The government has announced new measures to protect families in debt from aggressive bailiffs and to stop people being ripped off during home renovations. The clampdown is part of the Prime Minister's list of “everyday fixes” aimed at easing the cost of living burden.
Currently, more than one in four UK adults who had home improvements done in the last 18 months experienced problems, including projects being abandoned halfway through or overpaying for shoddy work. Over a third faced extra costs, losing an average of £750.
New regulations from September
The clampdown on bailiffs and builders will start in September with a government-supported scheme to identify trusted traders. Payments during building projects will be linked to key project milestones to protect people's money.
Private bailiffs in England and Wales will also be held to professional standards, and people facing enforcement action will be given access to an independent complaints process.
Reactions and longer-term plans
Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert, speaking as Chair of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “Sadly, you’re over three times more likely to be in debt crisis if you have a mental health problem, one result of which is that most people who get a bailiff knocking at their door are vulnerable.”
“Many bailiffs behave fairly – but some have got away with acting with impunity due to the lack of mandatory independent regulation. We’ve long campaigned for that to change as aggressive debt collection can and does destroy lives,” he added.
Ministers have also confirmed longer plans to overhaul consumer protections as a whole, including examining organisations like Citizens Advice and Trading Standards to make the system faster and easier to access.
Peter Grigg, Executive Director of Partnerships and Advocacy at Citizens Advice, said: “The government’s action today paves the way for much-needed changes in sectors that are infamous for rogue behaviour.”
“Strengthening the role of consumer protection provided by organisations like Citizens Advice and Trading Standards is vital in improving everyday experiences for so many people across the country,” he added.
