Bailiff fee tables — the statutory schedule (SI 2014/1)
These are the fees enforcement agents and High Court Enforcement Officers may charge in England & Wales, set by the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, Schedule. They are fixed by law: a fee not on this table (or above these amounts) is not payable as of right. We verified this page against the legislation at source on 2026-10-09.
How the stages work: compliance is charged when the notice of enforcement is sent; enforcement when the agent attends to take control of goods; sale when goods are removed for sale. Each stage adds to the total — which is why acting early is always cheaper.
Table 1 — enforcement agents (council tax, parking and most other debts)
Enforcement other than under a High Court writ (civil enforcement agents, e.g. council tax and parking debts).
| Stage | Fee | When it is incurred |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance stage | £75.00 | when the notice of enforcement is sent |
| Enforcement stage | £235.00 | when the agent attends to take control of goods |
| Sale or disposal stage | £110.00 | when goods are removed, to attend their sale |
Percentage fee (regulation 7)
| Charged on | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| the amount to be recovered above £1,500 | 7.5% | enforcement and sale stages, once that stage is reached |
Only the part of the debt above the threshold (£1,500 non-HCEO / £1,000 HCEO), not the whole debt. Any fraction of £1 in the percentage fee is reckoned as £1; any fraction of a penny is disregarded (regulation 7(c)).
Table 2 — High Court Enforcement Officers (writs of control)
Enforcement under a High Court writ (High Court Enforcement Officers).
| Stage | Fee | When it is incurred |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance stage | £75.00 | when the notice of enforcement is sent |
| First enforcement stage | £190.00 | when the agent attends to take control of goods |
| Second enforcement stage | £495.00 | second attendance — only if no compliant controlled goods agreement, or it was breached (reg 4(5)) |
| Sale or disposal stage | £525.00 | when goods are removed, to attend their sale |
Percentage fee (regulation 7)
| Charged on | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| the amount to be recovered above £1,000 | 7.5% | enforcement and sale stages, once that stage is reached |
Only the part of the debt above the threshold (£1,500 non-HCEO / £1,000 HCEO), not the whole debt. Any fraction of £1 in the percentage fee is reckoned as £1; any fraction of a penny is disregarded (regulation 7(c)).
Other rules that change the total
Controlled goods agreement (HCEO writs)
Under a High Court writ: a compliant controlled goods agreement means only the first enforcement stage fee is recoverable; breach or no agreement means first and second stage fees (regulation 4(5)).
Sale costs — auction caps
Auctioneer commission capped at 15% of the sum realised where the sale is at the auctioneer's premises; 7.5% at other premises; 7.5% for internet auction or non-auction sale (regulation 9).
Disbursements
Storage, locksmith and (granted) court-application fees are recoverable if reasonably and actually incurred (regulation 8).
After the power ends
No fees or disbursements are recoverable for any stage undertaken after the enforcement power ceased to be exercisable, except where it ceased because the debt was paid (regulation 17).
Your statement after a sale
After sale the agent must give an itemised list of goods sold, sums received, application of proceeds, and disbursements with receipts (regulation 14).
The vulnerability fee bar (regulation 12)
If the debtor is a vulnerable person, enforcement-stage fees and disbursements are not recoverable unless the agent gave an adequate opportunity to obtain advice before removing goods (regulation 12). Our vulnerability guide explains how to use it.
Disputing a fee
Disputes about the amount of fees and disbursements recoverable are determined by the court (regulation 16). Before you dispute, check the amount with the fee checker, then use the firm's complaints process. The government's complaints page sets out the full escalation route.
Questions people ask about bailiff fees
Do I have to pay bailiff fees?
The statutory fees for stages that actually happened are lawful and added to your debt. Fees for stages that did not happen — or amounts above the schedule — are not payable as of right. Check every line with the fee checker.
What happens if I don't answer the door?
The visit-stage fee can still be charged, the process continues, and it rarely saves money. See the full guide.
Can bailiff fees be reduced or cancelled?
Yes, in defined cases: the regulation 12 vulnerability bar, court disputes under regulation 16, and written-off fees in hardship arrangements agreed with the creditor.
What is the 60-day rule?
The debt respite ("breathing space") scheme gives 60 days in which most enforcement must pause — arranged through a debt adviser. See how to stop bailiffs.
⚖ Source-checked 2026-10-09 at legislation.gov.uk · Independent information — not legal advice.