If an order for recovery is not paid or challenged within 21 days, the authority can obtain a warrant and pass the debt to enforcement agents. Their fees are fixed by law. From 1 May 2026 the fixed fees went up, so check any bill against the current figures.
The fees an enforcement agent can add
| Stage | Fixed fee | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance (first letter) | £79 | — |
| Enforcement (visit) | £247 | 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 |
| Sale or disposal | £116 | 7.5% of the debt above £1,900 |
Source: Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014, Schedule Table 1 (as amended by SI 2026/366 from 1 May 2026). Our later-stage pack includes a fee check that compares a bailiff's bill with these figures.
Can you still challenge?
Yes, through the TEC out-of-time route if you did not receive the PCN, got no reply to representations or an appeal, or (outside London) had already paid. GOV.UK says enforcement agents will be told to stop while an out-of-time challenge is considered, and must return seized goods if it succeeds. Show the agent any evidence that the PCN was wrongly issued, as TfL suggests, but expect them to say you must pay unless the court process stops them.
Who TfL uses
TfL lists Bristow & Sutor, CDER Group (JBW) and Marston Holdings as its contracted agents. Once a case is with an agent, you usually have to pay the agent, not the authority.
Scotland
Scottish LEZ debts are enforced by sheriff officers, not enforcement agents under the English fees regulations (SSI 2021/177 reg 7(4)).
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Questions people ask
The agent charged a visit fee but never visited.
The enforcement stage fee is linked to the enforcement stage starting. Ask the agent for a breakdown with dates and compare it with the table above.
Sources
Last checked: 13 November 2026. Every fact on this page was checked against these official pages. How we check