The Council fobbed you off with It is in the hands of bailiffs


The council is trying to protect the commercial interests of the bailiff company, because if you pay the amount outstanding to the council, the enforcement power ceases to be exercisable,[1] the bailiff company loses their fees,[2][3] and the bailiff loses his commission.[4]

Pay the council by sending a cheque for the amount outstanding,[5] write the PCN number on the back of the cheque and take photographs of the cheque and the envelope. Get a certificate of posting from the post office to prove the time the payment was tendered and entered the postal system, then give the bailiff company a notice telling him the amount outstanding has been paid.[6]


Template Notice: Notice to bailiff telling him the amount outstanding has been paid.[6]

Send the notice to the bailiff company and get a certificate of posting from the post office.

Give a copy of the notice to the bailiff company by email and make a screenshot of the sent email capturing the time you gave it.

Send a copy of the notice by text message to the bailiff to his mobile and make a screenshot of the sent text message to record the time you gave it.

Keep all screenshots for your file.



[1] Paragraph 6(3)(1) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[2] Regulation 3 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
[3] Regulation 17(1) of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
[4] See: How much to bailiffs earn
[5] Paragraph 50(3) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[6] Paragraph 59(4) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007