Private bailiffs in England and Wales will need to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB), or work for an enforcement firm that is, under new laws announced by the government.

The existing voluntary regulator was set up in 2022 to provide oversight for the sector, but while individual bailiff firms can opt to sign up - and most have - there’s no legal obligation for them to do so.

The change was announced as part of a government effort to introduce tougher regulation to better protect people facing debt in England and Wales. It explains that private bailiffs will be held to consistent professional standards and that those facing enforcement action will have access to an independent complaints process.  

Important

Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman, says bailiffs have an important job to do, but with that responsibility must come high standards. “When someone is already struggling with debt, the last thing they should face is intimidating behaviour, unfair treatment or being pushed into excessive repayment arrangements they cannot afford,” she adds.

“That’s why we’re strengthening the rules. All private bailiffs will have to meet proper, professional standards and will be subject to independent oversight - giving people greater protection and somewhere to turn when things go wrong.” 

Refuse

Daren Simcox, who runs a private bailiff firm specialising in High Court writs and evictions, says 97% of the industry are already accredited but there are still some companies that refuse to opt in.

“We have been writing to our clients asking them not to use anybody that’s not accredited,” he tells LandlordZONE. “This announcement is a good thing as the ones who aren’t members of ECB give the industry a bad name.”

Ministers also confirmed longer term plans to overhaul consumer protection, which will examine how organisations such as Citizens Advice and Trading Standards work with regulators, enforcement bodies and redress schemes to make the system faster, easier to access, and better at spotting and tackling harm early.  

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