Sale Stage Fee

The Sale stage fee applies when the bailiff attends to remove controlled goods.

Non-High Court debt enforcement.

The Sale Stage fee is set by Table 1 in the Schedule of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014.


In order to take control of goods, a bailiff must undertake one of the following actions:

For commercial premises, they must secure the premises with the goods inside or apply a wheel-clamp to a vehicle located on the debtor's property.

If the goods are on a public highway, they must relocate and secure the goods or vehicle elsewhere.

They may physically remove the goods from the premises.

Alternatively, they may establish a Controlled Goods Agreement.

The Law:

Paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (the 2007 Act) states:

Ways of taking control

(1)To take control of goods an enforcement agent must do one of the following—

(a)secure the goods on the premises on which he finds them;

(b)if he finds them on a highway, secure them on a highway, where he finds them or within a reasonable distance;

(c)remove them and secure them elsewhere;

(d)enter into a controlled goods agreement with the debtor.


Regulation 5 of Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014

Stages of enforcement for which fees may be recovered – enforcement other than under High Court writs

5.—(1) The relevant stages of enforcement under an enforcement power which is not conferred by a High Court writ are as follows—

(a) the compliance stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the receipt by the enforcement agent of instructions to use that procedure in relation to a sum to be recovered up to but not including the commencement of the enforcement stage;

(b) the enforcement stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the premises in relation to the instructions up to but not including the commencement of the sale or disposal stage;

(c) the sale or disposal stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the property for the purpose of transporting goods to the place of sale, or from commencing preparation for sale if the sale is to be held on the premises, until the completion of the sale or disposal (including application of the proceeds and provision of the information required by regulation 14).

(2) Where the goods against which enforcement is sought are securities, the sale or disposal stage commences with the provision of a notice of disposal in accordance with paragraph 49(2) of Schedule 12.