World News
UK government announces rules targeting rogue bailiffs and home improvement traders
New measures require mandatory bailiff accreditation and establish safeguards for home improvement consumers.
The short version
- Private bailiffs in England and Wales must now be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an accredited firm, to obtain or renew their certificates.
- The UK government is introducing an Approved Code scheme for home improvement traders and an app-based milestone payment service called Trusted Payments to protect homeowners.
- The changes aim to prevent aggressive debt collection practices and financial losses from substandard or incomplete building work.
Key facts
- Bailiffs handle over 7 million enforcement cases each year in England and Wales, collecting more than £1 billion primarily from parking fines, traffic violations, and council tax arrears.[The Guardian]
- Under the new rules, private bailiffs must hold accreditation from the Enforcement Conduct Board or be employed by an accredited enforcement firm to retain their certificates.[The Guardian]
- An Approved Code scheme for the home improvement sector, created with the furniture and home improvement ombudsman, will begin launching by late September and fully implement by December.[The Guardian]
- A new app-based milestone payment service called Trusted Payments is scheduled to launch next week to allow homeowners to release funds incrementally to builders.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The exact date when the full bailiff accreditation regime will take effect remains unconfirmed, though it is expected next year.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Burnham announces crackdown on rogue bailiffs and ‘cowboy builders’The Guardian - World