Enforcement stages and costs explained
Effective on May 1, 2026, The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 and the Taking Control of Goods Regulations (Fees) regulations 2014 were amended.
Full details of the amendment can be found here: Legislation GOV.UK - The Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
This has meant an increase to fees charged at all stages of enforcement while also increasing the number of days given during the compliance stage prior to moving to the enforcement stage to take control of goods.
The Compliance Stage fee has now increased from £75 to £79, and the minimum period of notice is extended from 7 to 14 days or, when requested by a debt advice provider on behalf of the debtor in respect of a non-business debt, to 28 days.
The Enforcement Stage fee has now increased from £235 to £247, with an additional 7.5% added for debts at a newly increased amount of £1,900 previously £1,500.
The Sale or Disposal Stage fee has now increased from £110 to £116, with an additional 7.5% added for debts at a newly increased amount of £1,900 previously £1,500.
| Stage of process | Action | Fixed fee for cases received before 1 May 2026 | Fixed fee for cases received after 1 May 2026 | Percent fee if over £1,500 (cases received before 1 May 2026) Percent fee if over £1,900 (cases received after 1 May 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance | Writing to inform you of the debt, requesting payment, issuing an enforcement notice. | £75 | £79 | 0.0% |
| Enforcement | Visiting your home or business premises to take control of goods, including everything involved in identifying, valuing and taking control of your belongings. | £235 | £247 | 7.5% |
| Sale | Removing and selling the belongings that were taken control of in the previous stage. | £110 | £116 | 7.5% |
The stages are explained in more detail below:
Compliance stage: The enforcement agency will make every attempt to contact you in relation to your debt. They will use whatever means is available which may include writing letters, sending an email, telephoning or sending a text message. The options available will be dictated by the information held, however letters will be sent in every instance.
An enforcement agent (previously known as bailiff) will not visit your property during this stage. We must issue you a Notice of Enforcement during this stage and allow at least 7 clear days from the issue of the notice before we visit. Increasing to 14 days from 1 May 2026 and to 28 days when requested by a debt advice provider on behalf of the debtor in respect of a non-business debt.
Enforcement stage: The case will be referred to an enforcement agent when you have failed to contact us within the specified timescale or because you have defaulted on a payment arrangement.
This visit can have many resolutions; you may pay the debt in full, the Agent may enter into an agreement with you to pay the debt in instalments or they may 'Take control of goods' and attend to arrange for those goods to be removed.
Sale or disposal stage: This is the point at which goods are sent to auction with a view to selling the goods to cover the outstanding debt.
*Please note* the sale of your goods removed may not cover the outstanding debt.
The Enforcement Agent may also add/recover disbursements (charges) for locksmiths, storage, court fees and auction costs. In some cases exceptional disbursements may be added to the debt.
As the fees are prescribed under the above regulations, we are unable to reduce or cancel any charges raised.
Please note: when any payment is made to the enforcement team all fees including auction fees and disbursements will be cleared first.