If you’ve been contacted by the CDER Group, it means you likely owe money to a creditor who has passed the debt onto them to collect on their behalf. Most creditors do this so they can focus on their core business and avoid further collection costs.

This can be a stressful experience – especially if you didn’t know you had an unpaid debt or you’ve never heard of the company that’s contacting you – but it’s important to find out as much as you can about the situation before you agree to anything.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the CDER Group, including the types of debt they typically collect, how to respond to contact from them, and what to do if you can’t afford to repay the money you owe.

Who is the CDER Group?

Drawing from the expertise, experience, and reputation of three of the UK’s leading enforcement and debt recovery providers, JBW Group, Phoenix Commercial Collections, and Collect Services, the CDER Group is a debt collection company that specialises in recovering debts on behalf of local authorities and central government departments.

According to their website, their system’s unique single customer view architecture, combined with advanced analysis and reporting tools, is ‘supporting intelligence-led decisions and actions to provide a better outcome’ with faster engagement, higher response rates and fairer resolutions.

The CDER Group companies provide fast, effective solutions for the recovery of various debts. Some of the specialist capabilities offered across the group include former tenant arrears, housing benefit overpayments, commercial rent arrears, recovery, forfeiture, and possession.

Since the firm was founded in 2020, it has grown to become one of the UK’s biggest providers of enforcement agent services with over 200 employees and a broad range of government and commercial clients. However, the companies that make up the CDER Group have been operating independently before that date – some as early as 2004.

What enforcement agent services does the CDER Group carry out?

The CDER Group is a trusted collections partner providing market-leading solutions for a wide range of clients. In doing so, it focuses on five key areas of debt collection: council tax arrears, road traffic charges, court fines, non-domestic rates and BIDs, and clear air zone penalty notices.

We’ve outlined each of these types of debt and what they mean in more detail below:

Council tax arrears

The CDER Group helps local authorities recover council tax arrears from residents, including those on council tax reduction schemes (CTRS).

They deal with each case on an individual basis, striving to treat people with fairness and respect – especially those who find themselves in a vulnerable position.

Road traffic charges

Another key specialisation of the CDER Group is the recovery of road traffic charges, particularly unpaid parking fines, congestion charges, and charges for non-compliant vehicles in Low Emission Zones (LEZs).

They work closely with Transport for London (TfL) and Highways England to recover these debts.

Court fines

The CDER Group is contracted by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to enforce debts in relation to Community Penalty Breach Warrants.

They are the primary contractor in the London, South-East, and Midlands regions and the secondary contractor for the rest of England and Wales.

Non-domestic rates and BIDs

The CDER Group has a specialist team dedicated to engaging with business owners to recover the payment of debts without the need for enforcement action.

They conduct research into the company’s trading history to determine their ability to pay in the hopes of resolving the case as soon as possible without disrupting their ability to trade as normal.

Clear air zone penalty notices

Clean air zones have been introduced in several UK cities in partnership with local authorities and the government in an attempt to improve air quality and reduce pollution.

Driving in one of these zones in a vehicle that’s non-compliant will result in a penalty notice which can be chased by the CDER Group.

Where is the CDER Group based?

The CDER Group is based in London, UK.

The full address is:

Peninsular House

36 Monument Street

London

EC3R 8LJ

Is the CDER Group regulated?

The CDER Group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is the independent regulator that oversees the professional conduct of over 50,000 financial services companies throughout the UK. Because of this, they must always act in a way that falls within the rules and regulations of the FCA. That is, to carry out their duties in a way that is ethical, legal, and fair.

The CDER Group also operate their own framework for fairness. Three years in the making, it’s described as a set of internal guidelines that ensure all engagement with clients, customers, and staff is centred around the standard of ‘fairness in operation’ – especially when dealing with vulnerable people.

Finally, all company operations are scrutinised by the Independent Advisory Group (IAP), which is a group of respected industry figures with the expertise and know-how to ensure high standards are consistently being met.

How should I deal with contact from the CDER Group?

Receiving a letter from a debt collection agency can be overwhelming. For example, do you settle as soon as possible or explore options for negotiation? We’ve explored your options for dealing with contact from the CDER Group below:

Verify the agent’s identity

The Certificated Bailiff Register administered by HMCTS holds details of all enforcement agents who hold the relevant certification granted by a judge. If you’re contacted by an enforcement agent claiming to be from the CDER Group, it’s crucial you verify their identity.

The register can be searched by name or by other details.

Pay in full

If you agree to owing the full amount you’re being asked to pay, the simplest way to resolve the issue is to pay the debt in full as soon as possible. This will settle the debt and put a stop to any further contact, legal action and interest, charges, and fees.

This can be done through various methods, such as online payment, over the phone, or bank transfer. Don’t forget to confirm the transaction has been processed correctly and get proof of payment in the event you’re ever contacted about the debt again.

Set up a payment plan

If you want to settle the debt but don’t have the funds to repay it in full, most debt collectors will be willing to negotiate a payment plan with you to allow you to make regular instalments until the debt is repaid (e.g. over 12 or 18 months). Always ask for confirmation of the agreement in writing.

This can ease some of the stress of being in debt and put a stop to further interest, charges, or fees being added. Making consistent payments can also help you visualise your debt level decreasing.

Seek debt advice

If you’re struggling with multiple debts or don’t know how to respond, consider reaching out for free and confidential debt advice to help you understand your options and better manage your repayments.

For example, if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and owe multiple creditors, you might qualify for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) to repay your debt over five to six years. Once you’ve made your final monthly payment, all the included debt not repaid through the arrangement will be written off.

Can the CDER Group take me to court over my debt?

Yes, continually ignoring the CDER Group can lead to court action being brought against you. One of the most common actions taken by debt collection agencies is applying for a County Court Judgment (CCJ).

If a debt collector believes you are purposely withholding payment, they can make a case to a judge who will decide whether a judgment should be made against you. If a CCJ is issued, you’ll be ordered to repay the debt in full or in instalments.

CCJs are visible on your credit file for six years. During this time, you’ll struggle to get approved for most types of credit, including a loan, mortgage, phone contract, or bank account.

Failure to repay a CCJ will lead to further legal action. This could include enforcement agents visiting you at home or money being forcibly taken from your earnings before you get paid.

Is debt fairly collected by the CDER Group?

The CDER Group is committed to collecting debt fairly. Their fairness framework ensures fair treatment is embedded in every engagement with clients, customers, and staff.

Despite this, it’s important to know your rights when dealing with debt collection agencies. If you believe you’re being harassed or treated unfairly by a debt collector from the CDER Group, you should complain to the company and your original creditor.

If you’re not satisfied with the outcome of your original complaint, you can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman. They will then investigate your case and inform you of the outcome.

Where can I get further advice and support about my debt?

Living with debt can be stressful, but there are various options available to you to help you deal with it in a way that works for you. Whether you’ve been contacted by a debt collection agency or you’re anticipating enforcement action, it’s important to reach out for help as soon as possible.

Even if you can’t afford to repay what you owe in full, simply acknowledging the debt and agreeing to set up a payment plan to pay it back at a rate you can comfortably afford can help you take charge of your debt and take the first step towards a brighter financial future.

For tailored advice on how to deal with debt collectors, don’t hesitate to reach out to UK Debt Expert. We can review your circumstances and advise on the best course of action for you, from simple budgeting advice to a formal debt solution.