Grencar: what a letter means and what to do

Grencar works mainly for councils, so most letters are about council tax, business rates or a parking or traffic penalty. Its website says little about its own procedures, so this profile sticks to what the public registers and its service pages show. This guide covers England and Wales.

Who are Grencar?

The firm is registered at Companies House as GRENCAR LIMITED, company number 08169431. It is an active private limited company, incorporated on 6 August 2012, with its registered office in London. One individual holds 75% or more of its shares. Grencar says it has over 20 years’ experience working with local authorities.

Grencar Limited has been accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) since October 2023, and is a corporate member of CIVEA, the Civil Enforcement Association. Neither is a statutory regulator. In August 2026 the government announced plans to make ECB oversight compulsory for private bailiffs.

Why might Grencar be contacting you?

For councils, Grencar lists council tax, non-domestic (business) rates, road traffic debt, commercial rent, sundry debts, statutory demand service, empty property inspections, “14 day letters” and arrest warrants, with and without bail.

• Council tax and business rates: the council needs a liability order from the magistrates’ court before it can instruct bailiffs. See what council tax bailiffs can do.
• Parking and traffic penalties: bailiffs are sent after an order for recovery that you have not paid or challenged. Grencar says its agents can immobilise or tow away vehicles and use number plate recognition vehicles. The warrant of control guide explains the steps.
• Commercial rent: Grencar recovers rent arrears for commercial landlords under commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR), and carries out lease forfeitures. CRAR only applies to commercial premises, not your home.
• A letter with no order behind it is a request to pay. Nobody can take your goods for it.

What can Grencar do, and what can it not do?

Grencar’s agents follow the same law as every bailiff in England and Wales:

• You must get a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before an agent can take control of your goods, or at least 28 clear days if a debt adviser asks on your behalf.
• The fees are set by law: £79 when the firm is instructed, £247 at the first visit and £116 if goods are taken for sale, plus 7.5% of any debt above £1,900 at the last two stages. Our guide to what bailiffs can and cannot do has the details.
• They cannot force their way into your home for council tax or parking debts, and cannot take essentials, work tools together worth less than £1,350, or anyone else’s belongings.

What should you do now?

1. Check the notice: the council, the order, the reference, the amount and when the notice period ends.
2. If the debt or the order is wrong, contact the council using the details on its official website, and tell Grencar in writing.
3. Offer an affordable payment plan before a visit. Get it in writing and keep receipts.
4. If you are vulnerable or cannot afford to pay, tell Grencar and the council, and ask the council to take the case back.
5. Get free, impartial advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange, Citizens Advice or National Debtline. See where to get free debt advice, and debt solutions compared if you have other debts. Grencar’s website also has a money advice page.

How do you complain about Grencar?

1. Complain to Grencar in writing first, using the details on your paperwork, and ask for its complaints procedure. We could not find one published on its website.
2. Complain to the council or landlord that instructed it. If a council’s response does not resolve it, you can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
3. Because Grencar is ECB accredited, you can complain to the ECB within 3 months of becoming aware of the problem, or within 1 month of the firm’s final response.
4. For serious misconduct by a certificated agent, you can complain to the court on form EAC2.

Is the letter genuine?

The council can confirm whether it has passed your account to Grencar. Use contact details from your paperwork or the council’s website, not from an unexpected call or text, and check certificated agents on the official register. Our guide to dealing with debt collectors covers your wider rights.