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Stop Council Tax Bailiffs

Any of the following:

Pay the Arrears Online and Get a Receipt

That causes the enforcement power conferred under the liability order to cease to have effect.

Pay in person, take a witness, and obtain a receipt.

If the enforcement agent has been instructed, you are liable for the £75 compliance stage fee. If the bailiff has attended, a further £235 applies. These can only be avoided if enforcement regulations were not adhered to. See this checklist.

Note:

Online payments are often allocated to the current year's council tax, not arrears. Instruct the cashier to credit the arrears specifically.

The council must accept payment and cease enforcement under Regulation 45(3) and Regulation 17(1).

Paragraph 58 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 provides that:

(1) This paragraph applies where the debtor pays the amount outstanding in full:

(2) If goods were removed, they must be made available for collection promptly.

(3) No further step may be taken under the enforcement power concerned.

Paragraph 59(4) requires notifying the bailiff once payment is made.

Paragraph 31 of the Taking Control of Goods: National Standards 2014 states that enforcement agents must not enforce recovery of fees where the power has ceased.

NEVER pay the bailiff. Otherwise, the money may be fraudulently retained under a pretence it was seized under paragraph 50(1).

Only unpaid fees not yet incurred can be avoided. Once a stage begins, the bailiff may recover fees under Regulation 4(3).

If the council tells you to "contact the bailiffs," involve your local councillor. They can often stop unlawful action.

If enforcement is attempted after payment, contact me. We can act under paragraph 66(3) for breach of paragraph 6(3). Legal fees are recoverable from the bailiff company on an indemnity basis.

Dispute the Liability with the Council

If you are not liable for the council tax, challenge it with the council.

Deploy Pay & Reclaim

Pay & Reclaim allows you to clear the debt, remove bailiffs, and reclaim the amount through court.

Refuse entry by handing a notice through the letterbox.

Magicians Choice

See how Magicians Choice works.

Run an Enforcement Compliance Check

See this checklist.

Apply to Write Off Council Tax Arrears

See: Write off council tax arrears