Citizens Advice has responded to the Review of enforcement agent (bailiff) reforms: call for evidence launched by the Ministry of Justice today.
“With no system to hold them to account, rule-breaking bailiffs are causing people increased stress, anxiety and financial hardship.
“Almost five years on since they were introduced, it’s high time that the government review its 2014 reforms. While they may have been well-intentioned, they haven’t worked. Since then, Citizens Advice has seen a 24% rise in bailiff problems.
“This is not simply a case of a small number of bailiffs flouting the rules. Our evidence shows one third of the 2.2 million people contacted by a bailiff in the last two years experienced them pushing the limits of the law.
“For the government to show they’re taking this issue seriously, they must use this review to establish an independent bailiff regulator.