Enforcement agents (bailiffs)

New enforcement rules came into force on 1 May 2026. As a result, compliance and enforcement fees have increased by 5% across England and Wales.

These changes affect how enforcement action starts and how it continues. The new rules place more emphasis on:

• giving clear notice
• engaging with debtors at an early stage
• encouraging compliance before further action is taken

Increased Minimum Notice (Compliance) Period

The statutory Notice of Enforcement (Compliance) period will increase from 7 clear days to 14 clear days for all cases. Notice periods may be extended up to 28 clear days where a debt advice provider requests additional time before expiry (only for non‑business debts).

Fee Structure Adjustments

A 5% uplift to recoverable enforcement fees will apply across all stages.

When will the new fees apply?

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed:

• Cases received before 1 May 2026 will follow the old structure and will incur the old fees
• Cases received on or after 1 May 2026 onwards will follow the new structure and the new fees will apply

For more information click here

Enforcement

We will issue you with a liability order if you fail make payment by the due date on your bill or reminder. The liability order allows the council to enforce further recovery action against you.

We are then able to appoint enforcement agents to collect the amount of money you owe to us. Enforcement agents have authority to deal with all 'enforcement agent' proceedings on behalf of the council.

Enforcement fees before 1 May 2026

If we passed your debt to an enforcement agent before 1 May 2026, they may apply additional fees as follows:

• You will incur a compliance fee of £75.00 for each liability order obtained. The compliance fees will increase the outstanding balance on your account.
• You must make a payment or contact the enforcement agent immediately. Failure to do so means they may visit your property. This will incur further enforcement fees of £235.00
• If your debt is over £1,500 the fee will be higher, as they charge an extra 7.5% on any balance over £1,500.

For example: If your debt is £2,000 the fee would be the statutory £235 plus an extra 7.5% of £500 (500 x 7.5 = 37.50) = £272.50. They will round the balance up to the nearest pound, so the fees applied would be £273.

Enforcement fees after 1 May 2026

If we passed your debt to an enforcement agent on or after 1 May 2026, they may apply additional fees as follows:

• You will incur a compliance fee of £79.00 for each liability order obtained. The compliance fees will increase the outstanding balance on your account
• You must make a payment or contact the enforcement agent immediately. Failure to do so means they may visit your property. This will incur further enforcement fees of £247.00 which will increase your total debt even more
• If your debt is over £1,900 the fee will be higher, as they charge an extra 7.5% on any balance over £1,900.

Selling of goods

Sometimes it is necessary for the enforcement agents to sell your goods. If so, you will have to pay a further:

• £110.00 fee, plus an extra fee of 7.5% on any balance over £1,500 if we passed your debt to an enforcement agent before 1 May 2026
• £116.00 fee, plus an extra fee of 7.5% on any balance over £1,900 if we passed your debt to an enforcement agent on or after 1 May 2026

The enforcement agent will arrange to remove your goods, such as:

• vehicles
• household goods
• personal goods

These goods are then listed for sale at auction to raise funds and clear your debt.

In some instances, charges are also applied on other reasonable disbursements, such as;

• cost of storing goods,
• cost of hiring a locksmith to gain access to premises,
• auctioneer’s commission
• costs of advertising the sale.

If you cannot pay the debt in full

You must direct all payments and offers of payment to the enforcement agent.

The enforcement agent will attempt to recover the debt outstanding in full. If you are unable to clear the balance you must contact the enforcement agent straight away.

They will consider any proposals for you to make a payment arrangement. This may avoid further enforcement agent fees and you having to pay more than necessary.

We currently use the following enforcement agents:

Newcastle City Council In-House Compliance and Enforcement Team:

Phone 0191 277 4770

Jacobs Enforcement Agents

Phone: 0345 601 2692,

Website: Jacobs Enforcement

Address: Jacobs, 6 Europa Boulevard, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 4PE

CDER Group

Phone: 0330 460 5295

Website: CDER Group

Address: 9th Floor, Peninsular House, 30-36 Monument Street, London, EC3R 8LI

For information on our agents code of conduct please click below:
 Code of conduct

Vulnerable people

Vulnerable people should contact the enforcement agent straight away. They may ask you to confirm your vulnerability, so you can receive the appropriate help.