Bailiffs to get more regulation

[Kafka]

BBC NEWS | Business | Bailiffs to get more regulation

[Celestine]

Re: Bailiffs to get more regulation

"
The Enforcement Services Association, which represents bailiffs, says such incidents are the actions of a "mindless few".
Bailiffs visit premises to collect unpaid debts or seize goods


The ESA already provides a code of conduct for its members, but it does not oppose a new regulatory framework for the industry.
"The Association has been a strong supporter of the government’s enforcement review and has given clear and consistent support to the proposals for a regulatory/licensing regime
"The entire enforcement profession should not be condemned by the actions of a minority. The Association and its membership continues to work for higher standards within the industry," the ESA said."









It just strikes me as extraordinary that an industry that requires its agents to enter peoples homes to seize goods is not already fully regulated.
Any other situation of someone trying to do just this would be burglary.
The industry has too many rogue operators for me to feel at all comfortable with the current situation that leaves the vulnerable and elderly at particular risk.

[Tools]

Re: Bailiffs to get more regulation

The plans were announced in the government's response to a consultation paper, entitled Regulation of Enforcement Agents.

Details of which are attached to this post as a PDF.

1. Members will comply with the Rules of the Association.
2. Members should comply with the provisions of the National Standards for Enforcement Agents [8 May 2002]
3. Members will maintain high standards of business ethics and practices in order not to bring the Association, the enforcement industry or the bailiff profession generally into disrepute.
4. Members will not discriminate on the grounds of age, colour, creed, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.
5. Members will comply with all defined legislation, case law and all health and safety requirements in carrying out enforcement. Members will comply with data protection legislation and maintain strict client confidentiality at all times.
6. Members should on each and every occasion when a visit is made to a debtors property which incurs the debtor in a fee, leave a notice setting out in detail how the fee was made up and retain a record of the said issue of the notice for a minimum period of 12 months, after the date of issue.
7. Members will ensure professional indemnity insurance cover is maintained to their client’s satisfaction.[next time one knocks on your door ask them for a copy of theirs]
8. Corporate members will maintain client accounts, which are audited at least once a year. All members will account for cleared funds in accordance with their client’s instructions.
9. Members will allow their clients free and full access to records for audit and investigation purposes in regard to their own instructions and case work.
10. Members will reply to all letters of enquiry or complaint within ten days of receipt. (Members may, at their discretion, require a request for a receipt to be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope and may refuse to provide a receipt if the requirement is not met.)
11. Members will appear smartly groomed, dressed neatly and soberly, and behave courteously at all times. Members will not misrepresent the powers, qualifications, capacity, experience or ability of themselves their staff, agents or business associates. Letters, notices and other documentation sent or delivered to debtors will not be ambiguous or misleading.
12. Members will declare all associated interests in other companies, firms, associations or groups at the request of the Executive Director. Members will notify the Executive Director of any criminal charges brought against them, their employees, agents or business associates.
13. Members will co-operate with and submit to the Association’s disciplinary procedure (including recourse to independent adjudication). Members will, on request, provide any person or organisation with the name, address and the telephone number of the Association in order to make a complaint or for any other reason.[ask them for this whilst they are providing you with their indemnity insurance details]

14. It is the responsibility of each and every Member to ensure that all employees, self employed agents and business associates are made aware of this Code of Practice and any codes of practice issued by their clients.

[BAILIFFCHASER]

Re: Bailiffs to get more regulation

Esa and acea are just private members clubs. They say one thing in the open forum another to whoever complains. Havent seen them take action against anybody yet.