Record pressure in 2025. Learn exactly what to do at each stage — from reminder to liability order, bailiff visits and attachment of earnings — and move to one affordable plan where suitable.
✅ Free Council Tax Help CheckCouncil tax debt is at record levels. Official figures show arrears outstanding in England reached £6.6bn at 31 March 2025. If you’re one of the millions struggling, you’re not alone — and there are clear, legal steps you can take today.
Below we explain, stage-by-stage, how recovery works and how to stop or reduce enforcement using realistic offers, Breathing Space, and (where suitable) a single affordable plan such as a DMP, IVA or DRO.
Start My Free CheckMiss an instalment and you’ll typically receive a reminder. Miss again and a final notice can make the full year’s balance due. Contact the council early to propose a realistic arrangement.
If arrears remain, a summons may be issued for a liability-order hearing (costs often added). You can still arrange payment before the hearing; many councils continue with the order but may pause enforcement if a sensible plan is in place.
A liability order gives stronger powers to collect, including bailiffs (enforcement agents) or an Attachment of Earnings Order (AEO). You can still negotiate a plan before or after the LO, and in urgent cases use Breathing Space while a longer-term solution is set up.
Agree a Plan NowFor council tax, bailiffs cannot force entry on a first visit. Speak through the door, keep calm, and try to arrange payments in writing or by phone. Consider a Controlled Goods Agreement only if the payments are truly affordable.
If you’re vulnerable (health, disability, children, pregnancy etc.), tell them — extra protections may apply. We’ll help frame a fair plan and communicate it clearly.
Stop Bailiff ActionAn Attachment of Earnings Order (AEO) tells your employer to deduct from wages after a liability order. Deductions follow set bands; if unaffordable, you can usually apply to vary or suspend by showing a realistic budget and evidence.
Breathing Space can pause most enforcement and freeze most interest/charges for up to 60 days while you get advice and set up a plan. Keep paying current-year council tax where possible. We’ll check eligibility and start it for you if suitable.
Breathing Space GuideInformal, flexible. Creditors often freeze or reduce interest/charges. Good if you want adaptability and can maintain a steady affordable payment.
Formal, legally binding. One affordable monthly payment; remaining eligible debt may be written off at successful completion. Strong protection from most creditor action.
For low income/low assets. Debts typically written off after 12 months if your situation doesn’t improve. Strict eligibility applies.
Unsure? Compare side-by-side at Compare Solutions. We’ll help you choose based on your numbers, not guesswork.
Get My PlanGenerally, no first-visit forced entry for council tax. They can try peaceful entry (open door, invitation). Forced entry is usually limited to cases where a valid Controlled Goods Agreement already exists and has been broken.
Only if the payments are affordable. A CGA lists items and lets you keep them if you stick to the plan. If you break it, agents can come back and remove goods later (even when you’re not home).
Don’t ignore it. You can still contact the council to agree a plan before the hearing. If you attend, take your budget and evidence. Courts rarely debate affordability in depth, but a fair arrangement can still prevent harsh enforcement later.
Yes, you can apply to vary or suspend if it’s unaffordable. Provide income & expenditure and evidence of priority-bill risk. Deduction bands apply by law.
Some routes (e.g., IVA) affect your credit file. The priority is to stabilise the household, protect essentials and stop escalation. We’ll explain trade-offs clearly before you choose.
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