Published in partnership with PayPlan
The use of bailiffs has increased in recent years. Enforcement action can be distressing, and support for dealing with bailiffs can be difficult to find. Why has this rise occurred, and what changes are being proposed?
Increased bailiff action
Council tax arrears are now the fastest-growing form of debt. To give an idea of the scale, 44% of people who contact us need help with priority arrears, which includes council tax.1
Reasons why people fall behind
People can fall into arrears for many reasons, often through no fault of their own, including:
- Job loss or reduced income
- Ill health
- Changes in personal or family circumstances
Why council tax specifically?
Under the current system, council tax debt can escalate very quickly. After a missed payment, a council may request the full year’s bill within a short timeframe, depending on local authority processes.
If this isn’t paid within a week, the council can apply for a liability order, which allows them to pass the debt to enforcement agents (bailiffs).
Investigations into council tax debt
A BBC investigation found that households owe £6.6bn in council tax to local authorities in England.2
This sharp rise in arrears has led campaigners and charities to call for changes to the recovery system, with a focus on earlier support and affordability, rather than relying on bailiff action as a default.
Proposed changes
Suggestions for reform include:
- Slowing down the collection process
- Taking a person’s circumstances into account earlier
- Limiting the additional costs and fees that can be added
There are also proposals to mirror the government’s ‘Tell Us Once’ service – which automatically notifies multiple departments automatically after someone passes away – to make changes to council tax status simpler and more joined up when circumstances change.
The overall aim is to make the system easier to navigate and to give people clearer, more flexible ways to repay arrears.
Routes to change
The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) has been created to provide independent oversight of the debt enforcement sector in England and Wales.3
Its aims include:
- Improving how enforcement firms and agents identify and support vulnerable people
- Increasing the use of sustainable repayment arrangements where people can’t pay in full straight away
From 1 January 2025, the ECB started handling new complaints about the conduct of enforcement agents or firms where individuals feel their complaint hasn’t been dealt with fairly or in a timely way by the enforcement company itself.
This is intended to strengthen accountability and improve protections, particularly for vulnerable people.
Why the ECB exists
The ECB works to identify practices that may cause harm, especially to vulnerable clients.
They consider a range of vulnerability indicators, including:4
- Mental health conditions
- Severe or long-term illness
- Financial hardship
- Domestic or economic abuse
Finding support if you’re facing bailiff action
If you’re facing bailiff action, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Support is available, and it’s often possible to explore options before things escalate further.
Our advisors can talk you through what support may be available to you and help you understand your options.
If you are struggling with debts call us on 0800 072 1206. We’re open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays.
Alternatively, you can visit our www.payplan.com/police to speak to us via live chat or more information
[1] The growing problem of local authority bailiff use – Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
[2] Council tax: Households owe billions ahead of bill rise – BBC News
[3] Fairer system for debt collection to boost protections for financially vulnerable – GOV.UK
[4] Why Enforcement Needs to Embrace Shared Vulnerability Data