enter into arrangements before enforcement escalates in certain circumstances.
What goods can a Council Tax bailiff take?
Enforcement agents are subject to rules about which goods they can take.
Generally, goods belonging to someone else should not be taken. There are also exemptions covering certain essential household items, items needed for employment and certain vehicles.
For example, regulations provide protection for certain items reasonably required for employment, business, trade, profession, study or education, subject to the applicable rules.
If an enforcement agent attempts to take something that you believe belongs to another person or is exempt, tell them and provide evidence where possible.
What goods can't a Council Tax bailiff take?
There are several categories of protected goods.
These can include certain:
- Essential household items
- Items required for employment or business
- Goods belonging solely to another person
- Vehicles displaying a valid disabled person's badge in relevant circumstances
- Certain emergency-service vehicles
- Goods subject to certain hire purchase or leasing arrangements
The precise exemptions depend on the circumstances and the applicable legislation.
What if the bailiff is breaking the rules?
You have the right to complain if you believe an enforcement agent has acted improperly.
Examples include:
- Threatening or harassing you
- Trying to enter your home unlawfully
- Charging incorrect fees
- Taking goods belonging to someone else
- Taking goods that should be exempt
GOV.UK recommends complaining both to the enforcement company and to the organisation that instructed the bailiff.
Keep copies of letters, emails and other correspondence. If appropriate, record the date and time of visits and what happened.
Council Tax arrears and vulnerable people
If someone in your household is vulnerable, tell the council and enforcement company as soon as possible.
Vulnerability can be relevant to how enforcement should be carried out and how your circumstances should be considered.
Don't assume that the enforcement agent already knows about your circumstances.
Explain the situation clearly and provide supporting evidence where appropriate.
Can I stop Council Tax bailiffs?
Sometimes action taken early can prevent the case progressing.
If you have received a Notice of Enforcement, the most important thing is to act before an enforcement agent attends.
Depending on your circumstances, possible options may include:
- Paying the debt in full
- Agreeing an affordable payment arrangement
- Applying for Council Tax Reduction
- Checking whether you qualify for a discount or exemption
- Challenging an incorrect bill
- Seeking independent debt advice
If an enforcement agent has already visited, the options can be more limited, but you should still deal with the situation rather than ignoring it.
Council Tax arrears: what should you do now?
If you're behind with Council Tax, don't wait for the problem to get worse.
Start by finding out exactly how much you owe and what stage of recovery your account has reached.
If the debt is still with the council, contact them as soon as possible.
If enforcement agents have already been instructed, check your Notice of Enforcement and establish what you need to do to prevent further enforcement.
And if Council Tax arrears are just one of several debts you're struggling with, getting independent debt advice can help you understand the options available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Council Tax Debt
Yes. A council can instruct enforcement agents to recover unpaid Council Tax after the appropriate legal process has been followed.
There are specific legal rules governing entry. An enforcement agent does not simply have an unrestricted right to force entry because you owe Council Tax.
Yes, a vehicle can potentially be taken into control, although legal exemptions and restrictions apply.
A vehicle can potentially be taken into control as part of enforcement action. The circumstances and applicable rules matter.
A TV may potentially be taken as part of enforcement action, although enforcement agents must follow the rules about which goods can and cannot be taken. Essential household goods and certain other items are protected.
For non-High Court enforcement, the standard fees from 1 May 2026 are £79 for compliance, £247 for enforcement and £116 for sale/disposal, with additional percentage fees potentially applying above £1,900.
There isn't a simple fixed number of visits that applies in every case. The enforcement agent's actions must comply with the applicable enforcement rules.
Not automatically. Depending on your circumstances, there may be formal debt solutions or arrangements that can help.
Yes, you can ask to set up a payment plan with enforcement agents (commonly known as bailiffs), but they are not legally forced to accept your offer.
If the bailiff is refusing to accept a repayment plan from you, call the FREE Bailiff Helpline on 0800 3688 286 (freephone, including all mobiles).
No. Ignoring enforcement correspondence can allow the case to progress and increase the amount you owe.
