Local authority enforcement powers, including the levying of distress, for the collection of unpaid council tax are contained in schedule 4 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and part VI of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/613).
Under part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/3483) local authorities in England that have civil parking enforcement powers have the right to use certificated bailiffs to enforce unpaid penalty charge notices.
There are no powers for local authorities to use privately-employed certified bailiffs in respect of arrears of rent owed by their residential tenants. Action against tenants in rent arrears must take the form of court proceedings, in which case, court bailiffs may be used for enforcement of the order.