Is the Bailiff Industry About to be Reformed?

If you’re facing financial difficulties, one of the biggest worries you can experience is probably getting a visit from bailiffs. Otherwise called enforcement agents, these individuals are sent by creditors to reclaim debts. They will do this either by taking payments or seizing possessions. Although they are professionals doing a job, there’s no argument that their actions cause stress and anxiety.

Let's look at research statistics

In fact, according to research from one debt charity, more than 80% of clients who experienced a visit from a bailiff believed the encounter harmed their wellbeing. Moreover, Citizens Advice reports, during a 12-month-period, they were notified about more than 111,000 issues related to these individuals.

Now a group of cross-party MPs is calling for reform of the bailiff industry. If approved, this could bring much more regulation to the sector.

What has been proposed?

Highlighting similar statistics to the ones above, the politicians urged government to change how bailiffs operate. One of those MPs – Stephen Crabb – commented on the recommendations, stating there was too much “bad practice” within the industry. Currently, bailiffs are self-regulating but this proposed reform changes that. If approved by the government, the following could come into effect:

• The introduction of an independent bailiff complaints body;
• The introduction of an independent regulator for the industry;
• Regular reviews of bailiff fees.

It’s hoped this reform will protect individuals from the stress, anxiety, bad credit from checks done by bailiffs and financial impact a bailiff visit can have – or at least limit the negative effects. As well as this reform, Crabb has also supported the ‘breathing space’ initiative – a scheme where those struggling with unpaid debts would get time without fees or interest rates to regain control of their finances.