Bailiff fee checker: are you being charged the right fees?
Enforcement agent fees are fixed by law. Enter the debt, the stage your case has reached and what you are being charged, and see the most that can legally be added.
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The legal fee scale from 1 May 2026
| Stage | Most debts (Table 1) | High Court writ (Table 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance (notice of enforcement) | £79 | £79 |
| Enforcement (agent visits) | £247 + 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 | First stage £200 + 7.5% above £1,200; second stage £520 |
| Sale or disposal | £116 + 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 | £550 + 7.5% above £1,200 |
These amounts come from the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 as amended by the Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026, in force from 1 May 2026. Enforcement that began before that date stays on the old scale (£75, £235 + 7.5% above £1,500, and £110 + 7.5% above £1,500), which the checker also applies.
The rules that matter as much as the amounts
- A fee can only be charged for a stage that has actually been reached — no enforcement fee without a visit.
- The notice of enforcement must give at least 14 clear days (from 1 May 2026). If a debt advice provider asks before that period ends, it must be extended to at least 28 clear days (not for business debts).
- Disbursements such as storage, locksmith or auction costs can only be added in limited circumstances and must be itemised.
- If you think you have been overcharged, ask for a breakdown, complain to the enforcement company and the creditor. For a certificated agent you can also complain to the court that issued their certificate (form EAC2), and council-instructed enforcement can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Your wider rights — when agents can visit, whether they can come in, and what they can take — are in the bailiffs guide.
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.
Common questions
How much can bailiffs charge in 2026?
For most debts, from 1 May 2026: £79 at the compliance stage, £247 plus 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 once an agent visits, and £116 plus 7.5% above £1,900 at the sale stage. High Court enforcement uses a different scale.
Can bailiffs charge a visit fee if they never came?
No. The enforcement stage fee can only be charged once an agent has attended. If you are being charged for a visit that did not happen, ask for evidence and challenge it.
Does VAT get added to bailiff fees?
It can be in some cases. Ask the enforcement company to show whether VAT has been added and why. The checker shows the maximum both with and without VAT.