Bailiff Fees Explained: What You Actually Owe (and What’s Been Added Illegally)
A debt of £300 arrives as a letter demanding £800. Where did the extra money come from? Bailiff fees. But here’s what many people don’t know: those fees are strictly regulated, and overcharging is more common than you’d think.
The Regulated Fee Structure
Under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, bailiffs can only charge fixed amounts at each stage:
Compliance Stage — £75
Added when the case is first passed to the enforcement company. This covers the Notice of Enforcement letter. If you pay at this stage, £75 is all you’ll owe in fees.
Enforcement Stage — £235
Added when a bailiff actually visits your property. For debts over £1,500, they can also add 7.5% of the amount above £1,500. But the base fee is fixed — it doesn’t matter if they visit once or five times.
Sale Stage — £110
Only added if goods are physically removed for sale. Most cases never get here.
Things That Shouldn’t Be on Your Bill
- Multiple visit fees — the enforcement fee is a one-off, not per visit
- Locksmith charges when no locksmith attended — only chargeable if actually incurred
- Storage fees for goods not removed — can’t store what wasn’t taken
- Inflated VAT — the regulated fees already include VAT
What to Do If the Numbers Don’t Add Up
Ask for a full breakdown in writing. Compare it against the regulated fees above. If something doesn’t match:
- Complain to the enforcement company in writing
- Contact the creditor (usually your council) to dispute the fees
- Apply to the court under the Taking Control of Goods Act 2013
Don’t just accept the number on the letter. A five-minute check could save you hundreds.
If you’re dealing with bailiffs and need some guidance, we offer free help. You can apply here — no pressure, no obligations.