Rossendales bailiffs: checking fees and challenging enforcement

Why Rossendales is involved

When you fall behind on council tax, the council can get a liability order from the magistrates’ court and pass the debt to an enforcement company such as Rossendales. Rossendales then sends a Notice of Enforcement and adds a compliance fee. The council remains the creditor and can recall the debt at any time.

Read how council tax enforcement works for the full process.

Step 1: Check the fees

Bailiff fees are set by the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, updated from 1 May 2026. Ask Rossendales for an itemised statement and check it against this table.

Try your own figures in our bailiff fees calculator.

Common fee problems to look for

• An enforcement fee with no real visit. The fee only applies once an agent attends your home to take control of goods. A letter or call isn’t a visit.
• A visit too early. For cases from 1 May 2026, an agent can’t visit to take control of goods until at least 14 clear days after the Notice of Enforcement.
• The wrong fee scale – for example, new fees applied to a case passed to bailiffs before 1 May 2026.
• The percentage worked out on the whole debt instead of only the part above the threshold.
• Sale fees without real steps towards a sale.
• Duplicate fees where several debts were enforced at the same visit.

Read more in bailiff fees explained.

Step 2: Deal with the debt itself

Even if you challenge the fees, the original council tax is usually still owed. To stop enforcement:

1. Offer an affordable plan in writing with a budget.
2. Ask the council to recall the debt if Rossendales won’t accept a fair offer or you’re vulnerable.
3. Check you’re paying the right amount – see Council Tax Reduction.
4. Get advice about Breathing Space, a Debt Relief Order or an IVA if you have other debts.

Step 3: Complain if the rules were broken

1. Gather evidence: letters with dates, notes of visits, photos and witness names.
2. Complain to Rossendales in writing. Ask it to pause enforcement, provide a full fee breakdown and send any body-worn camera footage.
3. Copy in the council. Councils are responsible for how their debts are collected.
4. Escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (after the council’s process) or the Enforcement Conduct Board if the firm is accredited.
5. Ask the court to assess disputed fees, or use form EAC2 for serious misconduct by a certificated agent.

Our guide has a template you can copy: how to complain about a bailiff.

Your rights if an agent visits

• No forced entry for council tax.
• Visits to take control of goods only between 6am and 9pm.
• No entry if only children under 16 or vulnerable people are home.
• Essentials, work tools up to £1,350 and other people’s goods are protected.

See your rights when bailiffs visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refuse to pay Rossendales’ fees?

If fees were lawfully added, they form part of what you owe. If they were added wrongly, challenge them in writing and ask for them to be removed.

Will complaining stop Rossendales visiting?

Not automatically. Ask Rossendales and the council in writing to pause enforcement while your complaint is looked at, and keep up any affordable payments you’ve agreed.

Can Rossendales send my debt back to the council?

The council can recall the debt from Rossendales. Ask the council directly, especially if you’re vulnerable.

Sources

• The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
• The Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
• GOV.UK, How to complain about a bailiff
• Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman