If you fail to pay a debt after receiving a CCJ, you might have to deal with Martson Bailiffs.
Marston Group Bailiffs might be employed by the debt collection agency chasing you.
But you don’t have to deal with them alone. Use our debt advice to fight back against Marston Group enforcement agents.
It’s not your fault. Complaints to the Financial Ombudsman have risen this year from 830 to 2,006, so it’s safe to say that you’re not alone.
Deal with your debt today and feel better tomorrow.
Are Marstons Debt Collectors or Bailiffs?
Marston Group workers are professional bailiffs in the UK. They recover debts by going to people’s homes and asking for payment, or if not possible, repossessing the debtor’s most valuable items.
These items are then sold at an auction, and the money raised goes towards paying off the debt.
Although they are collecting debt, they are not officially known as ‘debt collectors’. This term refers to debt collection agencies, which do the administration for tracking debtors down and asking them to pay at the start of the debt recovery process.
Only after legal action can a collection agency employ a bailiff team like Marston Group to go to debtors’ homes and recover payments.
Don’t worry, here’s what to do
You could get rid of debt collectors by writing off your debt. I’ve put together a 4 question debt calculator which will tell you if you’re eligible:
Are Marstons Holdings High Court Enforcement?
Marston Group staff are high court enforcement officers. These officers and bailiffs do the same job, but the general public is more familiar with the term bailiffs.
It is more common within the industry – and modern – for these workers to be known as enforcement officers.
Can Marston Holdings Force Entry?
Marston Group agents can use reasonable force to enter your property in the United Kingdom. But note, the collection agency they are working for or the original creditor/company you owe money to can never enter your property or give an indication they can.
These behaviours would be breaking the law. Using reasonable force to enter your property is only allowed by enforcement officers.
Who Do Marston Group Collect For?
Marston Group Bailiffs will recover money for companies that have won a court battle for a debt repayment, but the debtor is ignoring the judge’s request and not coughing up. This means they could work for almost anyone who has won in court.
However, they are known to work for local authorities to collect council tax and government departments. In total, they claim to work for over 500 clients and businesses.
The Marston Group is one of the handful of bailiffs that are used by HM Revenue and Customs. They work with HMRC to collect debts relating to benefit overpayments, unpaid VAT invoices and tax debts.
If you owe money to HMRC, you might expect to deal with Marston Group Bailiffs in the not-so-distant future. HMRC also work with around ten other bailiff firms.
UK Personal Debt 2021 Update:
As of April 2021, the average total debt per UK household was £61,509
(Source: The Money Charity)
Find your best debt solution
Is all this information starting to feel overwhelming? Don’t panic! I’ve put together a 4 question debt calculator so you can quickly and easily find the best solution for you. Answer the four questions now.
Why Is the Marston Group Holdings Contacting Me?
Marston Group might give you prior warning in writing or through calls if they are going to turn up at your door and demand payment.
But in most cases, the Marston Group will not give you notice as providing these details could impede their chances of recovering the debt or your possessions successfully. If you have been to court about a debt and not paid after a CCJ, you could expect Marston Group to come calling.
This is even more likely if you owe money to the UK Government or a local council due to council tax arrears or parking fines.
They may turn up at your property in the early morning. Sometimes this is more advantageous to them as they know you are not yet out of the door to work or to complete your daily tasks. However, they do visits throughout the day, so you may genuinely not be home when they call.
You might be wondering if a law enforcement officer can come to your place of work? We answer this question on a dedicated blog you can read here.
The short answer is no they cannot, simply because it would disclose you have a debt to other people, which is a breach of privacy laws and a criminal offence.
Can the Marston Group Take Everything I Own?
Law enforcement agents are allowed to repossess valuables and sell them at auction. But they cannot take everything you own. For example, if you own expensive tools to work or need your car for work, these are not allowed to be repossessed.
You should contact a UK debt charity or consumer debt advice organisations for more help and details on what the Marston Group can and cannot take from you. Knowing your rights when they turn up will make a difference!
Avoiding debts from escalating to this situation is crucial. We get that it can be tough to face your debts, especially if you know you cannot afford to repay them.
But most people with debts do not realise how many fantastic ways out of debt actually exist. You can spread out the cost of a single debt or multiple debts in one monthly repayment with an IVA, or even write off all your debts with a Debt Relief Order if you have very little disposable income each month.
See our debt solutions page to prevent your other debts resulting in bailiffs on your doorstep. It will help you save money and prevent stress!
What Should I Do If Marston Group Are Coming?
We understand that lots of people cannot afford their debts, and getting a judge to ask you to pay your debts doesn’t change that fact. Therefore, we understand why lots of people continue to not pay after going to court.
The unfortunate reality is that if you do or cannot pay your debts, then bailiffs are a real possibility at this late stage.
The good news is that the Marston Group help debtors to spread out the cost and make payments online (they are not obliged!). You could avoid having your valuables taken away if you commit to a repayment plan with them. You might have to make a bigger payment upfront to prevent them from choosing to repossess items instead.
Marston Group FAQs
Marston Holdings is the largest judicial services company in the United Kingdom and is ultimately owned by Free Flow Topco Limited. They are regulated by The Ministry of Justice.
Marston Holdings is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority via Marston Regulated Services Ltd. Their registration number is 692480. The other trading name of Marston Holdings listed under this registration is Burlington, as well as Chase Appointments, Chase Ireland and Engage Services.
Marston Group registered office is Rutland House, 8th Floor, 148 Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2JR.
Yes, you should write to the Marston Group at Embassy House, 60 (Sixty) Church Street, Birmingham, B3 2DJ.
Martson Group’s customer care agents can be contacted by phone, email or post. There are different phone numbers depending on what sort of debt is involved. Phone calls are recorded and are not free of charge. Their email address is generalenquiries@marstonholdings.co.uk.
If you want further advice to deal with Marstons Group and their law enforcement officers, you should speak with Step Chance UK or Citizens Advice. Search their website and give them a call for help.
References
Schedule 12, Tribunals, Courts and Enforcements Act, 2007
Part 1, Regulation 10, Certification of enforcement agents, 2014.
Gov.uk, CPR – Rules and Directions, 2018.
*Note: This is a real life example based on a customers’ savings data in October 2020.