Bailiffs employed to chase late Council Tax payers will soon have the right to start visiting homes again following the coronavirus lockdown.

Around 800,000 UK households are behind on their council tax payments, and debt collectors can start work chasing those payments from August 23, as reported by the BBC.

According to the Local Government Association, £700m is owed in Council Tax since the start of lockdown. 

The figure is expected to grow as more people are made redundant as a result of the pandemic.

Emergency legislation was introduced in April banning bailiffs from visiting homes to during the coronavirus restrictions.

UK debt charity Step Change wants to see councils assess personal finances and show compassion before sending in debt collectors. The charity said enforcement action could make financial problems even worse for vulnerable households.

The government said it expects councils to be sympathetic to those in genuine hardship and this should be taken into consideration before bailiffs knock at the door.