What happens if you do not pay
If you do not pay your Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or Notice to Owner within the required time limit, we’ll send you a Charge Certificate. This increases the amount you owe by 50%.
If you still do not pay your PCN, we’ll register it as a debt with the court. This adds a £10 court registration fee.
If the charge still is not paid, the court will authorise a warrant of control. This is passed to an enforcement agent (bailiff) to collect the money owed.
This can add extra fees to your debt:
- compliance stage fee – £75
- enforcement fee – £235
- sale or disposal fee – £110
For warrants issued on or after 1 May 2026, new fees apply under The Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026:
- compliance stage fee – £79
- enforcement fee – £247
- sale or disposal fee – £116
We only use enforcement agents as a last resort.
If you’re struggling to pay
If you’re struggling to pay a PCN, please contact us on 023 9268 8310 (select option 2). We may be able to set up a payment plan, but not after a warrant has been issued.
Once a warrant is issued, you’ll need to contact the enforcement agent directly to pay. We use three enforcement agents: Bristow and Sutor, Marston Group and Newlyn. If you receive a Notice of Enforcement from one of these enforcement agents, we strongly advise you to contact them immediately. Enforcement agents calculate their fees based on legal rules. More fees apply for actions like removing goods.
If you’re unsure about an agent’s identity, check their details on the Certificated Enforcement Agent Register – GOV.UK.