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Bristow & Sutor

·3132 words·15 mins

Do you owe money to Bristow and Sutor?
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Who are Bristow and Sutor?
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Bristow and Sutor are enforcement agents—also known as bailiffs. They’ve been operating in England and Wales since 1977 and are best known for collecting unpaid council tax, business rates, and parking fines.

They’re hired by local councils and other creditors to recover debts. Unlike some companies, they directly employ their agents, which gives them more control over how they operate.

In some cases, they also use a second company called Credit Security to collect other types of debt, like overpaid housing benefit or former tenant arrears.

What powers do they have?

Bristow and Sutor are not standard debt collectors—they’re bailiffs. That means they have extra powers. If you don’t deal with the debt, they could visit your home and try to take your vehicle or other belongings to cover the balance.

If they’ve contacted you, don’t ignore it. The further things go, the harder it gets to stop.

There is help available. If you qualify, we can give you a reference number to show that you’re in a debt solution. Once that’s in place, Bristow and Sutor must stop contacting you or visiting your home.

But you need to act now—before they take further steps. Get in touch today for free, confidential support.

Overview of Bristow and Sutor
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Bristow and Sutor is a leading provider of debt resolution services for local authority and public sector clients. They specialise in collecting unpaid council tax debt, penalty charge notices, and business rates. With a strong presence in the UK, they handle over 3,250,000 cases per year, making them one of the largest debt collection companies in the country.

Their extensive experience and market-leading technology enable them to deliver efficient and ethical debt recovery solutions, ensuring that local authorities can recover outstanding debts effectively.

What services do Bristow and Sutor offer?
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Bristow and Sutor offers a comprehensive range of services designed to help local authorities and public sector clients recover outstanding debt in an efficient and ethical way. Their services include:

  • Council Tax Collections and Enforcement: Helping local authorities collect unpaid council tax.

  • Non-domestic Rates and Bid Levy Collection: Assisting in the recovery of business rates and bid levies.

  • Collection of Unpaid Parking Fines: Managing the collection of penalty charge notices.

  • Sundry Debt Recovery: Recovering various other types of debts, such as overpaid housing benefits.

  • High Court Enforcement: Enforcing high court judgments to recover debts.

These services are tailored to meet the specific needs of their clients, ensuring that outstanding debts are recovered efficiently and ethically.

What happens if I don’t pay Bristow and Sutor?
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Their collection services follow three stages:

Compliance Stage
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You’ll receive a Compliance Notice in relation to the money you owe, giving you seven days to come to a payment arrangement with them. At this stage, the letters will ask for payment in full of the money you owe to their client. They will add their collection fees of £75 on top.

Enforcement Notice
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If you don’t pay, then they can issue you with a compliance order called a Notice of Civil Enforcement. This notice acts as a warning that enforcement agents are preparing to visit your house if you don’t make arrangements to repay your debt and their additional fee. At this stage, their fees comprise:

  • £235 fee

  • In addition, 7.5% of any debt amount over £1,500.

Controlled Goods Agreement
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If you still haven’t paid your council tax or any remaining debts, Bristow and Sutor debt collectors will come back with a Controlled Goods Agreement. They will make an inventory of your goods which can be seized and sold. For example, a car or other equipment that you own.

If you sign the Controlled Goods Agreement, it will give you further seven days to repay your debts in full, including their fees. At this stage they add a fee of £110 plus 7.5% of any debt amount over £1,500.

What is the debt recovery process?
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If you owe money and Bristow and Sutor have been asked to collect it, here’s what usually happens:

First, they’ll send you a letter or email explaining what you owe and asking for payment. If you don’t respond, they may send reminder notices. These can include extra charges.

If the debt still isn’t paid, they’ll send an enforcement notice. This gives them the legal right to take further action.

Next, an enforcement agent may visit your home. They’ll ask you to pay or agree to a payment plan. If you can’t or don’t respond, they may try to take belongings to cover the debt.

That’s why it’s important to act early—before it reaches this stage. If you’ve been contacted, get in touch with us. We can explain your rights and help you deal with it properly.

But what if I don’t owe money to Bristow and Sutor?
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If Bristow and Sutor are chasing you for unpaid council tax, or other monies, that do not relate to you, then you should contact them immediately to explain the situation. They may ask to see your ID before they will remove your details from their collection database.

In some cases, they may direct you to speak to your local council to resolve the issue of who is liable for the unpaid bill. In this scenario, the agency will continue to chase you for payment until their client tells them to stop.

What are my rights and protections as a debtor?
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If you’re in debt, you still have rights. It’s important to know what you’re entitled to, so you can deal with the situation confidently.

You have the right to be treated fairly. Debt collectors must not harass you, threaten you, or behave aggressively.

You have the right to clear information. They must explain who you owe, how much, and what your options are.

You can ask questions, dispute the debt if something doesn’t look right, or ask to set up a payment plan.

You’re also allowed to get help. Speaking to a debt adviser can make the process easier and help stop things from getting worse.

Understanding your rights means you’re less likely to be pushed around—and more likely to find a solution that works.

Can Bristow and Sutor enforcement agent force entry into my property?
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Bristow and Sutor are generally not allowed to force entry into your home to collect unpaid council tax and other monies owed to local authorities. The only time a bailiff can force entry into your home is as a last resort on rare occasions if they are collecting debts such as:

  • Unpaid criminal fines
  • Income Tax
  • Stamp Duty.

Even in these cases, they will send a warning letter before their planned visit. Enforcement agents can only use reasonable force to enter your home, which generally means using the services of a locksmith.

If your debt relates to council tax, then bailiffs can not force entry. They also can not push past anyone who opens the door to them.

Can Bristow and Sutor remove goods?
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They will remove goods to the value of the debt amount. They are allowed to seize any vehicles which you have parked outside of your property that belongs to you.

We recommend that you remove any cars from outside of your property before the bailiffs visit, because they may be at risk of being clamped.

Bristow and Sutor can not take goods that do not belong to the person who owes the money – the debtor. However, this is tricky as it is up to you to prove to them that the item is not yours.

They do not have the authority to seize any essential items, such as:

  • Kitchen appliances
  • Assistance dogs
  • Things which are necessary for your work, up to a value of £1,350
  • Bedding
  • Medical equipment

After the removal of these goods, the collectors will complete a valuation and put the items up for sale by auction, to recover the cost of your debt. You should receive notice of the date of the auction and where they will be selling your goods.

Are Bristow and Sutor legitimate debt collection companies?
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Bristow and Sutor are a legitimate enforcement agency, and they come under the regulation of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA).

As members of the CIVEA, Bristow and Sutor have to follow a stringent code of conduct and they must deal with vulnerable debtors in a particular way.

They are also members of:

  • IRRV, The Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation
  • CSA, The Credit Services Association
  • Cyber Essentials
  • Citizens Advice
  • And others.

Regulation and Legitimacy
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Bristow and Sutor is a regulated enforcement agency. They’re members of both the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) and the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV). As part of the CIVEA code of practice, they’re expected to act fairly and transparently.

While they’re well-established, not every experience is positive. Some people have reported being treated poorly. That’s why it’s important to approach any enforcement action with care and to understand your rights.

You may be able to dispute the debt or agree on a payment plan. But if you don’t respond, Bristow and Sutor can take further steps—such as applying for a County Court Judgment (CCJ) or sending bailiffs to your home.

If you’re struggling with debt, don’t wait. Speak to someone who can guide you. A debt adviser can explain your options, speak to Bristow and Sutor on your behalf, and help prevent things from getting worse.

There are formal debt solutions—like an IVA or Debt Relief Order—that could protect you from enforcement action and help you get back on track.

You don’t have to face this alone. Help is available.

How can I make a complaint about the behaviour of Bristow and Sutor Enforcement Agency?
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Remember to keep a copy of any letters that you send.

If you are dissatisfied with their response, you can escalate your complaint to the High Court Enforcement Officers’ Association in the following ways:

Are Bristow and Sutor High Court Bailiffs?
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Yes. Bristow and Sutor are High Court Bailiffs, otherwise known as Enforcement Agents. They are registered to collect County Court debts, and their clients are usually local councils. Their most common debts are council tax debt, non-domestic rates and parking fines.

Bristow and Sutor have the following rights when collecting money owed to their clients, such as unpaid council tax:

  • They can call you as many times in a day as can be considered ‘reasonable’. They can call you from different telephone numbers to increase their chances of reaching you.
  • They can send you letters about the money they believe you owe.
  • They can visit you at home to discuss your debt, but you do not have to let them in. They are not allowed to push past you into the house, or to enter if no adults are present. They can visit you anytime between 6 am and 9 pm.
  • If your business owes money for business rates, then Bristow and Sutor can visit your business premises.
  • They can ask you to repay the money you owe, such as your council tax, plus their collection fees.
  • They may be able to seize good or property left outside of your home and sell them to repay the money you owe.
  • They can only force entry to inspect or seize goods and property that is subject to a controlled goods agreement. In most cases, forcing entry involves using a locksmith rather than breaking down a door.
  • If you do not respond to their communications, and fail to agree to a repayment method, they may take you to court. This legal action could result in them receiving a court order to reclaim the money; for example, an attachment of earnings order enables them to take money directly from your wages to repay your debts.

If you receive a visit from an enforcement agent, you can ask them to show you their ID through a closed window, and proof of the debt they are collecting. They can not pretend to have official court documents unless they have received a court order. They also can not threaten you with jail, if you do not pay.

How do you stop Bristow and Sutor bailiffs?
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You can stop Bristow and Sutor by taking proactive action to manage your debts. Your options include:

  • Paying the money you owe, such as overdue council tax, or any rates you owe on your business premises.
  • Taking a formal debt management solution such as an IVA, a debt relief order or bankruptcy.
  • Asking for some time to seek formal debt advice. Most enforcement agents will honour your right to have a period of ‘breathing space’ to get your financial matters in order. This option is only a temporary solution while you get support with your next steps.

The worst thing you can do is ignore the issue, because your problem will quickly escalate if you are not opening your post and responding to their messages. The more visits you receive from the company, the more they will add additional fees and other costs to your debts.

If Bristow and Sutor are chasing you and you are in doubt about the best course of action, then get in touch with us at IVA Advice as soon as possible. We’ll review the details of your case and let you know the options available to you, before your situation (and charges) escalate.

Can I get my unpaid council tax written off?
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If you have debts of over £5,000, including any unpaid council tax that you owe, then you may qualify for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

Your total debts can include:

Where can I receive free support for my financial issues?
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If you’ve received a payment demand from a debt collector then there are many organisations in the UK that you can turn to for support and a solution, including:

  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • National Debtline
  • StepChange
  • The Money Advice Service

These organisations produce content to help everybody who is facing a debt issue to understand the law, regulations and the options at their disposal.

We are incredibly proud of the number of people who have been able to turn their lives around after using our support to get their financial situation in order. You can read reviews and feedback from many of our clients online.

Testimonials
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“Thanks so much to Ethan & Matt for guiding me through the initial process. They were professional, informative and highly supportive.““Good advice and very helpful.““Very helpful and supportive of my situation no judging talked me through the process very professional.”

Bristow and Sutor Frequently Asked Questions
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You can contact them about your debt recovery process in the following ways:

What about a Bristow and Sutor free phone number? The website does not list a Bristow Sutor free phone number.

In some cases you may receive a visit from Credit Services Limited who you can contact in the following ways:

  • Post: Credit Security Limited The Old Court House High Street Whitchurch Buckinghamshire HP22 4JS
  • Online: www.creditsecurity.co.uk

Making payments

It is important that you do not pay the money you owe for council tax etc to the council if Bristow and Sutor are pursuing you for it.

Instead you can make a payment directly on their website at www.bristowsutor.co.uk/pay. You will need to input your case number to be able to login.

Yes.

They collect Penalty Charge Notices relating to traffic-related penalties or penalties for parking contraventions that have been issued by the local council. You may receive one of these notices if you park your vehicle in the wrong place or if you are caught violating traffic rules.

The Traffic Enforcement Centre, which is a part of the County Court, can issue a Warrant of Control against you if you do not pay your Penalty Charge Notice(s) on time.

Bristow and Sutor may pass this type of liability to one of their agencies called Credit Security. This collector also deals with debts relating to overpaid housing benefits and unpaid rent from tenants.

Your local council may also appoint Bristow and Sutor if you own or manage a business that is in arrears with business rates. The enforcement agency will contact you to arrange a repayment in full or a repayment plan for the unpaid business rates; similar to the process and powers they have for unpaid council tax.

If your business is unable to pay its business rates, the council may begin insolvency proceedings, and the business could become bankrupt. It’s best to seek support as soon as possible if your business is facing enforcement action. Make sure that you seek advice from an organisation that understands the regulations regarding unpaid business rates, for example, one that has experience in business liquidations and business administrations.

If the business with unpaid business rates is structured as a Limited Company, then you may not have a personal liability for the business rates it owes. However, if the company has a registered office address at your home address or you work from home, enforcement agencies, like Bristow and Sutor, are likely to visit you there as they attempt to recover the money owed to their client.

What if I can not afford to repay the council tax etc that I owe Bristow and Sutor?
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If your debts for council tax and other monies are more than you can afford to repay in a lump sum, then you may be able to negotiate a repayment plan with the enforcement agency.

The worst course of action is to ignore your unpaid council tax. The Magistrates Court may issue a Council Tax Liability Order if you haven’t paid your council tax bill. This order enables your local authority to take legal action against you to recover the money you owe. At this stage councils usually notify collectors, such as Bristow and Sutor, to collect the unpaid council tax.

Senior Debt Specialist at IVA Advice
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I am a Debt Specialist with over 10 years of experience working with FCA Regulated Finance Companies in the insurance, credit card, loan and debt industry.

I am very familiar with The Civil Enforcement Association and the High Court Enforcement Officers Association and I have written extensively on debt matters.

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