Bailiff charged high storage fees for keeping your vehicle

Storage fees generate significant profits for bailiff companies, exploiting the law's provision for "reasonably and actually incurred" disbursements.

These fees are contestable, with courts typically deeming £12 per day as reasonable for securely storing a vehicle. However, some companies charge as high as £48 (including VAT) per day, which exceeds published costs for storing classic cars in London's climate-controlled environments, priced at £52 + VAT per week.

If you've already paid storage fees to retrieve your vehicle, you can seek reimbursement through a chargeback, or file a claim against the council and the bailiff company on behalf of the creditor in small claims court.

Different bailiff companies have varying payment methods, with some demanding cash and others requiring separate card payments for debt and bailiff fees, utilising different card machines for storage charges.

If you're unable to afford exorbitant storage fees and they continue to accrue, consider applying for a detailed assessment hearing. While this process may take several weeks, fees will continue to accumulate, prompting the option of a Pay & Reclaim approach and making a claim for damage caused to the vehicle.

The Law:

Regulation 8 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 states:

Disbursements recoverable from the debtor

(1) The enforcement agent may recover disbursements from the debtor only in accordance with this regulation and regulations 9, 10 and 11.

(2) The following disbursements are recoverable provided that they are reasonably and actually incurred—

(a)the cost of storing goods which have been taken into control and removed from the premises or highway;

(b)the cost of hiring a locksmith to gain access to premises when using reasonable force to enter them in accordance with Schedule 12, and to secure them thereafter;

(c)court fees in relation to any applications made by the enforcement agent in relation to the enforcement power which are granted.

(3) The disbursements referred to in this regulation and regulations 9 and 10 may be recovered out of proceeds.

Bailiffs collaborate with individuals managing vehicle storage facilities, working in tandem to inflate storage fees for debtors.

It remains uncertain whether bailiff companies receive referral commissions for utilising specific storage facilities.

If you have connections in the motor trade or vehicle rental industry, you have an opportunity to recoup expenses for car repairs incurred after retrieving it from the storage facility. Additionally, you can earn commissions by referring your business to a vehicle repairer or rental company.

There's no obligation to search for repair services extensively, as bailiffs typically don't seek out the most cost-effective storage options. Nevertheless, it's advisable to obtain multiple repair quotes and present them as evidence in your claim.

Newlyn Plc charges £48 per day for storage, amounting to £1400 per month.

They enlist the services of Louis Sanders, operating under his company A1 Environmental Ltd, an eBay scrap merchant who charges the same daily rate for storing vehicles in his scrapyard located in West Horndon.

If you've been levied with or have already paid storage fees to A1 Environmental Ltd within the past six years, it's important to gather evidence detailing the flow of money and the relevant PCN number. Subsequently, you can apply for a detailed assessment hearing

By doing so, you can seek reimbursement from the council responsible for issuing the PCN, along with your costs on an indemnity basis, encompassing all solicitor fees. It's worth noting that you won't need to attend court proceedings.