Andy Burnham has announced a crackdown on “cowboy builders” ripping off households, and private bailiffs using intimidating tactics against people struggling with debt.
Measures will help people find trusted traders through a register and protect their money from unscrupulous operators. Citizens Advice said home renovations were one of its biggest sources of complaints, with more than one in four adults reporting problems with their most recent project, including shoddy work and builders vanishing before completion.
New register and payment system
A Government-backed scheme being rolled out from September will allow businesses to sign up to an approved code to demonstrate they meet standards on customer service, transparency and resolving disputes. A new payment system available from next week will also allow customers to avoid upfront costs by linking payments to project milestones.
The Prime Minister said: “Cowboy builders don’t just rip people off. They leave families with months of stress, the disruption of unfinished work, and that horrible feeling of being taken advantage of. Not only that, but they give the vast majority of decent, hardworking tradespeople a bad name.
“So we’re putting the cowboys out of business. These changes mean you’ll now have the option to make sure your money is held safely and released bit by bit as the work gets done.
“It’s the latest in our series of everyday fixes to give people room to breathe and make Britain fairer. We’ve taken on subscription traps, fake discounts, and now we’re coming for the cowboy builders. Enough is enough.”
Business Secretary and bailiff regulation
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the changes would “protect consumers, support reputable traders” and held families avoid home improvements “turning into a nightmare”.
Ministers also announced tougher regulation of private bailiffs in England and Wales, including mandatory independent oversight.
The changes are intended to ensure consistent professional standards, amid concerns over enforcement agents pressuring people into repayment arrangements that left them unable to pay for daily essentials.
Bailiff accreditation and consumer protection
Bailiffs will be required to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an accredited firm, in order to get the certificate needed to operate.
Courts minister Sarah Sackman said: “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.
“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.”
The Government will also seek to make the consumer protection system easier to navigate by examining how organisations such as Citizens Advice and Trading Standards work with regulators, enforcement bodies and redress schemes.
