Explanatory note

These Rules which apply to England and Wales, amend the Distress for Rent Rules 1988 which relate to distress for rent and (by virtue of the modification effected by the Enforcement of Road Traffic Debts (Certificated Bailiffs) Regulations 1993) for debts under section 78 of the Road Traffic Act 1991, by increasing the fees to be charged for levying distress for rent.

For levying distress, where the sum demanded and due does not exceed £100, the fee is increased from £12.50 to £21.65.

For taking possession, where a person is left in physical possession, the fee is increased from £4.50 to £7.80 each day; and where walking possession is agreed, the fee is increased from 45p to 80p each day. All other fees remain unchanged.

These Rules also make minor amendments to paragraph 3 in Appendix 1 and Form 8 (Form of walking-possession agreement (Request not to remove goods)) in Appendix 2 and amend the references to taxation in Appendix 1 so that they refer to detailed assessment under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998.