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- Written By Bailiff Help Editorial Team
- Last Updated: 17 September 2026
Bailiff Fees and Costs Explained
When you receive a letter from bailiffs, the original debt you owe suddenly feels much larger. That is because bailiff fees are added to your debt at different stages of the enforcement process. For many people dealing with council tax arrears or court fines, these additional charges can feel overwhelming.
You are not alone in feeling anxious about bailiffs and the costs involved. Every year, thousands of people across the UK face enforcement action, and the fees can quickly spiral if you do not understand how they work. At Bailiff Help, we support people just like you to understand their rights, reduce enforcement pressure, and find realistic ways forward. Bailiff Help has helped over 1,000 stop bailiff action. Rated 4.9 on Feefo by verified clients.
Bailiff Fees and Costs
Summary
Bailiff fees are strictly regulated under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, amended from 1 May 2026.
For County Court bailiffs, council tax and CRAR, there are three fixed fees: £79 compliance, £247 enforcement visit, and £116 sale. An additional 7.5% applies to the portion of debt above £1,900.
Cases that were passed to the enforcement company before 1 May 2026 stay on the old scale: £75, £235 and £110, with the percentage fee applying above £1,500.
High Court enforcement officers follow a four-stage structure with higher fees. Understanding which set applies to you helps you check your bill and challenge incorrect charges. Bailiff Help can assess your situation and explain your options before fees escalate further.
What are bailiff fees and Why are they added?
When creditors cannot get payment from you directly, they may instruct bailiffs to recover the money. Bailiffs, properly called enforcement agents, carry out this work professionally, and like any business, they charge for their services.
The law sets out these charges very clearly. The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 came into effect on 6 April 2014, replacing an older system that allowed more discretion. The Ministry of Justice introduced these regulations to make bailiff costs transparent and stop agents from charging excessive amounts. The fees were increased for the first time on 1 May 2026.
Bailiff fees may be added for:
Sending a formal Notice of Enforcement
Attending your property
Removing and selling goods in limited situations
These charges stack on top of what you originally owed. A £600 council tax debt can quickly become £926 once compliance and enforcement fees are included. That is why early action is so important.
Here is what many people do not realise. Once your debt is with bailiffs, the meter is already running. Even if no one has knocked on your door yet, you are probably being charged the first fee. The longer you wait, the higher the total climbs.
Bailiff Help steps in at this crucial point. We can talk to bailiffs on your behalf, set up payment terms that actually work for your budget, and challenge any fees that should not be there. Acting now could save you hundreds of pounds.
How much do bailiffs charge? Quick answer
For most debts, council tax, County Court warrants, parking fines and commercial rent — bailiffs can charge a maximum of three fixed fees totalling £442, plus a percentage fee on larger debts.
| Stage | Cases from 1 May 2026 | Cases before 1 May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance (writing to you) | £79 | £75 |
| Enforcement (visiting you) | £247 | £235 |
| Sale (taking and selling goods) | £116 | £110 |
| Total fixed fees | £442 | £420 |
| Percentage fee (7.5%) applies above | £1,900 | £1,500 |
Which column applies to you? It depends on when your case was passed to the enforcement company, not on today’s date. Cases lodged before 1 May 2026 continue on the old scale until they finish. Check the date on your Notice of Enforcement — and if you’re not sure, send us the paperwork and we’ll tell you which applies.
Do I Have to Pay Bailiff Fees?
In most cases yes, bailiff fees are legally recoverable and are added to your debt. But there are real situations where you do not have to pay them.
You should not be charged bailiff fees if:
The debt isn’t yours. If you can show the debt belongs to someone else, or to a previous occupant of your address, fees cannot be charged to you.
The bailiffs can’t collect. If they decide you have nothing they can sell and return the case to the creditor, fees may not be pursued.
Correct notice wasn’t given. Most fees depend on a valid Notice of Enforcement having been served properly.
The stage never happened. You cannot be charged a sale fee if nothing was removed for sale, or an enforcement fee if no visit took place.
You’re vulnerable and weren’t given a chance to get advice. Bailiffs must follow extra rules for vulnerable people, which can include allowing you to seek advice before fees are charged.
- They’re charging VAT. Bailiffs cannot charge you VAT on their fees.
You also should not be paying more than one enforcement fee or more than one sale fee, however many debts are being collected — see below.
If any of these apply to your bill, you can challenge the charges. Bailiff Help can review your paperwork and take this up with the creditor on your behalf.
If You Have More Than One Debt
This is where overcharging most often happens, and it’s worth checking carefully.
The £79 compliance fee can be charged for each separate debt. Two council tax debts means two compliance fees.
But bailiffs can only charge one enforcement fee and one sale fee in total, no matter how many debts they’re collecting from you at the same time.
If your bill shows two or more enforcement fees, that is very likely an overcharge. This is exactly the issue that led to the UK’s largest enforcement company being required to run a refunds programme in 2025.
Different companies are treated separately. If one firm is collecting a council tax debt and another is collecting a loan debt, you will pay each company its own set of fees. That’s lawful.
Send us your fee breakdown and we can check whether you’ve been charged correctly.
County Court Bailiff Fees:
County Court bailiffs move through three distinct stages when collecting debt. At each stage, they add a specific fee. Understanding this progression helps you see exactly when costs increase and where you can intervene.
First Stage: The Compliance Fee
The moment bailiffs receive your case, they charge £79 (£75 for cases lodged before 1 May 2026). This is called the compliance stage. You will receive a Notice of Enforcement in the post, which must give you at least 14 clear days before any bailiff can visit.
That notice period increased from 7 days on 1 May 2026. If a debt adviser requests it on your behalf before the original period expires, and the debt is not a business debt, it can be extended to 28 clear days.
During that period, no one will knock on your door. The notice period exists to give people a fair chance to resolve the debt without further action. If you clear the debt plus the compliance fee before it ends, that is where it stops.
The compliance fee applies to every separate enforcement instruction. If bailiffs are collecting two different council tax debts for you, they can charge £79 for each one. But it does not increase based on how much you owe. Whether your debt is £50 or £5,000, the compliance fee is the same.
Second Stage: The Enforcement Visit
If the notice period passes without payment or contact, or if you make an arrangement but then miss payments, the bailiff can visit. This triggers the enforcement stage fee of £247.
For debts over £1,900, bailiffs can also charge an extra 7.5% on whatever you owe above that £1,900 mark.
Example 1: you owe £800
- Compliance fee: £79
- Enforcement fee: £247
- Percentage fee: £0 (debt is under £1,900)
- Total you now owe: £1,126
Example 2: you owe £2,500
- Compliance fee: £79
- Enforcement fee: £247
- Percentage fee: £45 (7.5% of £600, because £2,500 − £1,900 = £600)
- Total you now owe: £2,871
The enforcement visit is when bailiffs come to your property to make a controlled goods agreement. They must show you identification and their legal authority. They cannot force entry to your home on a first visit unless the debt is for criminal fines. If you open the door and let them in, they can list items they could later remove.
One exception worth knowing: if you made a controlled goods agreement by video call, bailiffs can only charge you the compliance fee.
Third Stage: Sale and Removal
If you still have not paid or stuck to an agreement, bailiffs can take your belongings to sell at auction. This adds another £116, plus 7.5% of any amount over £1,900.
Example 1: you owe £1,200
- Sale fee: £116
- Percentage fee: £0
- Added to debt: £116
Example 2: you owe £3,500
- Sale fee: £116
- Percentage fee: £120 (7.5% of £1,600, because £3,500 − £1,900 = £1,600)
- Added to debt: £236
Bailiffs may also charge for storing your goods. These storage costs must be genuine and reasonable, and you have the right to ask for receipts.
The key point is this: a small debt can grow substantially once all bailiff costs are included. A £400 parking fine could reach £842. A £1,000 council tax bill could hit £1,442.
Bailiff Help can interrupt this process at any stage. Whether you have just received the first letter or bailiffs are threatening to remove goods, we can negotiate on your behalf, set up manageable payments, or explore debt solutions that freeze all enforcement immediately.
High Court Bailiff Fees
High Court enforcement officers handle larger debts and have stronger legal powers than County Court bailiffs. Their fee structure reflects this. If your debt has been transferred to the High Court through a writ of control, you face a four-stage charging system instead of three.
| Stage | Fixed fee | Percentage fee above £1,200 |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | £79 | None |
| First enforcement visit | £200 | 7.5% |
| Second enforcement stage | £520 | None |
| Sale or disposal | £550 | 7.5% |
Note the threshold is lower for High Court enforcement. For County Court and council tax, the percentage fee starts above £1,900. For High Court, it starts above £1,200.
Stage One: Compliance Notice
Like County Court bailiffs, High Court officers charge £79 when they receive your case. You get at least 14 clear days’ notice before anyone can visit.
Stage Two: First Enforcement Visit
When a High Court enforcement officer attends your premises for the first time, they charge £200 plus 7.5% on any debt above £1,200.
Example: you owe £2,500
- First visit fee: £200
- Percentage fee: £97.50 (7.5% of £1,300)
- Total added: £297.50
High Court enforcement officers can force entry into commercial premises. Their powers are broader than County Court bailiffs’, which is why their fees are also higher.
Stage Three: Second Enforcement Visit
This fee only applies if you refuse to make a controlled goods agreement, or if you fail to stick to a payment arrangement. The £520 charge is fixed and does not include percentage additions.
Many people avoid this fee by making an agreement at the first visit stage, or by getting professional help to negotiate terms the enforcement officer will accept.
Stage Four: Removal and Sale
If your goods are removed for auction, High Court officers charge £550 plus 7.5% on debts over £1,200.
Example: you owe £5,000
- Sale fee: £550
- Percentage fee: £285 (7.5% of £3,800)
- Total added: £835
High Court enforcement costs escalate rapidly. Storage, locksmith, and auction costs can also be added as disbursements, provided the enforcement officer can prove these expenses were genuinely incurred.
Bailiff Help has experience dealing with High Court enforcement officers. We can negotiate directly with them to prevent further visits, arrange affordable payment terms, or explore whether a formal debt solution could stop the enforcement completely.
What other bailiff fees can be added?
Bailiffs may also claim additional costs, sometimes called disbursements. These must be reasonable and linked to enforcement.
These may include:
Advertising the sale of goods
Auction fees – including up to 7.5% for an online auction
Storage costs after goods are removed
Locksmith fees where forced entry is legally allowed
Court fees paid by the bailiff
Bailiffs must give you a written breakdown of all fees. They must charge what these services normally cost, and you can check by getting quotes for similar services. Always get a receipt for anything you pay.
Bailiff Help can help you check whether these charges are allowed.
How to challenge incorrect bailiff fees
If the fees on your bill look wrong, you can challenge them.
Ask for a full written breakdown. Bailiffs must provide one.
Check it against the tables above, using the date your case was lodged to work out which scale applies.
Complain to the creditor: the council or organisation you owe, not just the bailiff firm. Ask them to cancel the fees or refund what you’ve paid.
Escalate to the Enforcement Conduct Board if the firm is accredited.
Apply to court for a detailed assessment if complaining doesn’t resolve it. Weigh this carefully — court costs can exceed small fee disputes.
Common grounds for a successful challenge include being charged more than one enforcement fee, being charged for a stage that never happened, VAT being added, or disbursements charged without evidence.
Bailiff Help can handle this process for you, including writing to the creditor and gathering the evidence needed.
Conclusion:
Bailiff fees are set by law, but understanding the rules gives you power. The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, amended from 1 May 2026, control what bailiffs can charge at each stage, from the initial £79 compliance fee right through to sale and removal costs. Knowing these amounts helps you spot errors, challenge unfair charges, and take action before small debts spiral into unmanageable totals.
The single most important thing you can do is act quickly. Waiting only lets bailiff fees mount up. Whether you have just received your first letter or bailiffs are already visiting, you still have options.
Bailiff Help exists to support people in exactly your position. We provide thorough debt assessments, negotiate with bailiffs to reduce pressure and fees, and explore the full range of solutions available to you. This includes insolvency options like IVAs, DROs, DMPs, and bankruptcy where appropriate, all overseen by Licensed Insolvency Practitioner Adam Southard.
You do not have to face bailiffs alone. Contact Bailiff Help today for a confidential assessment and discover how we can help you regain control.
Key Takeways
- From 1 May 2026, County Court and council tax bailiff fees are £79 compliance, £247 enforcement and £116 sale. Cases lodged before that date stay on the old £75/£235/£110 scale.
- The 7.5% percentage fee applies above £1,900 for County Court and council tax, and above £1,200 for High Court enforcement.
- The Notice of Enforcement period increased from 7 to 14 clear days on 1 May 2026, extendable to 28 days via a debt adviser.
- If several debts are enforced together, only one enforcement fee and one sale fee can be charged — though a compliance fee can be charged per debt.
- Bailiffs cannot charge VAT, and disbursements must be genuine, reasonable and evidenced.
- You may not have to pay fees at all if the debt isn’t yours, notice wasn’t valid, or a stage never took place.
- Formal debt solutions including IVAs, DROs and bankruptcy can freeze bailiff action and prevent further fees.
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We know debt can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to have questions before making a decision. Our FAQ covers the most common concerns about IVAs and other debt solutions so you can understand your options with confidence
Can bailiffs add fees without warning?
Bailiffs must issue a Notice of Enforcement before most fees are added. This is a legal requirement under rules published on GOV.UK. Bailiff Help can check whether correct notice was given and explain your options.
Are bailiffs fees the same across England and Wales?
Yes. Bailiffs fees are set nationally by law and do not vary by location. Bailiff Help can confirm whether the fees applied to your case are correct.
Do bailiffs fees apply if I set up a payment plan?
Yes, but usually only the compliance fee applies if you engage early. Bailiff Help can help you explore ways to avoid higher enforcement costs.
Can bailiffs charge fees for letters or phone calls?
No. Only the compliance stage fee covers initial contact. Extra charges for calls or letters are not allowed. Bailiff Help can review any unusual charges added.
Can bailiffs fees be paused if I am vulnerable?
Vulnerability should be considered by enforcement agents. Ministry of Justice guidance supports this approach. Bailiff Help can help explain vulnerability and request appropriate adjustments.
Do bailiffs fees stop if I enter an insolvency solution?
In many cases, enforcement action pauses once formal insolvency options are in place. Bailiff Help can carry out an assessment and explain what applies to your situation.
My case started before 1 May 2026: will my fees go up to the new rates?
No. Cases stay on the fee scale that applied when they were lodged with the enforcement company. If your case started before 1 May 2026, the old fees apply for the whole case, even though enforcement continues into 2026 and beyond.
Can I be charged a second enforcement fee if the bailiff visits twice?
No. The enforcement fee is charged once, however many times a bailiff attends. If your bill shows two enforcement fees for the same case, query it.
What are High Court bailiff fees for an eviction?
Eviction fees work differently from fees for collecting a debt, and the tables above do not apply. If you are facing eviction, see our guide on what a notice of eviction means, and get advice on your specific situation.
Are enforcement agent fees the same as bailiff fees?
Yes. “Enforcement agent” is the formal legal term for what most people call a bailiff, and the fees are identical. You may see either term used on your paperwork.
You can visit the Money Helper website to find out more about managing your money and to get free advice, they are an independent service set up to help people manage their money
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