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Key takeaways
- Since 1 May 2026 the minimum notice is 14 clear days for most debts, up from seven.
- A debt adviser can ask for the period to be extended to 28 clear days.
- Fixed fees are £79, £247 and £116 at the three stages, with 7.5% on debts over £1,900 at the last two.
- Bailiffs cannot jump to the second stage without giving another chance to pay or agree a plan.
- Use the notice period to contact the bailiff, the creditor and a free debt adviser.
- Breathing Space can pause enforcement in England and Wales.
A notice of enforcement is the letter a bailiff (enforcement agent) must send before they can take control of your goods. Since 1 May 2026 the minimum notice for most debts in England and Wales is 14 clear days, up from seven, and it extends to 28 clear days if a debt adviser asks for more time before the period ends. That window is your chance to pay, agree a plan or get advice. Fees are added at each stage, so contact the bailiff and the creditor at once. Do not ignore it.
What is a notice of enforcement?
When a council, court or other creditor passes a debt to a bailiff firm, the bailiff must first send a written notice of enforcement. It names the debt, the amount, the fees and the earliest date they may visit. The rules come from the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, as amended, and apply in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems, such as sheriff officers in Scotland.
Common debts that reach this stage include council tax, magistrates' court fines, parking penalties, some county court judgments and commercial rent. For the full picture of what bailiffs can and cannot do, see our guide to dealing with bailiffs. This page focuses on the letter itself.
What changed on 1 May 2026
The Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 changed the rules for enforcement action that starts on or after 1 May 2026. In summary:
- The minimum notice before bailiffs can take control of goods rose from 7 clear days to 14 clear days
- A debt adviser can ask for the period to be extended to 28 clear days before the initial period ends
- The notice must now explain that free debt advice is available and that the longer period is possible, using a revised form
- Bailiffs cannot jump straight to the second stage after a first visit with no contact. The debtor must first get another chance to pay or agree an arrangement
- Fixed fees and the threshold for the percentage charge went up
Cases that started before 1 May 2026 are not affected, so an older notice may still show seven days. Older websites, and some council pages, may also still quote the old rules.
How long do you have?
The notice period depends on your situation.
"Clear days" do not count the day the notice is given or the day of the first visit. Check the dates on your letter, and do not wait until the last day.
| Situation | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Enforcement started on or after 1 May 2026 | 14 clear days |
| A debt adviser asks for more time before the 14 days end | 28 clear days |
| Business debt that is not eligible for the extension | 14 clear days, with no extension |
| Enforcement started before 1 May 2026 | 7 clear days |
What to do in the notice period
Use the time. A few days of action now can save a lot of money in fees.
- Check the debt and the amount, and ask the creditor for details if anything looks wrong
- Contact the bailiff firm and the creditor, and ask whether you can pay in full or agree a plan
- Contact a free debt adviser as soon as possible, because they can ask for the longer 28-day period for you
- Tell them if you are vulnerable, for example because of a health condition, disability or young children
- Keep every letter, text and email, and note the date and time of each call
Bailiff fees
Bailiffs charge fixed fees for each stage, and the fees are added to your debt. From 1 May 2026, for most enforcement outside the High Court, the fees are:
Where a county court debt is transferred to the High Court for enforcement, the fees are different: £79 for the compliance stage, £200 for the first enforcement stage, £520 for the second, and £550 for sale or disposal, with 7.5% on the amount over £1,200 at some stages. Fees can change again, so check the current figures with your creditor or a debt adviser. If you think you have been overcharged, ask for a breakdown and complain.
| Stage | Fixed fee | Percentage charge | Applies when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance | £79 | None | The debt is passed to the bailiff and the notice is sent |
| Enforcement | £247 | 7.5% of the debt over £1,900 | The notice period ends and the bailiff takes the next step |
| Sale or disposal | £116 | 7.5% of the debt over £1,900 | Your goods are removed to be sold |
Which debts can lead to a notice of enforcement?
The route to a bailiff depends on the type of debt.
For council tax in particular, see our guide to council tax arrears.
| Debt | Typical route | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Council tax | A liability order, then the council passes the debt to bailiffs | Contact the council and ask for a payment plan |
| Magistrates' court fine | Fine unpaid, then a bailiff instructed by the court | Contact the court and ask to vary payments |
| Parking penalty | Unpaid penalty after a warrant is registered | Contact the issuer and check the process followed |
| County court judgment | A warrant of control or, for larger debts, a High Court enforcement officer | Contact the creditor and consider asking the court to vary payments |
| Commercial rent arrears | A landlord uses enforcement action | Get advice quickly, especially for business debts |
If you are vulnerable
Tell the bailiff and the creditor if you have a health condition, disability, young children or another reason that makes enforcement difficult. Creditors and bailiffs are expected to take this into account, and a debt adviser can help you ask for enforcement to be paused.
Paying a bailiff safely
If you decide to pay, do it in a way you can prove. Ask for a written receipt, pay by a traceable method, and check the firm's details first. Be wary of anyone who demands cash on the doorstep, refuses to show identification, or offers a "discount" for paying immediately. Make sure you get confirmation that the case is closed once the debt and fees are cleared.
If you cannot afford to pay
Free, independent help is available from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice. A debt adviser can ask for the longer notice period and can also apply for Breathing Space, a legal pause of up to 60 days that can stop enforcement. Our guide on priority debts explains why council tax and fines come first.
Frequently asked questions
How many days' notice must a bailiff give?
What are the bailiff fees now?
Can a debt adviser get me more time?
Can a bailiff take my belongings straight away?
What if I cannot pay the bailiff?
Does a notice of enforcement mean I have a CCJ?
Sources and further reading
- The Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 — legislation.gov.uk
- The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 — legislation.gov.uk
- MoneyHelper: free debt advice — MoneyHelper
- Debt and money help — Citizens Advice
This page provides general information only. It is not personalised financial, legal or tax advice, and rules and figures can change. Your situation is unique — please check official sources such as GOV.UK and MoneyHelper, and speak to a qualified, FCA-authorised adviser before making important decisions about your money.
Written by
MoneyBrink Editorial Team — Editorial team
The MoneyBrink Editorial Team researches, writes and reviews every guide on this site. We work from official UK sources such as GOV.UK, the Financial Conduct Authority, MoneyHelper and the Money and Pensions Service, explain things in plain English, and update articles when the rules change. We do not sell financial products and we do not give personal advice.
Read how we research and check our guides in our editorial policy.
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