Receiving a letter or visit from an enforcement agent
The government made changes to how we refer to the individuals who collect debt on our behalf, originally named bailiffs these individuals are now referred to as enforcement agents.
Once your debt has been passed on to enforcement agents we can no longer discuss your payment arrangements with you. You will need to speak directly to the agents who are dealing with your case.
The City of Lincoln Council use either Rossendale’s Enforcement Agents or Bristow & Sutor Enforcement Agents
An enforcement agent will visit your home if you have failed to make payments to us. When an enforcement agent is assigned to collect debt from you there is a fixed administration fee of £75.00 added to your debt, this is called a compliance fee.
Letters
The first contact an enforcement agent will make with you is by letter. To avoid further charges it is important you make contact with the agent now. Failure to contact the agent will result in a visit to your home.
Visit to your home
If you have not responded to the letter sent by the enforcement agent they will then visit your home. They may then arrange a way of payment with you. The first time an enforcement agent visits your home there is a fee of £235.00 added to your debt, this is called an enforcement fee.
If goods are removed to cover the cost of the debt, there is a sale fee of £110.00. A further fee of 7.5 per cent on all debts is applied if your debt is more than £1,500. These fees are charged for transporting goods to the place of sale. These fees may be applied even if the goods are not physically removed so long as there is evidence of steps taken by the enforcement agent for this arrangement - for example a tow truck has been ordered or invoiced to remove the goods.
The charges involved are set out in legislation and are considerable. It is advisable to avoid matters reaching this stage.