Why are bailiffs involved in collecting council tax?

If you have not made a suitable payment arrangement, provided employment details (for an attachment of earnings) or confirmed entitlement to state benefits (for an attachment to Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance) then the council has the power, under a liability order, to use bailiffs to collect any amount of Council Tax due.

This will add more to the costs you have to pay.

What do the bailiffs do?

The bailiffs recover the debt you owe by removing and selling your goods. The bailiffs will normally send you a letter asking you to pay the money you owe immediately. If you do not respond to their letter, the bailiffs will visit your property to remove the goods. They can remove goods up to the value of the money you owe, plus their own costs. The goods will then be sold at public auction. If you ask, the bailiffs must give you a receipt for all the money you give them or the bailiffs' office.

Can the bailiffs force entry?

Bailiffs are not allowed to break open a door but may enter your property if a door is open, or if it is closed and can be opened without using force. They can also enter through an open window. When the bailiffs are inside your property, they can force any internal locked doors.

What goods can the bailiffs take?

The bailiffs can take almost any goods that you own. If you pay your debt, including all costs, before any goods are taken or sold, the seizure or sale will be stopped.

How can I stop the bailiffs taking goods?

You can keep your goods in your property if you have done one of the following:

Signed an agreement for the bailiff to stay in your property until you have paid your debt or the goods are removed for sale

Signed an agreement that holds the goods so the bailiff can leave and return at a later date if you do not pay the debt

If the bailiff does return to remove the goods, you do not have to be there. Before making a payment arrangement, the bailiff will normally hold the goods and ask you to sign an agreement to hand over the goods if you do not pay.

Bailiffs will come to your home with a removal van and remove any of your furniture or belongings (these can include cars and bikes). They will put them in secure storage before they are sold at auction.

What happens if the bailiff cannot collect the Council Tax?

If the bailiff cannot collect the Council Tax and there are not enough goods to remove, they will tell us so that we can issue a committal summons.

For further details please use the contact details below:

Email: ct.recovery@waveney.gov.uk  
Telephone: 01502 523278
Fax: 01502 523310
Letter: Waveney District Council (Local Tax), PO Box 96, Lowestoft, NR32 1HW

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