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Updated for 2026

Council tax arrears remain one of the fastest-growing debt problems in England and Wales. Since the localisation of council tax support in 2013, millions of low-income households have been required to pay a portion of their bill for the first time, and the consequences continue to mount year on year. With council tax bills rising by up to 5% again in 2026/27, the pressure on struggling families is only increasing.

Council Tax Arrears: Why So Many Households Are Falling Behind

When the national Council Tax Benefit scheme was replaced by locally run Council Tax Reduction schemes in 2013, funding was cut by around 10%. Local authorities were left to design their own schemes, and many chose to require even the poorest households to pay something towards their bill. By 2026, most councils in England still require a minimum contribution of between 10% and 30% of the full council tax charge.

The impact has been significant. Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and others has consistently shown that collection rates for these small amounts are poor, because the households affected simply cannot afford to pay. Hundreds of thousands of liability orders are issued each year by magistrates’ courts, and councils routinely instruct council tax bailiffs (officially known as enforcement agents) to collect the debts.

The Human Cost of Council Tax Support Cuts

The people hit hardest by these changes are often the most vulnerable: single parents, disabled people, pensioners on low incomes, and those on Universal Credit. For many, even a bill of £150 to £300 per year is an impossible burden on top of rising energy costs, food prices, and rent.

When a household falls into council tax arrears, the full year’s bill can become payable immediately, turning a manageable monthly payment into a debt of over £1,000 overnight. A council tax liability order is then obtained, and enforcement action can follow quickly, including bailiff visits with added fees, attachment of earnings orders, and even committal to prison in extreme cases.

What Can You Do If You’re Struggling?

If you are behind with your council tax payments, it is important to act quickly. There are several steps you can take:

• Apply for a council tax reduction: check whether you qualify for your local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. Many people who are entitled to a discount do not claim it.
• Contact your council: explain your situation and ask for a realistic repayment plan before enforcement action begins.
• Know your rights with bailiffs: enforcement agents must follow strict rules under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. They cannot force entry to your home for council tax debt on their first visit.
• Get free advice: organisations like Council Tax Advisors can help you understand your options and negotiate on your behalf.

Rising Bills Make the Problem Worse

With council tax rising again in 2026/27, the number of households falling into arrears is expected to grow further. Many councils have increased bills by the maximum amount permitted without a local referendum, adding hundreds of pounds to annual charges. For families already on the edge, this can tip the balance from just about managing to serious debt.

The team at Council Tax Advisors is here to help. We provide free, practical guidance on dealing with council tax arrears, negotiating with your council, and getting back on track with payments. If you are worried about a bailiff visit or have received a liability order, contact us today for confidential advice.

Updated for 2026

The idea of a “mansion tax” on council tax bands for high-value properties has been debated for well over a decade. Originally proposed before the 2015 general election, the plan would have created new council tax bands for homes worth more than £2 million. While that specific proposal never became law, the question of whether council tax bands fairly reflect modern property values remains one of the biggest issues in local government finance in 2026.

Why Council Tax Bands Still Don’t Reflect Property Values

Council tax bands in England are still based on property valuations from 1 April 1991, over 35 years ago. That means a home worth £500,000 today could sit in the same band as one worth £200,000, simply because their 1991 values were similar. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has not carried out a revaluation since the system launched in 1993, despite repeated calls from housing charities, think tanks, and local authorities. Wales completed its own revaluation in 2003, adding a Band I for properties valued above £424,000, but England has yet to follow suit.

This outdated banding system means council tax is widely regarded as regressive. Those in lower-value properties often pay a higher proportion of their home’s worth than those in the most expensive homes. The Resolution Foundation and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have both published research highlighting this imbalance, with the IFS calling for a comprehensive reform of council tax in 2026 and beyond.

Could New Council Tax Bands Be Introduced?

There have been periodic discussions in Parliament about adding higher council tax bands. The original mansion tax proposal would have imposed a one per cent annual levy on properties worth over £2 million. More recent suggestions include splitting the current Band H (properties valued above £320,000 in 1991) into multiple tiers, or introducing entirely new bands above it. In the 2025 Autumn Statement, the government acknowledged that council tax reform “remains under review” but stopped short of committing to a revaluation or new bands.

Any change would require primary legislation and a full property revaluation exercise. Given the political sensitivity (nobody wants a bigger bill landing on their doormat), progress has been slow. In the meantime, annual council tax increases continue to push bills higher for everyone, with many councils raising charges by the maximum allowed under the referendum threshold.

What This Means If You’re Struggling to Pay

Whether you live in a Band A bedsit or a Band H detached home, falling behind on council tax can escalate quickly. Councils can apply to the magistrates’ court for a liability order within weeks of a missed payment, and once that order is granted, council tax bailiffs (officially called enforcement agents) can be instructed to collect the debt at your door.

Under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, bailiffs must give you at least seven days’ written notice before visiting. They cannot force entry into your home on a first visit for council tax debt, and there are strict rules about what fees they can charge. Knowing your rights is the first step to dealing with the situation calmly.

If you are behind with your council tax, you may be entitled to a council tax reduction or an affordable repayment plan. Many people don’t realise help is available until arrears have already built up. For free advice and guidance on council tax debt, bailiff visits, and your options, contact Council Tax Advisors today.

Updated for 2026

Since April 2014, bailiffs collecting council tax debts in England and Wales have operated under strict rules set out in the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, made under Part 3 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. These regulations replaced the old “bailiff” system with a formal framework for “enforcement agents”, giving you clearer rights and protections than ever before.

What are the rules enforcement agents must follow?

Enforcement agents collecting council tax arrears must follow a clear process. They are required to give you at least seven days’ written notice before visiting your home. This notice, called a compliance notice, gives you time to pay or seek advice before things escalate.

When they do visit, enforcement agents can only call between 6am and 9pm, and they cannot force entry into your home on their first visit for council tax debts. If only a child under 16 or a vulnerable person is present, the agent must leave and return another time. They also cannot seize essential household items such as clothing, bedding, cookers, fridges or washing machines.

What fees can enforcement agents charge in 2026?

The fees enforcement agents can charge are fixed by law under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, as amended. Following the January 2025 fee increase, the current charges are:

• Compliance stage (when your debt is first passed to enforcement): £84
• Enforcement stage (when an agent visits your property): £263, plus 7.5% on any amount over £1,500
• Sale stage (if goods are removed for sale): £124, plus 7.5% on any amount over £1,500

These fees are added on top of your existing council tax debt, so acting early before things reach the enforcement stage can save you hundreds of pounds.

Your rights if an enforcement agent visits

You have the right to ask the enforcement agent to show their identification and authorisation (the writ or warrant). You can refuse entry on their first visit for council tax debt, as they do not have the power to force their way in. If you believe the agent has acted unlawfully or aggressively, you can make a formal complaint to the enforcement company and to your local council.

Councils are also expected to follow pre-action protocols before instructing enforcement agents. This means they should consider whether you are vulnerable, offer payment plans, and signpost you to debt advice services first.

What should you do if you receive a compliance notice?

If you have received a compliance notice about unpaid council tax, do not ignore it. You have seven days to act. During this time you can contact your council to arrange a payment plan, apply for council tax reduction if your circumstances have changed, or seek free debt advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice or StepChange.

Council Tax Advisors can help you understand your options and guide you through the process. Whether you need help negotiating with your council, challenging a liability order, or dealing with enforcement agents who have overstepped the mark, our team is here to support you.

Get help today

With enforcement fees now higher than ever, the cost of inaction can spiral quickly. If you are struggling with council tax arrears, get in touch with Council Tax Advisors for free, practical guidance on how to resolve your situation before it gets worse.

Updated for 2026

The bedroom tax, officially known as the spare room subsidy or under-occupancy charge, continues to affect hundreds of thousands of households across England and Wales in 2026. If you are dealing with bedroom tax council tax arrears, you are not alone. More than a decade after its introduction in April 2013, this policy still leaves many families struggling to keep up with housing costs and council tax payments.

What Is the Bedroom Tax and How Does It Cause Council Tax Arrears?

The bedroom tax reduces Housing Benefit (or the housing element of Universal Credit) by 14% for one spare bedroom and 25% for two or more spare rooms. For households already on tight budgets, this shortfall often creates a knock-on effect: when rent becomes harder to cover, council tax payments slip into arrears as families prioritise keeping a roof over their heads.

Who Is Still Affected in 2026?

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, around 500,000 social housing tenants in England and Wales are still subject to the under-occupancy charge. Low-income households are disproportionately affected, particularly single parents whose children have left home, disabled people needing an extra room for care equipment, and families who simply cannot find smaller properties in their area due to a chronic shortage of one-bedroom social housing.

The Council Tax Arrears Spiral

Reduced housing support does not just affect rent. It squeezes every part of a household budget. Council tax is a priority debt, meaning your local authority can take serious enforcement action if you fall behind. This can include sending bailiffs to your door, applying for an attachment of earnings order through the magistrates’ court, or even committal proceedings in extreme cases.

With council tax bills rising again for 2026/27, many households affected by the bedroom tax face an even tighter squeeze. Councils across England have been allowed to raise bills by up to 5% without a referendum, and the impact on those who already cannot pay is significant.

What Can You Do About Bedroom Tax Council Tax Arrears?

If you are struggling, there are steps you can take right now:

• Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from your local council to cover the bedroom tax shortfall
• Check whether you qualify for council tax reduction, which could lower your bill significantly
• Contact your council as soon as possible to arrange a repayment plan before enforcement action begins
• Know your rights if bailiffs come to your door: they cannot force entry for council tax debt on their first visit
• Seek free advice from Council Tax Advisors, who can help negotiate on your behalf

Get Help With Your Council Tax Arrears Today

You do not have to deal with bedroom tax council tax arrears on your own. Whether you are behind on payments, facing enforcement action, or simply unsure what your options are, Council Tax Advisors can provide practical, sympathetic guidance tailored to your situation. Get in touch today and take the first step towards clearing your arrears.

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.

Updated for 2026

If you owe council tax and a bailiff turns up at your door, you might feel powerless. The good news is that strict bailiff laws in England and Wales are in place to protect you. Since April 2014, the Taking Control of Goods Regulations have set out clear rules on what enforcement agents (the official term for bailiffs) can and cannot do when collecting debts, including council tax bailiff visits.

What Do the Bailiff Laws Actually Say?

The regulations brought in several important protections for people in debt:

• Bailiffs are banned from entering your home late at night or in the early hours of the morning. Visits are restricted to between 6am and 9pm.
• They cannot use physical force against you or anyone else at the property.
• If only children are present in the home, bailiffs are not permitted to enter.
• Household essentials like washing machines, ovens, fridges and beds cannot be seized. You can read more about what they can and cannot take in our guide to belongings and bailiffs.
• All enforcement agents must complete mandatory training and hold a valid certificate from the county court.
• Part of that training covers recognising vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities, mental health conditions or serious illness, who should receive additional protection.

Bailiff Rules Before They Enter Your Property

The law also tightened the steps a bailiff must follow before arriving at your door:

• They must give you at least seven days’ written notice before visiting to take goods.
• Before a warrant can be granted, they need to tell the court how they plan to enter, what level of force may be needed and which goods they intend to take control of.

This is important because it gives you time to seek help. If you have received a notice, getting advice early can make a real difference.

Can a Bailiff Force Entry for Council Tax?

One of the most common questions people ask is whether bailiffs can break down the door. The short answer for council tax debt is: not on a first visit. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on whether bailiffs can force entry for council tax.

Why Were These Bailiff Laws Introduced?

Before the 2014 reforms, the rules governing bailiffs were a patchwork of outdated legislation built up over centuries. Citizens Advice had long campaigned for change, reporting widespread problems with aggressive tactics, misleading threats and unclear fee structures.

The changes came out of the Ministry of Justice’s review of the debt collection industry and form part of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (Part 3). They aimed to create a single, clear set of rules so that both debtors and enforcement agents know exactly where they stand.

It is worth knowing what bailiffs are actually allowed to charge, too. Our guide to bailiff fees for council tax debt breaks down the regulated fee structure.

What Happens If a Bailiff Breaks the Rules?

If an enforcement agent does not follow the regulations, you have the right to complain. You can:

• Complain directly to the bailiff company.
• Report the matter to your local council, since they instructed the bailiff.
• Apply to the court to have the enforcement action set aside if proper procedures were not followed.
• Contact Citizens Advice or a debt charity for support.

For a broader look at bailiff powers and common misconceptions, take a look at Bailiffs: The Top 5 Myths Debunked.

Get Help with Council Tax Debt

Here at Council Tax Advisors we help people across England and Wales who are struggling with council tax arrears. Whether you have already received a bailiff notice or you are worried about falling behind, it is always better to act sooner rather than later.

Remember: you generally do not have to let bailiffs into your home for council tax debt, and doing so is something we would advise against. If you are unsure of your rights or need help dealing with enforcement agents, speak to us for free guidance.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact a qualified professional.