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MSE News: New laws will regulate bailiffs
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Former_MSE_Helen
Posts: 2,382 Forumite
"Bailiffs will be policed under new laws to 'clean up' the industry and protect vulnerable debtors, says the MoJ..."
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More official detail ---> https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-bailiff-action
And full government paper detailing proposals --> Consultation response
And impact assessment --> Impact assessmentFree/impartial debt advice: National Debtline | StepChange Debt Charity | Find your local CAB
IVA & fee charging DMP companies: Profits from misery, motivated ONLY by greed0 -
If you remove the teeth from Bailiff's then surely you also remove their effectiveness? Be interesting see how this pans out....0
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Hang about. I'm a little confused after looking though that document.
These changes will affect High Court Enforcement Officers as well as the three types of Bailiff? These are the people who have the most powers to abuse.0 -
so whos going to check on them and enforceDon't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.0
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so whos going to check on them and enforceRemedies and Complaints handling
20. We will set up a working group with representatives from all our stakeholders and a representative from the Local Government Ombudsman office to develop a clear route for complaints in order for people to secure appropriate redress.
That's a fundamental question, chanz, and despite all the effort and time, and this 70-page document, I don't think anyone knows the answer
It seems the LGO doesn't want to relinquish any control they have of their sector, which is where bailiffs are predominantly used already, set to increase when local councils start billing working age JSA/IS/ESA claimants for Council Tax in April. And so self-regulation is still one of the options.
But there will be 'a clear route for complaints in order for people to secure appropriate redress' - apparently.0 -
which is where bailiffs are predominantly used already, set to increase when local councils start billing working age JSA/IS/ESA claimants for Council Tax in April
There's unlikely to be a huge increase in bailiff action based on what most local authorities are planning. Many are planning not to enforce the relatively small balances which will become due (some are planning to write if off) and for most local authorities the balances will be below the threshold that they use bailiff action anyway.
What you will see is an increase in is attachment of benefit orders - it's the most cost effective way of trying to recover small debts. You only get £3.55 per week but compared to the time and effort to chase and enforce small debts its usually the best option.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0 -
I hope you're right CIS but my council is budgeting to recover 85% of the 'new' council tax so I can only see them being tolerant up to a point.
There's a hardship fund that will help around 400 accounts but 27000 are being brought into the net that were formerly 100% benefit.
The demand is for 25% so couples can expect to be billed for around £250 each year, and £3.55 per week will not cover that. My council will use bailiffs for less than £250 as things stand, and they routinely use bailiffs when the option of deduction from benefits is available, though I know council policies vary.
All that is a bit off topic. How do you reckon the new regs are going to be policed?0 -
They will be policed as much as the fsa does banks....not much all hype and no actionDon't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.0
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couples can expect to be billed for around £250 each year, and £3.55 per week will not cover that.
At around £185 it is not that far short. I think many councils will go down this route as the most cost effective.I used to think that good grammar is important, but now I know that good wine is importanter.0 -
iolanthe07 wrote: »couples can expect to be billed for around £250 each year, and £3.55 per week will not cover that.
At around £185 it is not that far short. I think many councils will go down this route as the most cost effective.
...carrying the arrears forward to the next year presumably.0
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