Council Tax Bailiff Fees: What You Could Be Charged and How to Avoid Them

Updated for 2026

Council tax bailiff fees can catch you off guard if you fall behind on payments. Once your council tax arrears are passed to enforcement agents, costs escalate quickly, and understanding what you could be charged is the first step towards protecting yourself.

How Council Tax Bailiff Fees Work in England and Wales

Under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, enforcement agents (formerly known as bailiffs) follow a fixed fee structure set by the government. These fees are not paid to your council: they go directly to the enforcement company. The three stages are:

• Compliance stage: a flat fee of £75, charged as soon as your debt is passed to enforcement agents. This is non-refundable, even if you pay the debt in full straight away.
• Enforcement stage: £235 is added when an agent visits your property, plus 7.5% of any debt over £1,500.
• Sale or disposal stage: £110 plus 7.5% of any debt over £1,500, if goods are seized and sold.

These fees remain unchanged since they were introduced in April 2014 and still apply in 2026. For someone already struggling to pay their council tax, these additional charges can make the situation feel unmanageable.

What Has Changed for Council Tax Enforcement in 2026

While the fee structure itself has not changed, council tax bills across England have risen significantly year on year. With the 2026/27 council tax increases now confirmed, more households than ever are at risk of falling into arrears. Councils continue to maintain that enforcement agents are a last resort, deployed only when debts have become serious enough to warrant action.

There have also been growing calls for reform of the enforcement industry. The government has consulted on strengthening protections for vulnerable debtors, but for now the rules under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 remain the framework governing what enforcement agents can and cannot do.

Who Is Most at Risk from Bailiff Fees?

Low-income households, single parents, and people receiving benefits are disproportionately affected. Cuts to council tax reduction schemes in recent years have left many families paying council tax for the first time, or paying more than they can afford. When arrears build up and enforcement action begins, the added fees create a spiralling debt that becomes increasingly difficult to escape.

Your Rights When Enforcement Agents Visit

It is important to know that enforcement agents cannot force entry into your home for council tax debt. They must follow strict rules about when they can visit, what they can take, and how they must behave. If you believe an enforcement agent has acted improperly, you have the right to complain. Read our full guide on whether bailiffs can force entry for council tax and our breakdown of bailiff fees explained for more detail.

How Council Tax Advisors Can Help

If you are behind with your council tax and worried about enforcement action, getting advice early is the best thing you can do. Council Tax Advisors can help you understand your options, negotiate with your council, and find a manageable way forward before fees start adding up. Contact us today for free, no-obligation advice.