Newlyn PLC Bailiffs: Council Tax Specialists | 2026

Newlyn PLC is a specialist enforcement agency focused on Council Tax and Business Rates recovery. Unlike tech-giants like Marston Holdings, Newlyn maintains a concentrated focus on traditional, person-centered debt collection.

Headquartered in Henley-on-Thames and ECB accredited since October 2023, Newlyn operates primarily in London and the South East, where councils split enforcement contracts by complexity: Newlyn gets the complex Council Tax work requiring investigation and trace capability, whilst firms like Marston handle automated parking and traffic enforcement.

Quick answers

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Can Newlyn force entry to my home? No. For Council Tax, Business Rates, and parking fines, Newlyn agents have no right to force entry into your home. They can only enter through an open door or if you invite them in. Keep everything locked.

Are they legitimate? Yes. ECB accredited (October 2023). CIVEA member. Operates in London and South East. Specializes in Council Tax and Business Rates recovery for local authorities.

Can an IVA stop them? Yes. Council tax arrears can be included in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement. Once approved, Newlyn must stop all enforcement.

Table of Contents

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• Who are Newlyn PLC?
• What makes Newlyn different from Marston?
• Which councils use Newlyn?
• Newlyn fees explained
• Can Newlyn force entry to my home?
• What Newlyn cannot take
• How to deal with Newlyn
• How to stop Newlyn
• How to complain about Newlyn
• Contact details
• FAQs

Who are Newlyn PLC?

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Newlyn PLC is a private enforcement agency that provides enforcement and debt collection services for local authorities across England and Wales. Despite “PLC” in the name, it’s not a publicly listed company—it operates as a private limited entity.

Corporate headquarters: Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2LT

Regulatory status:

• ECB (Enforcement Conduct Board) accredited: October 2023
• CIVEA (Civil Enforcement Association) member
• Operates under Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2014

Market focus: Newlyn maintains a concentrated focus on local authority debt recovery, specifically:

• Council Tax arrears
• Business Rates (NNDR)
• Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
• Sundry debts

Ownership structure: Newlyn operates under private management—it’s not backed by private equity firms like Marston (owned by ICG and Inflexion with a £700 million valuation). This traditional structure means Newlyn isn’t under the same pressure to deliver aggressive returns to PE investors.

What makes Newlyn different from Marston?

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When councils split enforcement contracts, they typically divide the work between specialist providers:

Example: London Borough of Enfield

Enfield Council awarded its enforcement contract in lots:

• Lot 1 (Newlyn): Council Tax, Business Rates, sundry debts
• Lot 2 (Marston): Parking-related debts

This split reveals what councils value each firm for. Newlyn gets the complex, person-centered work that requires:

• Investigation of addresses and residents
• Trace capability for people who’ve moved
• Negotiation with debtors in financial distress
• Handling disputes about liability

The Marston 2025 overcharging scandal:

In 2025, Marston Holdings was caught systematically overcharging thousands of debtors. Their automated systems failed to “link” multiple road traffic penalties, charging multiple £235 enforcement fees when only one was legal.

Result:

• ~£8 million refund liability
• Transport for London suspended their contract
• ECB imposed unprecedented supervised action plan

Newlyn has not been implicated in similar scandals. This gives Newlyn a competitive advantage—councils are now scrutinising compliance more carefully.

Which councils use Newlyn?

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Newlyn’s geographic strength is in London and the South East.

Westminster City Council: Newlyn received 25% of new instructions under an interim award. Westminster is one of the UK’s wealthiest boroughs with high-value Council Tax recovery.

London Borough of Enfield: Newlyn was awarded Lot 1 of the enforcement contract (Council Tax, Business Rates, sundry debts). Marston received Lot 2 (parking debts).

London Borough of Haringey: Newlyn operates under strict ethical requirements:

• Prohibited from forced entry
• Must establish occupancy before seeking access
• Restricted to hours of 6am to 9pm
• Focus on “minimisation of embarrassment”
• “Avoidance of intimidation” during recovery

These contract terms reveal how councils impose ethical requirements on enforcement firms, especially for person-centered debts like Council Tax.

Newlyn fees explained

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Newlyn charges the same statutory fees as all enforcement agents in England and Wales:

The fee formula:

For debts over £1,500: Total fees = £75 + £235 + 7.5% × (Debt - £1,500)

Example 1: Council Tax arrears of £800

• Compliance fee: £75
• Enforcement fee: £235
• No percentage fee (debt under £1,500)
• Total fees if agent visits: £310

Example 2: Business Rates arrears of £3,000

• Compliance fee: £75
• Enforcement fee: £235
• Percentage fee: 7.5% × (£3,000 - £1,500) = £112.50
• Total fees if agent visits: £422.50

How to avoid the £235 fee: Pay during the Compliance Stage—the 7 clear days after the Notice of Enforcement is posted. If you pay the debt plus the £75 Compliance fee during this period, you avoid the £235 Enforcement visit fee.

Can Newlyn force entry to my home?

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No. For Council Tax, Business Rates, and parking fines, Newlyn agents have no right to force entry into your residential property.

This is explicitly stated in contracts like the London Borough of Haringey agreement, which states that agents are “prohibited from forced entry” and must establish occupancy of premises before seeking access.

How Newlyn can enter:

1. Through an open door – If your door is open (e.g., you’re unloading shopping), they can step inside
2. If you invite them in – If you voluntarily let them enter, they gain the right to take control of goods

Once they’ve gained peaceful entry on a previous visit, they may be able to re-enter through an unlocked door or window on subsequent visits. Never let them in the first time.

Legal visiting hours: Enforcement agents can only visit between 6am and 9pm. This is explicitly stated in contracts like Haringey’s.

Who can be present: Agents cannot enter if the only person present is:

• A child (under 16)
• A person who lacks mental capacity
• Someone who is severely unwell or vulnerable

Ethical requirements (Haringey contract):

• “Minimisation of embarrassment” – Agents must avoid drawing attention to the enforcement action
• “Avoidance of intimidation” – Aggressive tactics are prohibited

What Newlyn cannot take

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Even if a Newlyn agent has gained peaceful entry, there are strict legal limits on what can be seized:

Items that are always exempt:

• Essential household items – Beds, tables, chairs, cookers, fridges, washing machines, heating appliances
• Items for care – Equipment needed for children, elderly, or disabled residents
• Tools of the trade – Equipment you need for work, up to a combined value of £1,350
• Third-party belongings – Items owned by someone else (you need proof: receipts, finance agreements, tenancy agreements)
• Blue Badge vehicles – Cars displaying a valid disabled persons’ Blue Badge
• Work-essential vehicles – If you need your vehicle for work and it’s worth less than £1,350

The practical reality: Actual removal of goods is extremely rare in the enforcement industry. Less than 1% of cases reach the Sale Stage. The cost of removal, storage, and auction sale often exceeds the value recovered from second-hand household goods.

The threat of removal is primarily used as leverage to secure a Controlled Goods Agreement (CGA) and payment plan at the Enforcement Stage.

How to deal with Newlyn

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If you’ve received a Notice of Enforcement:

You have 7 clear days from when it was posted to pay or arrange a plan. During this “Compliance Stage” you’ll only be charged £75. If the 7 days pass and an agent visits, the fee jumps to £235.

First steps:

1. Check which debt Newlyn is enforcing – Council Tax, Business Rates, parking?
2. Verify it’s legitimate – Contact the council directly to confirm the debt exists
3. Check for multiple debts – If you have several warrants, ensure Regulation 11 linking is applied

If you have multiple debts: Request a full fee breakdown from Newlyn. If multiple debts were enforceable together, only one £235 fee should apply (Regulation 11).

If you’re vulnerable: Declare this in writing to both Newlyn and the council:

• Mental health conditions
• Serious illness or disability
• Recent bereavement
• Pregnancy
• Financial crisis

Councils impose ethical requirements on firms like Newlyn (as seen in the Haringey contract), so vulnerability disclosure should trigger a referral back to the council for review.

If an agent is at your door:

• Do not open the door unless you intend to pay immediately
• Speak through a closed door or window
• Ask for their Enforcement Agent Certificate number
• Ask which debt they’re enforcing and which council instructed them
• Do not let them in—once they’ve gained peaceful entry, they can return

If you don’t owe the debt: Provide evidence to the council (not Newlyn)—council tax bills, tenancy agreements, electoral register. Only the council can withdraw the case.

How to stop Newlyn

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1. Pay during the Compliance Stage

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Pay the debt plus £75 within 7 days. Contact the council directly or pay through Newlyn. Avoids the £235 enforcement fee.

2. Apply for Council Tax Reduction

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If you’re on low income or benefits, you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction (CTR). Backdating may reduce or eliminate the arrears. Enforcement should pause whilst the CTR application is assessed.

3. Arrange a payment plan

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Contact Newlyn or the council to propose affordable monthly payments. Provide income and expenditure details. Once a plan is agreed and maintained, enforcement pauses.

4. Contact the council directly

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Councils can instruct Newlyn to pause enforcement. Often faster than dealing with Newlyn’s call centres. Explain your circumstances and propose a direct payment arrangement.

5. Breathing Space

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Apply for Breathing Space through a debt advisor. This gives you 60 days of protection:

• Newlyn cannot visit, add fees, or take control of goods
• Interest frozen
• Time to get proper debt advice

Apply through StepChange, Citizens Advice, or National Debtline.

6. Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

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If you have multiple debts totalling £5,000 or more, an IVA stops Newlyn immediately. Once approved:

• All enforcement action pauses
• Council tax arrears are included
• You make one affordable monthly payment
• After 5-6 years, remaining debt is written off (typically 30-70%)

Check if you qualify for an IVA

7. Provide vulnerability evidence

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If you’re vulnerable, make this clear in writing to both Newlyn and the council. Request that all enforcement action is paused whilst your circumstances are reviewed.

8. Challenge the liability

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If you believe you’re not liable for the Council Tax (e.g., you weren’t living there, student exemption applies), write to the council with evidence. Enforcement should pause whilst liability is reviewed.

How to complain about Newlyn

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1. Newlyn’s internal complaints process Complain to Newlyn first—they have 28 days to respond. Put everything in writing and keep copies. Be specific: dates, agent names, what was said/done.

2. The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) Newlyn has been ECB accredited since October 2023. You must complain to Newlyn first before escalating to the ECB. The ECB can impose sanctions, suspend accreditation, or order compensation.

Website: enforcementconductboard.org.uk

3. CIVEA (Civil Enforcement Association) Newlyn is a CIVEA member. CIVEA operates a professional standards complaints process.

4. The council that instructed Newlyn Newlyn acts on the council’s instructions. Councils have a duty to ensure their contractors comply with ethical standards. Reference the contract requirements (e.g., Haringey’s “no forced entry,” “minimisation of embarrassment”).

5. Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman If your complaint is about the council’s decision to use bailiffs or how they obtained the Liability Order, complain to the Ombudsman.

6. Request body-worn video footage If an agent visited, request body-worn camera footage under data protection law (GDPR). Newlyn must provide this within one month. The footage shows exactly what was said and done.

What to include in your complaint:

• Your case reference number and debt details
• Dates of all correspondence and visits
• Names or ID numbers of agents involved
• Exactly what Newlyn did that you believe was improper
• How you’ve been affected
• What outcome you want
• Supporting evidence

Contact details

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Newlyn PLC Henley-on-Thames RG9 2LT United Kingdom

Regulatory status:

• ECB (Enforcement Conduct Board) accredited: October 2023
• CIVEA (Civil Enforcement Association) member
• Operates under Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2014

How to verify a Newlyn agent: Ask for:

• Their Enforcement Agent Certificate number (verifiable on the Register of Certificated Bailiffs)
• Their ID badge with photo and Newlyn branding
• The debt reference they’re enforcing
• Which council instructed them

Key councils using Newlyn:

• Westminster City Council (25% of new instructions)
• London Borough of Enfield (Lot 1: Council Tax, Business Rates, sundry debts)
• London Borough of Haringey (Revenues Service)

FAQs

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Who are Newlyn bailiffs?

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Newlyn PLC is a specialist enforcement agency focused on Council Tax and Business Rates recovery for local authorities. Headquartered in Henley-on-Thames and ECB accredited since October 2023, Newlyn operates primarily in London and the South East, specializing in person-centered debt recovery.

Is Newlyn the same as Marston?

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No. Newlyn and Marston are separate companies with different specialisms. Newlyn focuses on Council Tax and Business Rates—complex, person-centered debt requiring investigation. Marston Holdings has diversified into tech-driven enforcement (ANPR cameras, ULEZ, IoT sensors). When councils split contracts, Newlyn typically gets Council Tax whilst Marston gets automated parking/traffic enforcement.

Can Newlyn force entry to my home?

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No. For Council Tax, Business Rates, and parking fines, Newlyn agents have no right to force entry. They can only enter through an open door or if you invite them in. London Borough of Haringey’s contract with Newlyn explicitly states agents are “prohibited from forced entry.”

What fees can Newlyn charge?

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Newlyn charges statutory fees: Compliance Stage £75 (when notice sent, 7 days to pay), Enforcement Stage £235 + 7.5% of debts over £1,500 (when agent visits), Sale Stage £110 + 7.5%. For most Council Tax debts under £1,500, total fees are capped at £310 (£75 + £235).

Is Newlyn PLC legitimate?

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Yes. Newlyn is a legitimate, ECB-accredited enforcement company that enforces debts on behalf of local authorities. They operate under Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2014 and are subject to Enforcement Conduct Board oversight. “Legitimate” means they have legal authority—it doesn’t mean you can’t challenge their actions if they breach regulations.

How do I complain about Newlyn?

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Complain to Newlyn directly first (28-day response), then escalate to: ECB (Enforcement Conduct Board)—Newlyn is accredited since October 2023, CIVEA (Newlyn’s professional body membership), the council that instructed them (reference contract requirements), Local Government Ombudsman for council maladministration, or request body-worn video of any visits under GDPR.

Can I stop Newlyn with Breathing Space?

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Yes. Breathing Space gives you 60 days of protection from all enforcement action. Newlyn cannot visit, add fees, or take control of goods during this period. Apply through a debt advice provider like StepChange or Citizens Advice. The scheme is free and pauses all creditor contact.

What can Newlyn take from my home?

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Newlyn can only take non-essential items that belong to you. They cannot take: essential household items (beds, cookers, fridges, heating), tools of trade up to £1,350, third-party belongings (with proof), Blue Badge vehicles, work-essential vehicles under £1,350, or items needed for care of children, elderly, or disabled residents.

Which councils use Newlyn?

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Newlyn operates primarily in London and the South East: Westminster City Council (25% of new instructions), London Borough of Enfield (Lot 1: Council Tax, Business Rates, sundry debts), London Borough of Haringey (Revenues Service enforcement), plus various other London and South East authorities via frameworks.

Is Newlyn ECB accredited?

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Yes. Newlyn PLC achieved ECB (Enforcement Conduct Board) accreditation in October 2023. This demonstrates commitment to independent oversight and higher standards of conduct. ECB accreditation is increasingly required by councils in procurement and gives debtors access to the ECB complaints process.

If you’re dealing with Newlyn and have multiple debts totalling £5,000 or more, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) could stop all enforcement action immediately and consolidate your debts into a single affordable monthly payment.

Check if you qualify for an IVA