Ultimate Bristow & Sutor Debt Help and Advice Guide

Who are Bristow & Sutor?

Bristow & Sutor is a UK-based company specialising in debt collection and enforcement.

Local authorities contract them, utility companies, and other organisations to collect unpaid debts on their behalf. If you have received correspondence from Bristow & Sutor, it likely means that you have an outstanding debt with one of their clients.

To deal with Bristow & Sutor, you can take the following steps:

Verify the debt: Ensure the debt in question is yours before taking action. You can request a copy of the credit agreement or any other documentation that verifies the debt.
Contact Bristow & Sutor: Reach out to the company’s customer service team and explain your financial situation. They may be able to work with you to come up with a payment plan or offer financial assistance.
Seek debt advice: If you are struggling to manage your debt, consider seeking help from one of our debt advisors.
Look into debt solutions: If you’re unable to repay the debt, you may want to consider debt solutions like a Debt Management Plan (DMP) or an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement), which can help you to repay your debt over a more extended period.
Be aware of your rights: Bristow & Sutor should act within the regulations. They should treat you fairly and not harass you; they should not contact you at inconvenient times or in inappropriate places and must tell you about any charges and interest.

It’s important to remember that ignoring the debt will not make it go away, and the sooner you address it, the better your chances of resolving the situation.

unpaid council tax
Non-domestic rates or business rates
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), such as parking fines

If Bristow and Sutor enforcement agents have contacted you, please pay attention to their communications, seek debt advice and act quickly.

Bristow & Sutor, as a debt collection agency, can take several actions against you if you do not pay an outstanding debt owed to one of their clients. These actions can include:

Continuous communication: They may contact you repeatedly by phone, email, or mail in an attempt to collect the debt.
Court action: They may take you to court to obtain a county court judgment (CCJ) against you. This can result in additional costs and may negatively impact your credit score.
Enforcement action: If you do not pay the debt or make arrangements to do so, they may take enforcement action to recover the debt. This could include instructing bailiffs to visit your property and remove goods to be sold to pay off the debt, o taking money from your bank account or wages.
Credit report: They may also report the debt to credit reference agencies, which can negatively impact your credit score and make it more difficult for you to obtain credit in the future.

It’s important to note that the above actions should be taken only after the regulation and laws are followed, you should be informed of the debt, and you should have the right to dispute it.

If you qualify for debt help, one of our debt advisors will provide you with an income & expenditure statement, which you can give to Bristow and Sutor. You can provide this statement to all the people you owe money to.

Enforcement Agents such as Bristow and Sutor are not typically allowed to force entry into a property to collect monies owed to local authorities, such as council tax.

I have highlighted some common misconceptions about Enforcement Agents & bailiffs:

Bailiffs can break into your home: One of the most common misconceptions is that bailiffs have the right to break into your home. This is false, as bailiffs can only enter your home with your permission or a court order.
Bailiffs can take anything they want: Another common misconception is that bailiffs can take anything they want to settle a debt. However, there are rules and restrictions around what bailiffs can and cannot remove. For example, they cannot take items essential for your work, such as tools or a computer.
Bailiffs cannot physically harm you: Some people believe that bailiffs have the right to use physical force to take possession of goods. This is false, as bailiffs are prohibited from using physical force except in very limited circumstances.
Bailiffs can only take your possessions: Bailiffs can also take money from your bank account or wages from your employer if they have a court order. This can be via an Attachment of Earnings or a deduction of benefits.
Bailiffs can ignore your rights: Bailiffs are required to follow specific rules and regulations when carrying out their duties. These include providing notice of their visit, providing identification, and following the rules around what they can and cannot take. You can complain and seek redress if you believe a bailiff has acted unfairly.

Overall, it’s essential to understand your rights and the rules around bailiff actions. If you have any concerns or questions, you can talk to a debt advisor by calling 0161 549 9848 or, click here to Request a Call Back!

Typically, they will only force entry into a property on rare occasions and if they are collecting debts such as Income Tax, Stamp Duty, and unpaid criminal fines. Even in these scenarios, they will send a notice before visiting.

Enforcement agents can only use reasonable force to enter a property, which generally means using the services of a locksmith.

If your debt relates to an unpaid council tax bill, then bailiffs at Bristow & Sutor cannot force entry. They also can only push past people who open the door to them.

We recommend that you refrain from letting enforcement agents into your property.

Bristow & Sutor Frequently Asked Questions / FAQs

Question: What are enforcement agents?
Answer: Enforcement agents, also known as bailiffs, are individuals or companies authorised to take possession of goods or assets to recover money owed by a debtor.

Question: Can enforcement agents come at any time of the day or night?
Answer: Enforcement agents are not allowed to visit at unreasonable times, such as late at night or early in the morning. They are usually required to visit during normal working hours unless they have specific permission from the court.

Question: Can I refuse entry to enforcement agents?
Answer: You can refuse entry to enforcement agents, but they may return with a court order to enter your home and take possessions. It’s usually better to cooperate and negotiate a payment plan or settlement.

Question: How much notice do I need to receive before a visit from enforcement agents?
Answer: Enforcement agents must provide a minimum of seven days’ notice before their first visit. They do not need to provide notice if they have already visited and are returning to take possessions.

Question: Can enforcement agents arrest me?
Answer: Enforcement agents do not have the power to arrest you. Only a police officer can arrest you.

Question: What happens if I can’t pay the debt?
Answer: If you can’t pay the debt, you should seek advice from a debt advice service. They can help you negotiate a payment plan or explore other options, such as bankruptcy, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement or a debt relief order.

Question: What if I believe the debt is not mine?
Answer: If you believe the debt is not yours, you should contact the creditor to dispute the debt. You should provide evidence to support your claim. If the creditor does not resolve the issue, you can seek legal advice or contact a debt advice service.

Question: Can I stop enforcement action once it has started?
Answer: It may be possible to stop enforcement action once it has started by negotiating a payment plan or settlement with the creditor. You can also seek advice from a debt advice service or a legal professional.

Question: How long do enforcement agents have to recover the debt?
Answer: Enforcement agents usually have 12 months to recover the debt from the date of the court order. After this time, they may need to apply for a new court order to continue enforcement action.

Question: What types of debts can enforcement agents recover?
Answer: Enforcement agents can recover various types of debts, including council tax arrears, parking fines, and court fines.

Question: Do enforcement agents have the right to enter my home?
Answer: Enforcement agents can enter your home only with your permission or with a court order. They cannot break in without permission or use force to gain entry.

Question: Can enforcement agents take my possessions?
Answer: Enforcement agents can take possessions that are not considered essential, such as TVs, computers, and jewellery. They cannot take essential items like medical equipment, clothing, or tools needed for work.

Question: How can I prevent enforcement agents from taking my possessions?
Answer: You can prevent enforcement agents from taking your possessions by paying the debt or setting up a payment plan with the creditor. If you cannot pay, seek debt advice.

Question: Can enforcement agents take money from my bank account?
Answer: Enforcement agents can take money from your bank account if they have a court order. However, they can only take some of the money in your account, and there are rules around what they can take.

Question: Can I complain if I feel that enforcement agents have acted unfairly?
Answer: Yes, you can complain if you feel that enforcement agents have acted unfairly. You can complain to the enforcement agent company or the court if a court order is involved. If you aren’t satisfied with the response, you can complain to the relevant ombudsman or seek legal advice.

Question: What should I do if I receive a visit from enforcement agents?
Answer: If you receive a visit from enforcement agents, it’s important to remain calm and ask to see their identification. You should also ask for written proof of the debt and the court order (if applicable). If you cannot pay, you can negotiate a payment plan or seek advice from a free debt advice service.

Conclusion:

By speaking with a Personal Finance Manager, you can check to see if you qualify for debt help; click to Apply Online.

Credit Reports

Get a copy of your credit report today by clicking: CREDIT REPORT
Learn the SIX BEST WAYS to rebuild your credit score by clicking: REBUILD CREDIT SCORE

Which Debt Plans apply to you?

We assess your circumstances based on your individual circumstances and will assess for all available debt advice solutions.

Please find below a list of debt solutions we will evaluate for:

Debt Management Plan (DMP) – Information on a debt management plan
Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) – Information on an IVA
Debt Relief Order (DRO) – information on a DRO
Bankruptcy – information on Bankruptcy

If you have used our online application form, we will contact you to run through your income and outgoings and discuss your options so you can make an informed choice. At Debt Support Direct, we offer all statutory debt solutions in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland so that you can choose the debt solution tailored to you and your circumstances.

If you have an attachment of benefits and have chosen the debt solution that you feel is the most appropriate, there will be some paperwork to fill in to put the debt solution programme in place.

Our debt advice is free, non-judgmental, and friendly, so if you are struggling with debt, speak to one of our experienced debt experts for a confidential chat on 0161 549 9848.

Free and impartial money advice is available from the Money Helper, an organisation set up by the Government for people in debt.

Important Information

Debt Support Direct does not administer any debt solutions; we will assess your debts, circumstances and affordability and signpost you to an organisation or charity that can set up and help the debt plan you decide suits your circumstances.

All debt solutions should be very carefully considered. Some providers may charge fees if a solution is taken; if applicable, these will be outlined during your consultation.

Your ability to obtain further credit in the short term will likely be affected, which may also be the case over the medium to long term. Calls from mobile phones and other networks may be charged to our free phone number.

The Financial Conduct Authority regulates Ruby Holdings Limited, trading as Debt Support Direct. We can offer debt advice for both formal and informal solutions. All debt solutions must be carefully considered, and you must take independent advice.

There are sources of free debt advice and services. You can find out more by contacting the Money Helper on 0800 138 7777 or visiting moneyhelper.org.uk

Here are some links to UK debt charities that can provide help and advice on managing debt:

Please carefully read the information on these websites to understand what services they offer and if they would fit your needs. Reaching out for help as soon as you start having difficulties managing your debts is important. These organisations can help you understand your options and work with you to develop a plan to get back on track.