On 28 August, the government announced a crackdown on two long-running problems: dodgy tradespeople and aggressive bailiffs. Here's what was said, what it means in practice, and what you should do about it.
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What was announced
From September, a government-backed scheme will make it easier to find trustworthy tradespeople. Firms that sign up to the new Approved Code - run by the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) - have to meet higher standards on service, transparency and resolving disputes.
Alongside it sits a separate payment protection system, an app called Trusted Payments, that holds your money and releases it in stages as work is completed, rather than handing over a lump sum upfront.
Separately, private bailiffs in England and Wales will face mandatory independent regulation. To keep working, they'll need to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (or work for a firm that is), and anyone facing enforcement will have access to an independent complaints process.
What it actually means
The headline is that consumers will have clearer ways to identify reputable builders, while bailiffs will move from voluntary oversight to mandatory independent regulation. The measures focus on helping consumers identify trusted traders through an Approved Code and safer payment arrangements, while supporting reputable businesses that already meet higher standards.
The staged-payment system is the more practical change: it shifts the financial risk away from the customer, so a builder disappearing with your deposit becomes much harder.
On bailiffs, the shift from opt-in to mandatory oversight is the significant part. Previously, a bailiff could sidestep the voluntary code; now, accreditation is required to obtain or renew the certification needed to work, and there's somewhere to complain when things go wrong.
Worth being clear on the limits: the Approved Code won't be fully live until December 2026, and this is a code and accreditation scheme, not new criminal law. It is intended to improve standards and consumer protection, but does not prevent all disputes or poor-quality work.
What it means for our clients
If you're a homeowner, you'll soon have a straightforward way to check whether a trader meets a recognised standard, and a safer way to pay for larger jobs. If you're a tradesperson who already does right by your customers, this is an opportunity. Signing up lets you stand apart from operators who undercut on price and cut corners.
If you're dealing with debt or enforcement, you now have clearer rights and a route to challenge unfair treatment.
What you should do
If you're planning building work: wait for the Approved Code to go live before assuming a trader is covered, and in the meantime ask directly whether they'll use a staged-payment arrangement. Treat any pressure to pay a large sum upfront as a warning sign.
If you're a trader: the Approved Code is being run by the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, rolling out from late 2026. It's worth watching for details as registration opens - check the FHIO and CTSI websites for how to sign up and what's involved.
If you're facing bailiff action: check whether the bailiff is ECB-accredited, keep a record of any conduct that feels intimidating or unfair, and use the independent complaints process if you need to.
Based on the government announcement of 28 August 2026. You can read the full statement here: Government steps in to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs - GOV.UK