UK's Burnham unveils crackdown on rogue bailiffs and 'cowboy builders'
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced tighter rules to curb aggressive bailiffs and protect homeowners from dishonest builders. The measures include mandatory bailiff accreditation and new trust schemes for the home improvement sector.
The UK government has launched a crackdown on aggressive debt collectors and dishonest tradespeople, including builders who overcharge or mistreat homeowners. Prime Minister Andy Burnham presented the move as the latest in a series of "everyday fixes" aimed at easing living costs and making the country fairer.
Tighter rules for bailiffs
Under the new rules, private bailiffs in England and Wales will only be able to obtain or renew their certification if they are accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB), or work for a company that is. Currently such accreditation is voluntary, and some enforcement firms have refused to join.
More than 7 million cases are referred to bailiff enforcement each year, with the industry collecting over £1bn annually, mostly linked to unpaid parking fines, traffic penalties and council tax arrears. Consumer groups have flagged problems including aggressive doorstep behaviour, overcharging, clamping vehicles belonging to disabled people, and threats to seize possessions that are legally exempt from repossession.
Officials say bailiffs will now be held to consistent professional standards, and people facing enforcement will gain access to an independent complaints process. The new system is expected to be fully operational next year.
The announcement follows criticism that the government had been slow to act since the Ministry of Justice first pledged, in June 2025, to make independent bailiff regulation mandatory.
Targeting dishonest builders
Burnham said that after cracking down on subscription traps and misleading discounts, the government was now turning its attention to "cowboy builders" and other unscrupulous traders. Starting next month, a government-backed scheme will help consumers identify trustworthy tradespeople.
Businesses that join the new "Approved Code" scheme for home improvement will be able to demonstrate they meet higher standards. The first participants will be onboarded by the end of September, with full rollout by December.
Separately, an app called Trusted Payments will launch next week, allowing consumers to hold project funds securely and release payments to builders in stages tied to project milestones, similar to tenant deposit protection schemes.
