Equita Bailiffs: Your Rights and Next Steps

Received a letter from Equita? Check the debt, the authority being used and the response deadline before deciding what to do.

Your worries about a bailiff visiting your home or taking your things are understood here. We know dealing with debt can be very stressful, as Citizens Advice estimate households have around £18.9 billion in unpaid bills like council tax and utilities¹. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this article, we’ll explain:

•  How to check if the debt is truly yours. If not, you don’t have to pay!
•  What to do if you get a debt letter from Equita.
•  The reason Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors might be contacting you.
•  Whether you can write off some of your debt.
•  How to handle it if a bailiff comes to your home.

Our team knows what it’s like to deal with debt collectors. We’ve been there, so we understand how you’re feeling.

Keep reading to learn more about dealing with Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors.

What is the reason for the contact by Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors?

You may not have heard of Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors before, and you might be wondering why they are chasing you about debt.

These debt companies are chasing money on behalf of other organisations you owe the money to.

Equita provides enforcement and debt collection services. When acting as enforcement agents, its staff collect on behalf of the instructing creditor using the relevant legal authority. That does not mean Equita has bought the debt.

Although contact by these debt collectors is frustrating, you still need to speak to them and sort out the outstanding money.

StepChange found that over half of their respondents say dealing with bailiffs made paying off their debt more difficult. Many say that they had to take out more credit to pay the bailiffs².

What’s the first thing to do if I get a debt letter?

Ask for the creditor’s name, an itemised balance and the warrant, writ, liability order or other authority being enforced. A missing consumer credit agreement does not cancel council tax, penalty charges or other debts that do not arise from that kind of agreement. Do not ignore enforcement deadlines while requesting evidence.

If the debt or enforcement is disputed, contact the creditor and Equita promptly and ask a free debt adviser about the correct challenge. Requesting evidence does not automatically suspend enforcement or cancel a debt.

What if I’ve had evidence that the debt is mine?

The age of a debt alone does not establish that it is unenforceable. Council tax, penalty charges, tax debts and court judgments have different rules from ordinary consumer credit debts. In particular, an existing judgment or liability order does not simply expire after six years. Ask a debt adviser to check the debt type, dates and enforcement authority before relying on a limitation defence.

Do not apply the six-year rules for ordinary unsecured debts to council tax liability orders, penalty-charge warrants or existing judgments without specialist advice.

The date of a missed payment is only one part of a limitation assessment. The kind of debt and any court action also matter.

Tax and benefit overpayment debts have specific rules, and an unpaid CCJ does not simply expire when its six-year credit-file entry ends.

If you think a limitation or prescription rule applies, ask a debt adviser to check it before making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing. Do not ignore court or enforcement papers.

Should you pay the debt back?

If you owe the money to Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors, you should make arrangements to pay it back.

Our financial expert, Janine Marsh, advises: ‘If a bailiff has proven you owe money and you don’t have cash to hand, you’re within your rights to suggest a payment plan. It’s not a guarantee, but many will accept this as it’s easier than repossession.

Please bear in mind that they may ask for proof of your income and expenditure.

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Why you should pay back the debt from Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors

If you are wondering if you really need to pay back Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors, these are some reasons why you should make payments.

It will save you some stress

Debt is stressful and if Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors are constantly trying to reach you, it will cause you a great deal of stress.

If the debt is valid and payment is affordable after essentials, use verified payment details. Ask for written confirmation of what payment or an arrangement will settle; it does not guarantee that every account notice or call will stop.

Do not let debt collectors bully you into paying back more than you can afford, make sure it is a realistic amount that works for you, after you have covered your important bills, such as your rent and energy bills.

Complain to the enforcement firm and the creditor who instructed it. For council or Transport for London debts, use the creditor’s complaints process and then the relevant local government ombudsman if appropriate. Other cases have different routes: check GOV.UK’s bailiff complaint guidance. A complaint does not automatically suspend enforcement.

Keep copies of notices, payment records and correspondence so that the complaint can be investigated.

Can the debt affect your credit record?

A debt’s credit effect depends on its type and the records created. An Equita letter or ordinary council tax arrears do not by themselves create a credit-account default or CCJ.

A default or CCJ can affect credit applications. Whether a particular debt appears on your credit file depends on the debt and reporting rules; ordinary council tax arrears are not reported like a credit account. Payment does not necessarily remove an existing default or CCJ early.

Check your credit reports for accuracy and challenge errors with the lender or credit reference agency.

There are multiple debt solutions that will help you overcome debt and allow you to start building up your credit once more.

Know Your Rights

Although bailiffs have a certain degree of authority, it’s important that you know their rights and yours when dealing with them. This way, you won’t be taken advantage of, and you can deal with the situation in a much more effective way.

Here’s a quick table summarizing what bailiffs can and can’t do.

Bailiffs may	Important limits
Visit under a valid enforcement power	Normally at least 14 clear days’ notice is required before taking control of goods; courts can shorten notice. An eligible debt-advice request can extend it to 28 clear days.
Take non-exempt goods belonging to the debtor	They cannot take ordinary essential household items or someone else’s property. Some jointly owned goods may be affected.
Take a vehicle where legally permitted	Ownership, finance, disability and other exemptions must be checked. ANPR does not remove those limits.
Enter through a door when lawful	For ordinary civil debts they usually cannot force first entry to a home. A CCJ by itself is not a power to break in.
Enter into a controlled goods agreement	Ask for a clear inventory and terms; breaking an agreement can have serious consequences.
Sell goods under the enforcement rules	Notice and sale requirements apply. Get advice if you dispute ownership, exemption, entry or fees.

England and Wales only. Tools and equipment needed personally for work, study or education have a combined exemption limit of £1,350. The rules differ elsewhere in the UK.

How do I Make a Complaint about Bailiffs?

If you think Equita or an enforcement agent has broken the rules, complain to the firm and the creditor. The relevant rules and escalation route depend on the type of debt and enforcement.

Make your first complaint to Equita Bailiffs so that they have the chance to sort out the issue themselves. If you feel that they have not taken your complaint seriously enough or have not addressed your issue properly, you can escalate matters.

Complain to the enforcement firm and the creditor who instructed it. For council or Transport for London debts, use the creditor’s complaints process and then the relevant local government ombudsman if appropriate. Other cases have different routes: check GOV.UK’s bailiff complaint guidance. A complaint does not automatically suspend enforcement.

Check the firm’s current complaints procedure and any applicable trade association or independent enforcement complaints scheme. A complaint is separate from a court application to suspend or challenge enforcement.

Can I Get a Debt Solution?

If you are dealing with Equita Bailiffs or have other unsecured debts that you are struggling to pay, you might benefit from a debt solution.

There are several different debt solutions available in the UK, so I recommend speaking to a debt charity as soon as possible. Their advisors will be able to look at your finances in detail and help you work out which debt solution will work best for you.

You can obtain free, impartial advice from services such as Citizens Advice, National Debtline or StepChange. Commercial referral partners are separate from debt charities.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A DMP is an informal debt solution that lets you pay off your debts via a single monthly payment.

Because it is informal, it is not legally binding so you are not tied into a DMP for a minimum number of payments.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA binds creditors for debts covered by an approved arrangement. Its terms set the contributions, assets and other requirements; necessary notices and excluded debts are separate.

An IVA commonly involves several years of contributions, but terms vary. Only qualifying unpaid debts covered by it may be discharged on successful completion.

An IVA is a formal insolvency arrangement available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Suitability depends on your debts, assets, income and ability to meet an affordable proposal; there is no general legal rule requiring more than one creditor. Fees, credit-file effects and the consequences of failure matter. Only debts covered by the arrangement receive its protection, and a write-off depends on its terms and successful completion.

Trust Deed

Scotland has different formal debt options, including protected trust deeds, the Debt Arrangement Scheme and sequestration. A protected trust deed has its own eligibility, contribution and asset rules; it is not automatically the right alternative to an IVA. Get advice from a Scottish debt adviser before choosing.

A protected trust deed can affect assets and your credit record. Only debts covered by its protection are affected, and discharge depends on meeting the arrangement’s requirements.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO may be suitable if its debt, income, asset and other eligibility tests are met. An approved adviser must assess your circumstances. Related guidance: DRO .

A Debt Relief Order may be available in England and Wales if you meet the debt, income, asset and other eligibility limits. It normally pauses recovery of the qualifying debts listed in the order for 12 months, after which those debts are discharged if the order remains in force. Ongoing bills and excluded debts still need paying. Apply through an approved debt adviser; there is no application fee.

Tell your approved intermediary about relevant changes. Discharge depends on the order remaining in force and applies to listed qualifying debts, not every unsecured balance.

Bankruptcy

If you have debts but no realistic possibility of ever paying them off, you may need to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy has an unfair stigma attached to it as it may be your only way of getting a financial fresh start. That said, it is a serious financial situation that should not be taken lightly.

Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy.

Scotland’s Minimal Asset Process is a form of sequestration with specific debt, income and asset conditions. There is no MAP application fee, and discharge is normally after six months if the conditions continue to be met. A Scottish money adviser can assess suitability.

The new debt breathing space scheme

If enforcement is threatened while you seek advice, ask a debt adviser whether the Breathing Space scheme in England and Wales is suitable for you.

In England and Wales, standard Breathing Space can protect qualifying debts from most enforcement, interest and charges for up to 60 days. It is not a payment holiday: ongoing liabilities remain due and exclusions and eligibility rules apply.

There are two types of breathing space that you can apply for:

• A standard breathing space is arranged by a debt adviser where the eligibility and suitability tests are met; it is not automatic for everyone with debt.

A mental health crisis breathing space requires qualifying crisis treatment and supporting evidence. Protection normally lasts for that treatment plus 30 days.

Equita Bailiffs Debt Collectors Contact Details

Website:	https://equita.co.uk/
Phone number:	01604 628 360
Address:	Previously listed: 42-44 Henry Street, Northampton. Confirm the current correspondence address on Equita’s official contact page before writing.
Email Address:	Check the current email or enquiry form on Equita’s official contact page.
Pay online:	https://equita.co.uk/customer-portal/make-a-payment/
Online Enquiry for Outstanding Account	https://equita.co.uk/contact-us/outstanding-account/

References

1. Citizens Advice – Debt Statistics and Bailiff Issues
2. StepChange – Creditor and Debt Collector Conduct

Schedule 12, Tribunals, Courts and Enforcements Act, 2007

Part 1, Regulation 10, Certification of enforcement agents, 2014.

Gov.uk, CPR – Rules and Directions, 2018.