The Ultimate Guide to Dukes Bailiffs Ltd

Has Dukes Bailiffs Limited contacted you? Are you confused about who they are? Are you worried about what to do next?

You are not alone. This ultimate guide will help you understand who Dukes are, why they have contacted you, and what you need to do next.

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Ever-amounting financial struggles can seem like a scary prospect, and you might feel helpless. However, you can take steps to pull yourself out of persistent debt.

Our informative article will teach you your rights and highlight some plausible debt solutions.

Who is Dukes Bailiffs Limited?

Dukes Bailiffs Limited are certified bailiffs that collect and recover debt for various companies in England and Wales.

They have permission from County Court judges to enlist enforcement action by taking control of assets and selling them to recover outstanding debt.

They collect a range of debts for local authorities, such as:

  • Council tax
  • Business rates
  • Parking penalty charge notices
  • Unpaid rent arrears
  • Commercial rent arrears

Other services they offer include trespasser removals and commercial lease forfeiture.

Colin Naylor established Dukes in 1993, a family-run business claiming to hold strong ethics.

What are Dukes Bailiffs’ contact details?

You can get in touch with Dukes to either ask a query or to make a complaint via the following methods:

You can request a call-back or even use their Livechat feature on their site.

Duke’s opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM, so make sure you contact them within these times to receive a response.

Is Dukes Bailiffs Limited a legitimate company?

Yes, Dukes is a legitimate company that collects the council tax, which means you should take them and their attempts at communication very seriously.

They are a listed company on the Certificated Bailiff Register.

Choosing to ignore them and stick your head in the sand could seriously impact your financial situation and credit report.

Keep reading to find out what their bailiffs can and can’t do as they attempt to recover unpaid council tax and other arrears.

Why are Dukes Bailiffs contacting me?

If you have been receiving letters or calls from Dukes Bailiffs, then it probably means you have fallen behind with repayments towards the debt owed to your local authority.

Dukes provide enforcement for around 203 councils in England and Wales, so you likely originally owed money to one of these authorities.

Their high court enforcement officers collect council tax on behalf of many local councils. Be aware that every enforcement notice will come with bailiff fees, so it is in your best interest to promptly respond to Dukes’ communication attempts.

Should I ignore Dukes Bailiff’s debt?

No, you should not ignore Dukes Bailiff’s attempts at communication, as this could lead to more troubles down the line.

Failing to respond to letters or calls could result in further action, such as court orders, including a County Court Judgment.

Find out how to get your County Court Judgements discharged.

Sinking deeper into debt and ignoring chances to make repayments could negatively impact your credit file, so it is always best to openly communicate with Dukes.

Get a Proof of Debt

While you should never ignore Dukes Bailiffs, you also should not pay them straight away without first obtaining Proof of Debt.

Proof of Debt is evidence that the debt in question is most definitely for you and no one else.

There have been occasions where debt enforcement services have intimidated individuals into paying debts that were not even there. So, it is important to check that the debt is yours.

If the Duke’s enforcement agents cannot present you with Proof of Debt, you should not make any payments.

Check if the debt is statute-barred

Debt can become statute-barred if it has not been paid or chased within the past six years.

Your creditors cannot legally chase statute-barred debt, which is classed as written off.

Will Dukes Bailiffs Collectors come to my house?

If you fail to make your monthly payments, there is the chance that enforcement officers or bailiffs will be sent to your home address and pressure you to pay your loans.

You do not have to give the enforcement agent into your home or business premises. It is illegal for them to try and force entry into your property.

To ensure the debt collector doesn’t enter your premises, shut and lock your front door. If you wish, you may pursue a conversation with them out of an open window.

If you don’t want to talk with them, you can request they leave and contact you via a different method, such as phone.

Should an enforcement agent, previously called bailiffs, refuse to leave your premises, call the police.

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What can Dukes Bailiffs do?

There are certain actions that Dukes Bailiffs can or can’t do when they come to your home.

Enforcement and debt collection agents can take the following steps:

  • Attend your home and attempt to reclaim the money.
  • Reach out to you via letter, email, or phone.
  • Incur additional interest or charges to your debt should you continue to miss payments.
  • Send high court enforcement bailiffs to seize assets, normally as a last resort.
  • File for a County Court Judgment if a payment arrangement is not met.

Sometimes, a debt collector might try and push the line, carrying out practices that might not be legal.

Keep reading to ensure you know what Dukes enforcement agents are not permitted to do.

What can’t Dukes Bailiffs do?

Dukes enforcement agents are not permitted to take the following action:

  • Use unclear or confusing jargon to manipulate you.
  • Lie about or provide inaccurate details regarding your debt or payment plan.
  • Inform other individuals about your debt, including your work or family.
  • Threaten or harass you to try and force you to pay.
  • Force entry into your property, either through a door or window.
  • Take property on private land belonging to someone without a court order.

If the Dukes enforcement officer takes any actions listed above, you should file a formal complaint or contact a bailiff helpline immediately.

Can Dukes Bailiffs Limited Break into My House?

Dukes can only gain entry to your premises if they have a warrant, liability order or if you permit them.

If they force entry, they can be considered unauthorised trespassers, and you should call the police.

Bailiffs cannot force their way into your property through any entrance other than a door, and they are not permitted to use intimidation to encourage you to let them in.

What happens if I don’t pay Dukes Bailiffs?

If you refuse to make any payments or to create and meet a reasonable payment plan, then further action will be taken out against you by your creditors.

For example, you may be presented with more intense bailiff action or a court order for your council tax arrears.

You will be charged an enforcement fee every time an enforcement agent visits your premises. Therefore, your debt will only keep growing if you keep ignoring Dukes.

If you are sent to court, you will have to pay the court fees Dukes acquires.

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Can Dukes Bailiffs remove items from my home?

If you let a Dukes Bailiff officer into your home, then they may be able to possess luxury items or non-essential assets, such as televisions, jewellery, or vehicles.

They are not permitted to take essential items, such as Blue Badge vehicles, kitchen appliances such as fridges or microwaves, or items the debtor does not own.

They are certainly not allowed to take your pets or guide dogs. So, if bailiff action escalates and the agent attempts to take your animals or essential assets, make sure you contact the police or a bailiff helpline.

Dukes Bailiffs enforcement fees

When Dukes take out bailiff action, there are additional fees for each enforcement stage.

The fees are as follows:

  • Compliance notice – At the compliance stage, Dukes will send you letters informing you of the debts and requesting payment. This stage comes with a fixed fee of £75.
  • Enforcement – The enforcement stage is when enforcement officers will come to your property and try to reclaim your assets. This stage comes with a fixed fee of £235 and a 7.5% rate over £1,500.
  • Sales of goods – The sale stage is when your assets are sold to pay back the money owed. This stage comes with a fixed fee of £110 and a 7.5% rate over £1,500.

Typically, every debt collection agency will imply similar rates for each collection stage.

Are there any other additional charges that Dukes can attach to your debt?

Yes, alongside the stage of collection fees, you might be given the following charges:

  • Charges for storage if your assets have to be held in a storage facility.
  • Charges for locksmith costs.
  • Dukes has had to pay charges for any court fees to try to reclaim funds.
  • Charges for any auctioneer costs, as well as a commission of up to 15 per cent of the selling cost and fee for advertising the sale of assets.

To avoid these charges, communicate directly with Dukes and set up an achievable payment plan.

How can I make a payment to Dukes Bailiffs for my debt owed?

Dukes allow their debtors to either pay in full or make payments that meet their pre-arranged payment plan.

Debtors can pay via a range of methods, such as via:

  • Use your debit card to make a secure payment using Duke’s payment portal.
  • Pay on the phone using valid debit card details using the Dukes pay line.
  • Set up a standing order payment to Dukes using their online form.
  • Pay by post by sending a cheque or postal order to Duke’s head address.

All payments should include your full name, address, reference or case ID number.

For more detailed information on how to make a payment to Dukes, go to the payment section of their website.

How to make a complaint about a Dukes Bailiffs enforcement agency

If you would like to make a complaint about Dukes then you can either:

  • Call their head office via 01785825500.
  • Send a letter to Dukes address at Compliance Officer, Dukes Bailiffs Limited, Dukes Court, 8 Newcastle Street, Stone, Staffs, ST15 8JT.

If you are not happy with the handling of your complaint or the resolution reached, then you can escalate your complaint to the High Court Enforcement Officers’ Association (HCEOA).

You can contact the HCEOA to make a complaint via the following methods:

How can I stop Dukes’ enforcement agents?

You can try to stop bailiffs’ fees or simply stop bailiffs from showing up at your home by repaying the money owed as soon as possible.

Communicate with Dukes directly

It is important to openly communicate with Dukes about your struggles. If they see you are trying to meet your payments but simply can’t, they may be easier on you.

Some people try to avoid paying, even when they can, so unless Dukes understands your situation personally, they may not be as lenient in offering help, such as a debt arrangement scheme.

Seek out debt solutions

Some debt payment plans or debt management plans could help you meet your monthly instalments.

For more debt advice about debt recovery and enforcement agencies, you should contact a professional advice service, such as a debt charity.

Debt charities provide free impartial debt advice to individuals struggling with financial difficulty.

You can contact a free bailiff helpline if you are struggling with meeting the demands of enforcement representatives or find their debt collection services threatening.

What if I can’t pay Dukes Bailiffs?

If you cannot afford to repay the money that you owe to Dukes Bailiffs Limited, then don’t panic!

You can contact Dukes and arrange an affordable repayment plan, or there is a range of debt solutions you can seek out and debt charities you can speak to that provide debt advice.

Debt management plan

If you find it extremely difficult or impossible to pay your debts off, then a DMP might be a plausible option.

A debt management plan is an informal arrangement that permits individuals struggling with debt to freeze interest rates and make lower, more affordable monthly instalments.

Debt relief order

A debt relief order pauses any debt payments for a whole year, leaving the debtor with more time to save money.

A DRO can be very beneficial for debtors that cannot meet their fixed monthly instalments or have been dealing with bailiffs collecting council tax, business rates, or rent arrears.

Declare bankruptcy

The last resort is to declare yourself bankrupt. Bankruptcy is always the last resort, so make sure you have exhausted every other option before considering filing for bankruptcy.

Always speak with a financial advisor or debt help charity for free advice about any legal power or debt solutions that might impact your situation.

Seek debt advice

Contact a debt helpline if you have received penalty charge notices, court fines, overbearing bailiffs, or any other stressful measures associated with your debt.

You should never have to pay for debt help, so make sure you call a free charity, bailiff helpline, or debt advisory service.

Many companies can provide you with quality advice, sound debt solutions and effective money-saving tips.

FAQs

What if the Dukes Bailiffs letter isn’t for me?

If the letter you have received isn’t for you, then you should contact Dukes to make them aware.

They will then try to collect council tax arrears from the correct individual.

If you fail to highlight the issue to Dukes via phone, email or the Dukes bailiff’s address, they will continue chasing you for the debt recovery.

I have made an arrangement but cannot afford to keep paying regularly

If you cannot meet your original arrangement with Dukes, then get in touch with them to discuss the possibility of revising your plan.

Be sensible and highlight your struggles to Dukes; choosing to miss payments rather than explaining you can no longer afford your plan will only result in county court proceedings and make matters worse.

Can I avoid bailiff fees by paying the Council or Magistrate Court direct?

No, if the bailiff claiming your debts has already been sent to your property, you will already have incurred a compliance fine.

If you have not yet received any enforcement action, you may be able to pay your original creditor directly. However, often this is not permitted.

Summary

Being in debt is scary and can be overwhelming when a debt collector asks you to pay the debt and won’t get off your back.

Understanding Dukes Bailiffs’ rights as a debt collection company are very important, so you know if they are doing everything legally.

Make sure to contact a debt help agency for some further free impartial debt advice, and you can hopefully find a debt solution that suits you.

You don’t want to fall into persistent debt, so contact a professional debt advisor as soon as possible.

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