Eastleigh Borough Council has been criticised after new data revealed it sent more than 3,500 debts to bailiffs over the course of a year.
The figures, from the National Debtline and the Centre for Social Justice, revealed the council referred 3,631 debts to enforcement agents in 2022-23.
This was a 43 per cent increase on pre-pandemic levels in 2018-19.
Charity Money Advice Trust says that bailiff use remains too high, with action needed to improve collection practices so that fewer debts are sent to bailiffs.
Free debt advice service run by the Money Advice Trust, National Debtline, has written to the leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Keith House, urging the council to improve the way it collects council tax arrears and other debts.
Bailiffs, known officially as enforcement agents, have the right to visit a property and can remove and sell goods to repay certain debts, including council tax arrears, parking penalty charge notices and other debts.
National Debtline is calling for national changes from the Government to help reduce and reform bailiff action.
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Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: “Local authorities remain under significant financial pressure and council tax plays a crucial role in funding vital local services.
“Facing bailiff action, however, can be a distressing experience and risks pushing people already struggling into deeper financial difficulty. Bailiffs should only ever be used as a last resort.
“Unfortunately, Eastleigh Borough Council's use of bailiffs remains high.”
In response to the figures, a spokesperson for Eastleigh Borough Council said: “The wellbeing of our residents is always the first consideration for the council.
“Whilst the council uses debt collection agencies to support with debt collection this is only as a last resort where a customer has not responded to letters or phone calls.
“The council works very closely with these agencies and there are strict guidelines in place as to how to engage with and support customers.
“We can assure residents that these agencies are not traditional bailiffs and where someone in debt reaches out to them regarding being unable to pay the debt the Council will support that customer to repay the debt is a way which is financially viable for them.”
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