You’ve just found an Andrew James Enforcement letter on your doormat. Your heart’s racing. You’re wondering if they can break in, take your car, or force you to pay right now.
Take a breath. You have rights, and they have strict limits.
Quick answers #
Can Andrew James force entry? No, not for council tax or parking fines. They need “peaceful entry”—an unlocked door or invitation. Keep everything locked.
Are they legitimate? Yes. Company number 04869085, ECB accredited (October 2023). They’re Swansea-based and dominate Welsh council debt collection.
Can an IVA stop them? Yes. Council tax arrears and other qualifying debts can be included in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement. Once approved, Andrew James should usually stop direct enforcement for debts included in the IVA.
Table of Contents #
- Who are Andrew James Enforcement?
- Which councils use Andrew James?
- Andrew James fees explained
- Can Andrew James force entry to my home?
- Can they take my car?
- What they can and cannot take
- How to stop Andrew James Enforcement
- How to complain about Andrew James
- Contact details
- FAQs
Who are Andrew James Enforcement? #
Andrew James Enforcement Ltd is a family-run business based in Swansea, founded by Andrew James Mackay and Susan James Mackay on 18 August 2003. They dominate Welsh council debt collection.
Company details:
- Company number: 04869085
- Address: Latheron Chambers, 41 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TT
- ECB accredited: October 2023
- CIVEA member (Andrew Mackay was a director 2016-2020)
Unlike national giants like Marston or Bristow & Sutor, Andrew James focuses on South and West Wales, giving them local expertise councils value.
Which councils use Andrew James? #
Andrew James has built near-total dominance in Welsh local authority enforcement:
- Pembrokeshire County Council – Consistently wins tenders against national competitors
- Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council – One of their largest contracts
- Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council – Maintains low formal complaint rates
- Swansea Council – Local firm advantage
Their pitch to councils emphasizes “compliance stage” recovery—getting you to pay before an agent visits. This looks better in council reports than aggressive door-knocking.
Notice period and current fees #
For a standard non-High Court case received by an enforcement agent on or after 1 May 2026, the usual statutory stages are:
| Stage | Typical trigger | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | Case enters compliance and notice is issued | £79 |
| Enforcement | First attendance to take control of goods | £247, plus 7.5% of debt above £1,900 |
| Sale or disposal | Goods are removed for sale | £116, plus 7.5% of debt above £1,900 |
Cases received before 1 May 2026 can remain on the former £75, £235 and £110 scale. High Court enforcement has a different fee structure.
The normal compliance period for affected cases is at least 14 clear days. A debt adviser can request at least 28 clear days for a qualifying non-business debt if the request is made in time; a court can authorise a shorter period. Get advice promptly if the dates or charges do not appear to fit your case.
Can Andrew James force entry to my home? #
No, not on their first visit for civil debts like council tax.
For most debts (council tax, CCJs, business rates), Andrew James must gain “peaceful entry”:
- They cannot break locks
- They cannot smash windows
- They cannot force past you
- They cannot climb through windows
The peaceful entry tactics:
- The unlocked door – If your front door is unlocked, they can turn the handle and walk in. Keep everything locked.
- “Can I come in to talk?” – Polite, professional, reasonable. But once they’re inside, they’ve established entry rights for future visits.
- The third-party entrance – If your child or houseguest lets them in, that often counts as valid entry.
- The signature trick – They’ll ask you to step outside to sign paperwork. Once you do, they can step into your doorway.
Exception: Magistrates’ Court fines (criminal penalties) allow forced entry on first visit.
What you should do:
- Keep all doors and windows locked
- Speak through a closed door or window
- Ask them to post ID through the letterbox
- Do not invite them in for any reason
- Do not sign any “Controlled Goods Agreement”
Can they take my car? #
Yes—and they’re very good at it.
Andrew James can take control of a vehicle without your permission if it’s parked:
- On a public road
- On your driveway
- In your front garden (if accessible)
The ANPR advantage: Andrew James uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology. An agent can drive through your street and automatically identify cars linked to unpaid debts. Once identified, they can clamp it immediately.
Where your car IS safe:
- Inside a locked garage
- On someone else’s property (though they may still attempt it)
- In a private car park requiring trespass to access
Where your car is NOT safe:
- On the street outside your house
- In your driveway
- In your front garden
- Shared parking at flats
Protection: If you’ve received a Notice of Enforcement, move your car to a friend or family member’s address until you’ve arranged payment or a debt solution.
Discover how an IVA can protect your vehicle from seizure
What they can and cannot take #
They CANNOT take:
- Essential household items (beds, cooker, fridge, washing machine, table, chairs)
- Tools of your trade up to £1,350
- Work-essential vehicles up to £1,350
- Blue Badge vehicles
- Third-party belongings (with proof)
- Items on hire purchase
They CAN take:
- Luxury items (TVs, gaming consoles, laptops)
- Jewellery
- Vehicles (unless exempt)
- Cash
- Valuable household goods
In practice, most agents prefer a Controlled Goods Agreement rather than removing items. They list your goods but leave them in your home, and you agree to a payment plan. Don’t sign this if you can avoid it.
How to stop Andrew James Enforcement #
Option 1: Pay during Compliance Stage #
Pay the debt plus £79 within 7 days. Get written confirmation and a receipt.
Option 2: Breathing Space (60-day freeze) #
Apply through a debt advisor such as StepChange or Citizens Advice. Breathing Space should pause most qualifying enforcement action for 60 days while you find a solution.
Option 3: Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) #
An IVA legally stops all bailiff action. Once approved:
- Andrew James must stop immediately
- Fees freeze
- You make one affordable monthly payment
- After 5-6 years, remaining debt written off (typically 30-70%)
To qualify for an IVA:
- At least £5,000 of unsecured debt
- Debts to two or more creditors
- Regular income
- Ability to afford minimum payments (typically £80-100/month)
Option 4: Debt Relief Order (DRO) #
If you have less than £50,000 debt, less than £75/month spare income, and less than £2,000 in assets, a DRO freezes debts for 12 months then writes them off.
Option 5: Council recall (vulnerability route) #
If you’re critically vulnerable (severe mental illness, terminal disease, severe disability), the council may recall the debt. Get evidence (doctor’s letter, PIP award), write to the council’s Head of Revenues, and copy your local councillor.
Option 6: Challenge the notice #
If the Notice of Enforcement wasn’t properly served (wrong address, never received, less than 14 clear days before visit), you can challenge under Section 7 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. Get legal advice from Citizens Advice.
How to complain about Andrew James #
Step 1: Complain to Andrew James directly #
Email (recommended): enquiries@ajenforce.co.uk
What to include:
- Date and time of incident
- Agent’s name
- Exactly what happened
- Which rules were broken
- What you want (fees removed, apology, etc.)
- Deadline for response (14 days)
Request body-worn camera footage immediately: Under Data Protection Act 2018, request footage within 14 days (they delete after 30-90 days). They must provide within 30 days.
Step 2: Complain to the council #
Write to the council’s Head of Revenues and your local councillor. Councils don’t like bad press about their enforcement contractors.
Step 3: Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) #
Andrew James achieved ECB accreditation in October 2023. If they don’t respond within 8 weeks or you’re unsatisfied, escalate to the ECB.
ECB can:
- Order Andrew James to apologize
- Require agent retraining
- Remove fees
- Revoke accreditation (serious cases)
Step 4: Report to police (if laws broken) #
If an agent:
- Forced entry when not legally allowed
- Assaulted you or used threatening behaviour
- Damaged your property
- Refused to leave when asked
Call the police. These are criminal matters.
Contact details #
Andrew James Enforcement Ltd Latheron Chambers 41 Mansel Street Swansea SA1 5TT
Phone: 01792 450400 Email: enquiries@ajenforce.co.uk Company: 04869085 ECB Accredited: October 2023
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm (agents may visit from 6:00am)
FAQs #
Can Andrew James break my door down for council tax? #
No. For council tax and most civil debts, they cannot force entry on first visit. They need peaceful entry—you must let them in or leave a door unlocked. If they’ve previously gained peaceful entry and you’ve breached a payment agreement, they can return with a locksmith.
Is my car safe on my neighbour’s drive? #
Generally yes. Andrew James can only seize vehicles on your property or the public highway. If your car is parked on someone else’s private property, they’d be trespassing to access it. However, if they believe you’re deliberately hiding the vehicle, they may still attempt it.
What happens if I don’t answer the door? #
They’ll leave a notice saying they attended, and the £247 enforcement fee will be added to your account. They will return—often with a tow truck if you have a vehicle. Not answering doesn’t make them go away; it just adds fees.
How do I get body camera footage? #
Make a Subject Access Request under Data Protection Act 2018. Email enquiries@ajenforce.co.uk within 14 days (footage deleted after 30-90 days). Write: “I am making a Subject Access Request for all body-worn camera footage from [date] showing my interaction with your agent.” They must provide within 30 days.
Will Andrew James accept a payment plan? #
Sometimes, but reports suggest they prefer plans under 6 months. If you can’t afford what they’re asking, email (don’t phone) enquiries@ajenforce.co.uk with a detailed budget showing income and essential expenses. Back-office team has more authority than phone agents.
Are Andrew James legitimate? #
Yes. Company 04869085, ECB-accredited, operated from Swansea since 2003. They work under contract to major Welsh councils. Being legitimate doesn’t mean you can’t challenge them if they break the rules.
Can Andrew James take my partner’s belongings? #
No, but you need to prove ownership. They can only seize items belonging to the person named on the warrant. If your partner’s name is on the finance agreement, receipt, or bank statement, gather this evidence and email immediately. Don’t rely on verbal claims.
How quickly does an IVA stop Andrew James? #
Once an IVA is approved, Andrew James should usually stop direct collection or enforcement activity for debts included in the arrangement. Your insolvency practitioner will notify them, and further contact should be handled through the IVA.
What if I never received the Notice of Enforcement? #
You may have grounds to challenge the fees under Section 7 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. The notice must be sent at least 14 clear days before the first visit. If you can prove it wasn’t sent or received, the £247 enforcement fee can be set aside. Apply to the court that issued the liability order. Get advice from Citizens Advice.
Can Andrew James visit on Sundays or evenings? #
Yes. Enforcement agents can visit on any day of the week, including Sundays and bank holidays, but only between 6am and 9pm unless a court has authorised a different time or the premises are open for trade outside those hours. If they break these rules, complain immediately—it’s a serious breach.
Andrew James Enforcement aren’t going away. They’re the dominant bailiff firm in South Wales, backed by decades of council relationships.
But you have rights, and you have options.
If you’ve received a Notice of Enforcement, you have 14 clear days to act. If they’re already at your door, keep it locked and speak to a debt advisor before letting anyone inside.
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement can stop qualifying enforcement from Andrew James once approved and freeze further fees on included debts, and give you a path to becoming debt-free in 5-6 years. Some people have a portion of qualifying debt written off if creditors approve the IVA and it completes.
Check if you qualify for an IVA—free, confidential, 60 seconds: