UK mandates independent regulation for bailiffs and targets rogue builders

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a comprehensive regulatory crackdown on private bailiffs and unscrupulous tradespeople in England and Wales. The measures aim to protect vulnerable households from aggressive debt collection and substandard home improvement practices.

The new rules will make it mandatory for private bailiffs to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB), or to work for an accredited enforcement company, to obtain or renew their operating certificates. This closes a significant loophole, as accreditation was previously voluntary and some firms had refused to participate.

The debt enforcement industry in England and Wales handles more than seven million cases annually, collecting over £1bn primarily from unpaid parking fines, traffic violations, and council tax arrears. Consumer groups have long highlighted poor practices ranging from doorstep intimidation and overcharging to clamping vehicles used by disabled individuals.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, recently stated it was “outrageous that we still don’t have a proper independent regulator”. The government’s move follows criticism from the industry’s oversight body over a lack of progress since the Ministry of Justice first proposed mandatory legislation in June 2025.

Sarah Sackman, the minister for courts and legal services, noted that when someone is struggling with debt, “the last thing they should face is intimidating behaviour, unfair treatment or being pushed into excessive repayment arrangements they cannot afford”. The new regime will establish consistent professional standards and an independent complaints process, though it is not expected to be fully operational until next year.

In parallel, the government is targeting “cowboy builders” and other rogue traders in the home improvement sector. Burnham stated that after addressing subscription traps and fake discounts, “we’re coming for the cowboy builders” and other unscrupulous traders.

Starting next month, a government-backed "Approved Code" scheme will help consumers identify trusted builders. Developed by the furniture and home improvement ombudsman, the initiative allows participating businesses to demonstrate adherence to higher professional standards, with full implementation expected by December.

Additionally, an app-based service named Trusted Payments will launch next week to safeguard consumer funds during construction projects. Functioning similarly to tenant deposit protection schemes, it will hold money safely and release payments to builders incrementally, tied to specific project milestones.

For investors and companies operating in the UK consumer services and debt recovery markets, these changes represent a material shift toward stricter compliance. Firms will need to adapt their operational models to meet the new ECB accreditation requirements and integrate with emerging consumer protection frameworks.

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