Complain against an enforcement agent
How do you complain against an enforcement agent? The Enforcement Conduct Board is the independent oversight body for the enforcement (bailiff) sector. They are here to make sure that everyone experiencing enforcement action is being treated fairly.
Just so you know, the Enforcement Conduct Board have set standards that ECB accredited enforcement firms and agents must meet.
If you believe that an ECB accredited enforcement firm or agent working for them has not met these standards or has not treated you fairly you can complain.
Complain to the enforcement firm first
You should first put your complaint to the enforcement firm.
If you are not sure about how to complain to the enforcement firm, the relevant information should be on their website.
If you are unable to locate it, ask the enforcement firm or the person you have been dealing with for information about how to make a complaint.
Alternatively, a family member, friend or our debt adviser can help you with making a complaint.
Complain to the ECB
If it’s not possible to resolve the complaint with the firm, you can escalate your complaint to the ECB by following this link:
They will investigate complaints about enforcement activity that happened from 1 January 2025 onwards. They will begin accepting complaints against firms accredited with them on 6 January 2025.
Complaints that pre-date 1 January 2025
If your complaint relates to enforcement activity that took place before 1 January 2025 there may be other ways of escalating it, depending on the type of debt and the type of enforcement agent. You can find out more on: Bailiff powers when they visit your home: How to complain about a bailiff – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If the enforcement firm is enforcing debt on behalf of a Local Authority in England or Wales, it may be possible to raise a complaint with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (England) or the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (Wales). You may need to put your complaint to the relevant Local Authority first before escalating your complaint. You can find details on how to escalate your complaint on the LGSCO’s website here: Enforcement agents – Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or the PSOW’s website here: Various other – Enforce – Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
Get help
If you need advice about your situation, we can help for free.
- Email: info@youthlegal.org.uk
- Phone: 020 3195 1906 (Mon to Fri, 10am to 6pm)
- Contact form: youthlegal.org.uk/contact-us
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