Bailiffs to face stronger regulation

New reforms, banning Bailiffs and Councils from ‘heavy-handed behaviour’ when collecting debts, will come into force next April.

The reforms will prevent bailiffs from entering people’s homes at night or when only children are present as well as how and when they can take property.

Last month national charity Citizens Advice accused some councils of allowing bailiffs to get away with aggressive and threatening behaviour when recovering council tax debt.

Speaking to an audience of more than 300 representatives of local authorities and bailiffs companies, Justice Minister Lord Faulks addressed the Civil Enforcement Association conference in London earlier  today.

Speaking after the conference, Lord Faulks said: “There are some very good, reputable bailiffs around, but we know there is bad practice out there that needs to be dealt with.

“A small minority of bailiffs have been allowed to give the industry a bad name.

“These laws will help to clean up the industry and ensure bailiffs play by the rules. They will also make sure businesses and public bodies can collect their debts fairly.”