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Water Companies' Shocking Bailiff Tactics Revealed by MPs
7 Mar
Summary
- Some water companies instructed bailiffs over 6,000 times annually.
- Wessex Water used bailiffs rarely, while Southern Water was a prolific user.
- MPs highlighted rising bailiff use post-pandemic amid cost-of-living pressures.
New parliamentary data exposes substantial variations in how water companies employ bailiffs for debt recovery, with some firms instructing them over 6,000 times annually. Southern Water notably used bailiffs 15,707 times in 2019, and figures exceeding 6,000 yearly enforcements were also recorded for Yorkshire Water, United Utilities, and Severn Trent.
These figures, released by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee, highlight concerns over the extent of bailiff usage, especially during recent cost-of-living pressures. Wessex Water stands out for not using bailiffs for a decade, while Welsh Water has maintained low usage. The committee stressed that such legal actions cause severe stress and urged companies to review their practices for compassion.
Overall bailiff use across the industry peaked in 2023 and 2024, following the pandemic. Companies like South West Water/Pennon and Northumbrian Water were also identified as prolific users. Water companies argue that enforcement is a last resort, used against customers who can pay but choose not to, or after extensive engagement efforts.
