If we need to collect money owed

If you have outstanding Council Tax or business rates payments, or unpaid penalty charge notices, and have received a liability order, this may be passed onto an enforcement agency or bailiffs.

What happens at the visit

An enforcement agent will be instructed to visit you to 'take control of goods'.

When the visit takes place, you'll be charged a further fixed fee of £235. This fee will be added to your balance, as well as 7.5% for any balance due above £1,500.

This visit will also take place if you defaulted on an arrangement given during the compliance stage. The agent will ask for full payment. However, if you cannot do this, they will normally make a repayment arrangement with you.

If your vehicle is clamped during this visit, there is a period of 2 hours where payment can be made in full.  If full payment is not received within the 2 hours, the vehicle may be removed at further cost (see below).

Tampering with, or removal of clamps from a seized vehicle is an offence and will be reported to the police.

Controlled goods agreement

Obstructing an enforcement agent or interfering with controlled goods is an offence for which you can be arrested.

The agent may enter into a controlled goods agreement. This is when the agent will list your possessions that are equal to the value of your debt.

You cannot dispose of or sell any possessions that are subject to a controlled goods agreement without the enforcement agent's permission.

If you do not sign the controlled goods agreement

The enforcement agent can take your goods while at your property.

If a removal of goods process starts, you will incur additional costs of £110 plus 7.5% for any balance due above £1,500. Further costs such as storage and auction fees may also be charged.

Sale of goods

You'll be charged a one-off fee of £110 when:

  • your good are first transported to a place where they will be sold, up to a completed of sale
  • the goods are subject of a signed controlled goods agreement will be removed first

This fee can be applied on the same day as the first attendance for enforcement by an enforcement agent where the debtor refuses to pay or enter into a Controlled Goods Agreement, and the only remaining remedy is the removal of goods.

The enforcement agent must give the debtor the opportunity to pay, or enter into a controlled goods agreement, prior to any commencement of removal.

An extra 7.5% can be charged for liability order(s)/warrant(s) where the total is over £1,500.

Auctioneer, locksmith and storage charges

Stage Amount When the charge is applied
Disbursements Reasonably incurred ad hoc costs Locksmith charges, storage charges
Auctioneer Not to exceed:
 
  • 15% of the sum realised
  • 7.5% of the sum realised
  • 7.5% of the sum realised
 
  • Where sold at public auction
  • Where sold on site
  • Where sold via internet auction