If you’ve been contacted by a company called Bristow and Sutor over unpaid council tax debt, you might be confused about how they got your contact details and, more importantly, how you should respond.

Thankfully, we’ve provided you with everything you need to know about this debt recovery firm so you can understand what your next steps should be.

In this guide, we’ll outline Bristow and Sutor in more detail, from where they are based and why they have contacted you to how they carry out the debt recovery process and what to do if you can’t afford to repay the amount they’re asking you to pay.

Who is Bristow and Sutor?

Bristow and Sutor (Bristow & Sutor) is a debt resolution company that specialises in recovering debts owed to local authorities and private landlords. It primarily collects council tax arrears.

The firm was established in 1977, making it one of the oldest debt recovery firms operating in the UK and a leading collector of council tax arrears, benefit overpayments, and non-domestic rates for clients in the public sector.

Acting as trusted intermediaries between their clients and their customers, Bristow and Sutor has built working partnerships with over 120 local authorities across England and Wales as it strives to consistently deliver industry-leading collection performance.

Is Bristow and Sutor regulated?

Because of its status as a civil enforcement firm, Bristow and Sutor are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) like most companies in the debt collection industry. However, it holds several other accreditations and memberships to ensure it upholds the highest possible standards as a changing face of debt resolution.

For example, it is a member of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA), which is the main trade association representing agencies within the civil enforcement sphere. According to its website, the firm achieved a perfect score in its most recent CIVEA audit.

Bristow and Sutor is also a member of the Enforcement Conduct Board, which exists to independently oversee the enforcement industry, and the Money Advice Liaison Group, which is a membership forum that strives to work together to improve the lives of people in debt.

In doing so, the company claims to be ‘committed to driving exceptional results for its clients’.

Where is Bristow and Sutor based?

Bristow and Sutor is based in Redditch, Worcestershire.

The full address is:

Bartleet Road

Washford

Redditch

B98 0FL

Why has Bristow and Sutor contacted me?

If you’ve been contacted by Bristow and Sutor, it means they have been hired by a company you owe money to (e.g. your local council) over an outstanding debt. This is likely to be in relation to an unpaid council tax bill, parking fine, business rates, or court judgment.

Most creditors hire debt recovery companies to carry out the collection process for them because they don’t have the time, resources, or expertise to pursue the debt themselves and would rather focus on lending to prospective customers.

It’s important to cooperate with any debt recovery company when they first get in touch with you. Ignoring them won’t make them go away, it will only make them more determined to get a response from you and they might start contacting you in other ways or more frequently to try to get your attention.

How do Bristow and Sutor carry out the debt recovery process?

By combining experience, technology, data, and behavioural science, Bristow and Sutor claim to use award-winning innovative strategies to collect unpaid debts from customers.

We’ve outlined the steps they typically follow below:

Initial contact

In most cases, they will first get in touch with you via letter or phone call asking for full payment within a certain timeframe (usually seven days).

They can also add a £75 collection fee on top of your outstanding balance just for reaching out to you, which you’ll need to pay alongside your unpaid debt.

Enforcement action

Failure to repay the debt in full could lead to bailiff action being brought against you. This usually involves them sending you an enforcement notice and instructing enforcement agents to visit your home or business premises to recover payment of the debt.

There will also be additional fees added at this stage.

Controlled goods agreement

If the debt remains unpaid at this stage, enforcement agents will visit you again with a controlled goods agreement, which is a list of your belongings that they will return to seize if you don’t keep up with an agreed payment arrangement.

When a bailiff visits you a second time, they can use reasonable force to gain entry. This means that they can use a locksmith or other specialist equipment to enter your home if necessary.

What rights do I have against debt collectors and bailiffs?

In the UK, you have rights when dealing with debt collectors and bailiffs. This includes the right to privacy, the right to fair treatment, and the right to put a stop to unwanted contact to ensure an efficient debt resolution process which delivers results.

There are also certain rules debt collectors and bailiffs must follow when recovering unpaid debts. For example, they must not harass, intimidate, mislead, or pressure you into paying more than you’re comfortable with and are limited in how and when they can contact you.

If you believe you have been treated unfairly at any stage of the debt recovery process, you have the right to complain to the company they work for. If the standards of service delivered fall short of your expectations, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Can Bristow and Sutor enforcement agents take me to court?

Yes, Bristow and Sutor can begin insolvency proceedings against you if you continue to ignore your unpaid debts and you fail to come to a mutual agreement over how to repay the debt.

The most common form of legal action taken by enforcement agents in England and Wales is a County Court Judgment (CCJ). A CCJ is a type of court order that essentially means the court has ordered you to repay a debt as per their instructions.

This could mean that you’re asked to repay a debt in full or in instalments. CCJs are also listed on your credit file for six years and you could be subject to further action if you continue to refuse to pay what you owe.

What are my options if I can’t afford to pay Bristow and Sutor bailiffs?

If you want to deal with your unaffordable debt but can’t afford to pay it back in full, some people find a debt solution helpful in allowing them to settle their balance in a way that’s manageable for them.

There are various debt solutions in the UK, some of which you might be eligible for. We’ve outlined some in more detail below:

Individual Voluntary Arrangement

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a formal agreement between you and your creditors to repay your debt at a rate you can comfortably afford. It typically lasts between five and six years, during which time you’ll be protected from creditor contact and legal action.

The payments you’ll make during your IVA will be calculated based on your income and expenses. This should mean you’re able to make debt repayments alongside your other regular expenses, such as rent, bills, and transport.

Once you’ve made your final IVA payment, any debt that is included in the arrangement but not repaid will be written off.

Debt Management Plan

A Debt Management Plan (DMP) allows you to pay off your debt in a way that’s more manageable for you. It might be suitable for you if you have non-priority debts, such as credit cards, loans, overdrafts, and overdrafts.

It’s overseen by a credit counselling agency, which negotiates with your creditors on your behalf to create a new payment plan that more closely aligns with your financial situation.

Because you need to pay back 100% of your debt with a DMP, it will last for as long as it takes for you to settle your total balance.

Debt Relief Order

A Debt Relief Order (DRO) is a solution that can give you some much-needed relief from your unaffordable debt.

DROs typically last 12 months, during which time you won’t have to pay anything towards your debt and your creditors won’t be able to take legal action against you.

Once 12 months of non-payment have passed, the debts included in the DRO will be written off and you won’t be asked to pay them again.

How can I stop bailiff action?

Being contacted by bailiffs can be scary, but there are several things you can do to stop enforcement action before it starts.

Pay the debt in full

The quickest way to put a stop to bailiff action is to pay the debt in full as soon as possible. This isn’t always an option – especially if you’re struggling financially – but if you have the means to do so, you should aim to settle your balance as quickly as you can.

Paying the debt in full will also prevent further interest and charges from being added.

Enter into a debt solution

Entering into a legally binding debt solution, such as an IVA, will put a stop to bailiff action as you’re actively making payments towards all the included debts and your creditors will be prevented from taking further legal action against you.

This will also succeed in putting a stop to any extra fees being added to your outstanding balance so you can relax knowing you’re on the way to a healthier financial future.

Arrange a payment plan

If you want to deal with your debt but can’t afford to pay it all at once, it’s in your best interest to arrange a payment plan.

This can allow you to tackle your debt at a pace that works for you and avoid legal action.