17,000 council tax debts handed to Sussex bailiffs last year

In the 2025/26 financial year, councils across Sussex referred at least 17,800 council tax arrears cases to bailiffs.

The findings, uncovered via Freedom of Information requests by the charity National Debtline for their annual Stop the Knock campaign, have sparked fresh warnings from debt campaigners regarding the impact of aggressive enforcement on financially vulnerable residents. 

Key Statistics & Regional Differences

• Local Contrast: Brighton and Hove City Council and Adur District Council actively exempt residents who receive Council Tax Support from bailiff action. 
• No Protections: Authorities like Lewes, Eastbourne, Mid Sussex, Horsham, and Rother do not exempt vulnerable Council Tax Support recipients from enforcement. 
• National Context: Across England and Wales, councils referred a massive 1.72 million council tax debts to bailiffs in 2025/26 as total national arrears climbed to £7.4 billion. 

Upcoming Regulatory Changes

To combat the reliance on aggressive collection methods, the government has slated reforms for 2027. These incoming measures include: [1]

• Extending the grace period before a full year's council tax can be legally demanded after a missed payment.
• Introducing more affordable, standardised repayment options.
• Capping court fees at £100 to stop debts from quickly spiralling out of control. 

What to Do If You Receive a Bailiff Notice

If you are facing enforcement action for council tax arrears, take these immediate steps:

1. Check for a Liability Order: Councils do not use County Court Judgments (CCJs) for council tax; they must secure a Liability Order from a magistrates' court before using bailiffs. 
2. Do Not Ignore the Letters: Bailiffs (enforcement agents) must issue a notice of enforcement at least 7 clear days before they visit.
3. Contact the Council Directly: You can ask the council to take the debt back from the bailiffs if you can prove you are vulnerable or can agree to a realistic payment plan. 
4. Seek Free Help: Contact free, independent advice services like National Debtline or Citizens Advice to understand your rights regarding bailiff entry and goods removal