MoneySavingExpert.com homepage
Cutting your costs, fighting your corner
Founder, Martin Lewis · Editor-in-Chief, Marcus Herbert
Search bar closed.
MSE News

New laws will regulate bailiffs

debtsign
Press Association
Press Association
Editor
25 January 2013

Bailiffs will be regulated under new laws to "clean up" the industry and protect vulnerable debtors, the Government announced today.

New rules will stop late-night visits to collect debts, while restrictions on what property can be seized are being introduced.

Bailiffs will also be banned from entering homes when only children are present and they will no longer be able to set their own fees. New safeguards will also prevent them from using force against people who owe money, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Under the changes, bailiffs will also be forced to undergo a mandatory training and certification scheme and those who breach the new rules will be barred from the industry.

Justice Minister Helen Grant says: "For too long bailiffs have gone unregulated, allowing a small minority to give the industry a bad name. Too many people in debt have had the additional stress of dealing with aggressive bailiffs who often charge extortionate fees.

"These new laws will clean up the industry and ensure bailiffs play by the rules or face being prevented from practising. They will also make sure businesses and public bodies can collect their debts fairly."

MSE Forum

New bailiff rules

Forum image
Tools and calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances

Find your odds of getting top cards
Find your odds for getting a cheap loan
Compare broadband, phone & TV deals
Compares thousands of mortgages
Eight calcs to help you work out the cost
We ensure you’re on the cheapest tariff