New rules tackling bailiffs’ aggressive behaviour and banning them from entering homes at night will come into force this weekend.

The government confirmed yesterday that changes to the law will also prevent bailiffs from entering properties where only children are at home and from taking vital household essentials such as cookers, microwaves, fridges or washing machines.

Other changes in the law will ban landlords from using bailiffs to seize property for residential rent debts without going to court first, while the debt collectors will have to give courts information on the likely means of entry and amount of force required before a warrant is granted.