Check what fees bailiffs can charge

Summary

You’II be charged separate fees by each company. For example, if one bailiff company visited you to collect a council tax debt and another to collect payment for a loan debt you would pay each company: * a compliance fee for writing to you about the debt * an enforcement fee for visiting your home You might have to pay the bailiffs some of their expenses. On your bill these might be called 'disbursement costs'. You can only be charged for the cost of: * storing your belongings after they're removed * a locksmith if the bailiffs were allowed to use force to enter your home * court fees if the bailiffs had to apply to court to deal with your case * selling your belongings - including advertising the sale and auctioneer's fees * an online auction for selling your belongings - you can be charged up to 7.5% of any money made through the sale The bailiffs must charge you the amount these services normally cost. You can check if the costs are reasonable by getting quotes for similar services. If you're charged for court fees you can check if the fee is correct on the Court Service website on GOV.UK. Occasionally bailiffs can charge for other things but they have to get a court order for.

Key information

• a compliance fee for writing to you about the debt
• an enforcement fee for visiting your home
• storing your belongings after they're removed
• a locksmith if the bailiffs were allowed to use force to enter your home
• court fees if the bailiffs had to apply to court to deal with your case
• selling your belongings - including advertising the sale and auctioneer's fees
• an online auction for selling your belongings - you can be charged up to 7.5% of any money made through the sale
• you've been charged the wrong fixed fees
• the percentage fee for any stage is wrong
• you've been charged for something the bailiffs haven't done
• you think you've been charged too much for the bailiffs' expenses or they haven't given you a receipt for these costs
• For example, if one bailiff company visited you to collect a council tax debt and another to collect payment for a loan debt you would pay each company:

Practical guidance

• Source: Check what fees bailiffs can charge

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