About Jacobs Enforcement
Jacobs Enforcement Limited, company number 15480247, is a firm of enforcement agents at 6 Europa Boulevard in Birkenhead. Jacobs says it has been established since 1959. It joined ColX Group in May 2024, alongside Equita and Ross & Roberts, and it is accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board.
Jacobs collects council tax, business rates, parking fines, commercial rent arrears, former tenant arrears, housing benefit overpayments and sundry debts for councils. It is contracted by HM Courts and Tribunals Service for unpaid court fines, and says it is the primary contractor in Wales for warrants of control and arrest for criminal fines. Manchester City Council lists it as one of its enforcement agents.
Jacobs is not part of Marston. GOV.UK lists Jacobs Enforcement separately as one of the firms that can employ Approved Enforcement Agents for court fines. You can write to Jacobs to pause enforcement if you are vulnerable, offer a payment plan, complain or challenge fees.
What Jacobs Enforcement Enforces
- Council tax and business rates
- Parking fines
- Commercial rent arrears and former tenant arrears
- Housing benefit overpayments and sundry council debts
- Unpaid court fines, warrants of control and arrest warrants for HMCTS
What a Letter from Jacobs Enforcement Looks Like
- A Notice of Enforcement from Jacobs, naming the creditor and your case reference.
- A £79 compliance fee, which Jacobs says is added when the first Notice of Enforcement is issued, then at least £247 if an agent visits.
- Phone numbers 0345 601 2692 for most cases and 0330 056 3323 for HMCTS court fines and warrants, and 0330 008 0430 for the 24-hour payment line.
- The postal address Jacobs Enforcement Ltd, 6 Europa Boulevard, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4PE.
- Phone lines open Monday to Thursday 8am to 7pm, Friday 8am to 6.30pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.
Your Rights with Bailiffs
Notice before a visit
For notices given from 1 May 2026, you must get at least 14 clear days' notice before goods are taken. If a debt advice provider asks before that period ends, it is extended to at least 28 clear days.
Fixed fees
For most debts, from 1 May 2026 the fees are £79 at the compliance stage, £247 plus 7.5% of the amount over £1,900 once an agent visits, and £116 plus 7.5% over £1,900 at the sale stage. High Court writs have their own scale.
Visiting hours and entry
Bailiffs cannot take control of goods before 6am or after 9pm. For most debts you do not have to let them in, and they cannot force their way in. Forced entry is only allowed in limited cases, such as some unpaid criminal fines.
What they cannot take
Items you need for your work up to £1,350 in total, and household essentials such as a cooker, fridge, washing machine and beds. They also cannot take goods that belong to someone else.
Children and vulnerable people
Bailiffs must not take control of goods if a child under 16 or a vulnerable person is the only person at home.
Common Situations
A Notice of Enforcement for council tax
The council has a liability order and has passed the debt to Jacobs. For notices from 1 May 2026, you must get at least 14 clear days before goods can be taken. Use that time to pay, offer an affordable plan or get free debt advice.
A letter about a court fine
Jacobs enforces unpaid court fines for HMCTS on 0330 056 3323. Fines are treated more strictly than council debts, and forced entry is allowed as a last resort. Contact Jacobs straight away to pay or agree a plan.
You are getting help from a debt adviser
ColX Group, which owns Jacobs, says that once an advice agency confirms an appointment, it will put the case on hold for at least 14 days. Ask your adviser to contact Jacobs.
You are vulnerable or struggling
ColX Group has a Welfare Team on 0345 450 9747 and welfare@colxgroup.com. Tell Jacobs in writing about your circumstances and ask for enforcement to be paused and your case referred back to the creditor.
You cannot afford to pay in full
Offer an amount you can keep up, in writing, and ask Jacobs not to visit while you keep to it. If it will not agree, ask it to pass your offer to the creditor.
Fees you think are wrong
The enforcement fee can only be charged once an agent has visited. Ask in writing for a breakdown of every fee, with the date and stage of each.
Complaining About Jacobs Enforcement
You can complain to Jacobs by email to complaint@jacobsenforcement.com or by post to Jacobs, 6 Europa Boulevard, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4PE. Jacobs says it acknowledges complaints within 2 days and sends a full response within 10 working days.
If you are still unhappy, you can go to the creditor, such as the council or HMCTS, the Enforcement Conduct Board, or, through the council, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
If You Are Struggling
ColX Group, which owns Jacobs, has a dedicated Welfare Team on 0345 450 9747 and welfare@colxgroup.com. Its policy covers Breathing Space and says it will put a case on hold for at least 14 days once an advice agency confirms an appointment.
Write to Jacobs Enforcement by Post
Our Letter to Bailiffs is written from your answers in the letter builder. You choose what it does: ask for enforcement to be paused because you are vulnerable, offer a payment plan, complain about a visit, challenge the fees, or say that you do not owe the debt. Check the finished letter before you pay, then we print it and post it by Royal Mail.
- Quotes the rules that apply to your request
- Uses the fee scale and notice period in force since 1 May 2026
- Gives the firm 14 days to reply in writing
- Says where you will take your complaint next
Write to the Bailiffs
- Guided step by step in the letter builder
- See the finished letter before you pay
- Printed and posted by Royal Mail
- Tracked delivery available
From £2.79, including printing and Royal Mail postage. Nothing to add.