Rossendales bailiffs enforcement notice envelope on hallway table

Owe Money to Rossendales Bailiffs? Free Help and Advice for 2026

If you have received a letter from Rossendales bailiffs saying you owe money, you are not alone. Thousands of people across England and Wales deal with Rossendales enforcement notices every year, and the good news is that free help is available. Council Tax Advisors can help you understand your rights and find a way forward with Rossendales debt collection.

In this guide, we explain who Rossendales bailiffs are, how they operate, what powers they have in 2026, and what you can do if they contact you.

Who Are Rossendales Bailiffs?

Rossendales are one of the largest enforcement agent companies in England and Wales. Now part of the Marston Holdings group, Rossendales work on behalf of over 140 public sector clients, including district councils, metropolitan authorities, London boroughs and unitary authorities.

Their primary role is debt enforcement. This means they have legal authority to collect unpaid debts on behalf of their clients. Rossendales recover tens of millions of pounds each year for local councils and other public bodies.

Since April 2014, bailiffs have been officially known as enforcement agents under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. You may still hear the term “bailiff” used informally, but the legal framework governing their powers is the same.

As a regulated enforcement company, Rossendales are expected to treat you fairly and follow strict rules. However, they act on behalf of their client, not you. If you need someone on your side, get in touch with us for free advice.

When Do Rossendales Bailiffs Get Involved?

Rossendales collect debt on behalf of public sector bodies such as local councils. They can become involved to recover debts including:

Council tax arrears
Missed Child Maintenance Service (CMS) payments
Road traffic fines and parking penalties
Housing benefit overpayments
Business rates arrears

Rossendales will only become involved after your creditor has tried to collect the money through other means first. Taking council tax arrears as an example, the process typically works like this:

The Council Tax Recovery Process

Your council will first send reminder notices about the unpaid council tax. You will receive a reminder giving you seven days to pay the first time you miss a payment. If you do not pay within seven days, you may lose your right to pay in instalments and have to pay the full year’s bill instead.

A second reminder follows if you miss another payment. After a third missed payment, the council sends a final notice demanding the full year’s council tax.

If you still do not pay, the council can apply to the Magistrates’ Court for a liability order. This is a legal demand for payment. In 2026, the court costs added at this stage are typically between £70 and £110, depending on your council.

Once a liability order is granted, the council can instruct enforcement agents such as Rossendales to collect the debt. Even at this stage, it is not too late to get help. Contact us for free advice and support.

What Can Rossendales Bailiffs Do?

As enforcement agents, Rossendales have specific legal powers under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. Once instructed by your council, they can:

Send you an enforcement notice giving at least seven clear days’ warning before visiting
Visit your home to take control of goods to sell and repay the debt
Request that your council arranges an attachment of earnings order, so repayments come directly from your wages
Request deductions from certain benefits, including Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Pension Credit

Enforcement Agent Fees in 2026

Rossendales can add regulated fees to your debt at each stage of enforcement. As of April 2024, the fee structure under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 is:

Compliance stage: £75 (fixed fee)
Enforcement stage: £235 (fixed fee) plus 7.5% of any amount over £1,500
Sale stage: £110 (fixed fee) plus 7.5% of any amount over £1,500

These fees are set by law and Rossendales cannot charge more than these amounts. If you believe you have been overcharged, you can make a complaint.

Your Rights When Rossendales Bailiffs Visit

Knowing your rights can help you feel more in control. Under current legislation, enforcement agents must follow strict rules when visiting your home:

They can only visit between 6:00am and 9:00pm (unless collecting for a business debt at commercial premises)
They must give you at least seven clear days’ notice before their first visit
They must show you identification and proof of the debt they are collecting
They must not use threatening behaviour or force on their first visit

Do I Have to Let Rossendales In?

You do not have to let Rossendales bailiffs into your home. You do not even have to open the door. You can communicate through a closed door, a window, or a letterbox.

However, even if you do not let them in, they can still take control of goods visible outside your property, such as a vehicle on your driveway.

Once you have let enforcement agents into your home on a previous occasion, they may have the right to re-enter on a later visit. This is why you should think carefully before opening your door.

Can They Force Entry?

Rossendales cannot force entry into your home on their first visit for council tax debt. They cannot push past you, break a window, or force a door open. However, if they have previously been granted peaceful entry, or if they hold a specific court order, they may be able to use reasonable force to re-enter on a subsequent visit.

For more detail on your rights, the GOV.UK guide to bailiff rights is a useful resource.

How to Deal With Rossendales Debt Collection

If Rossendales have been in touch, you have several options:

Pay the debt in full directly to your council or to Rossendales (always get a receipt)
Negotiate a repayment plan you can realistically afford
Contact your council to discuss hardship and ask about council tax support or a payment arrangement
Seek free debt advice from organisations like Citizens Advice, StepChange, or Council Tax Advisors

If you agree to a repayment plan, make sure you can afford the payments. Falling behind on a repayment arrangement can lead to further enforcement action and additional fees.

If you are on a low income, you may qualify for council tax support (formerly council tax benefit). This can reduce your bill by up to 100% depending on your circumstances and your local council’s scheme.

Do Not Deal With Rossendales Alone

For most people, debt is something they never planned. Being contacted by Rossendales bailiffs can feel frightening and overwhelming. You are not alone.

Council Tax Advisors helps hundreds of people every week who are dealing with enforcement agents. We can speak to Rossendales on your behalf, negotiate with your council, and help you arrange a repayment plan you can afford. Our service is completely free.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. If you need personalised guidance about your debt situation, please contact a qualified adviser.

Get Free Help Today