We are committed to treating residents facing council tax arrears with respect, fairness, and compassion. We adopted an ethical debt collection policy in 2019 and ceased using bailiffs/enforcement agents for vulnerable households in council tax arrears.
Key elements of Haringey’s ethical debt collection
Here to help
We encourage residents to contact us early who are struggling, and signpost them to support such as advice services, benefits checks, and budgeting help.
Affordable repayment plans
We’ll assess household income and expenses and agree a repayment schedule that is realistic and manageable.
No bailiff referrals for vulnerable cases
Residents showing financial difficulty or vulnerability will not be referred to enforcement agents. This recovery methos is applied to those who can pay but consistently refuse and have not engaged through alternative repayment methods offered.
Transparent communication
We will provide clear information at every stage—what options you have, exploring special arrangements tailored to individual’s circumstances, and next steps.
Regular review and monitoring
The policy and performance will be reviewed annually, including the number of enforcement actions, repayment successes, and resident feedback.
What it means for you
If you’re struggling, contact us. You’ll be treated fairly and have access to support and realistic repayment plans.
If you’re able to pay but haven’t, we will offer options and will use legal action only as a last resort.
If you fall behind, you’ll receive support before any enforcement action is considered.
Impact and transparency
We will regularly review feedback from residents in arrears to learn from your experiences and improve our approach.
Support and information
If you are experiencing difficulties:
- Visit our benefits and financial support pages
- Contact our financial support team
If you do not engage or repeatedly ignore agreed plans, only then will formal recovery procedures – including court action – be considered.