Do you owe money to Equita? #
Who are Equita? #
Equita is a UK debt collection company and part of the Capita Group. They’ve been in the industry for over 140 years and work with many councils and businesses to collect unpaid debts.
They’re a legitimate firm with around 1,000 staff, including about 350 enforcement agents (also known as bailiffs). These agents may visit your home if a council or court has given them authority to collect a debt.
Equita is based in Northamptonshire and often collects council tax and other local authority debts.
On their website, they describe their approach in four words: diligent, driven, swift, intelligence.
How do Equita work? #
Equita uses computer systems to track who owes them money. Once they’ve bought your debt, you’ll usually get a Notice of Enforcement by post. This letter gives you seven days to pay or contact them. During that time, they may also call or text you.
If you don’t respond, they may send a bailiff to your home. The goal is to get payment on the spot—or to take belongings as payment. You do not have to let them in. The law does not require you to open your door.
If you ever feel unsafe or physically threatened, call the police. Bailiffs are not allowed to lie or say things like “you’ll go to prison” if you don’t pay.
Once bailiff action begins, more fees will be added to your debt.
If they still don’t recover enough, Equita might take court action to get a County Court Judgment (CCJ). If you don’t pay a CCJ within 30 days, it stays on your credit record for six years and can affect your ability to borrow.
If you’ve had a letter or visit from Equita, get in touch with us. We’ll explain your rights, help you understand your options, and may be able to deal with them for you. You’re not alone.
Understanding your options for debt help #
If your total debt is over £5,000, you may be able to apply for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).
An IVA brings all your debts into one plan. It freezes interest and charges, so the amount you owe stops growing. You’ll make one monthly payment, based on what you can afford. After five years, any remaining debt is written off.
During the IVA, your creditors can’t chase or pressure you. It gives you breathing room to get back on track.
An IVA is different from a Debt Relief Order (DRO). DROs last 12 months and are for people on very low incomes who have no way to pay anything back.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, give us a call. We’ll listen, explain your choices, and help you find the best path forward—without judgment or jargon.
Many of the people we’ve helped have left kind reviews, which you can read on the ‘Reviews’ page at the top of our site.
Who are Equita accredited by? #
The firm has accreditations with a range of bodies. Three of the most prominent ones are:
- Credit Services Association
- British Parking Association
- Civil enforcement Association
Who do Equita collect for? #
Equita Ltd provide debt collection services for the following types of businesses and services:
- Local authorities (from rural districts to London Boroughs) – council tax services
- Local authorities – parking fines
- Traffic warrant fines
- Landlords – rent arrears
- Utility companies – electricity, water and gas bills
- Unpaid business rates
Why are Equita contacting me? #
If you are receiving messages from Equita, you likely have an unpaid bill, or you’ve broken the payment terms of a credit agreement with their customers, for example, local councils. As debt collectors, they have the right to buy debt cases from a variety of sources, and they hold a certificate to pursue the debt legally.
Keep in mind that their primary reason for purchasing the debt is to make a profit. Dealing with debt agencies isn’t a game, and burying your head in the sand has no benefits; it will merely lead to more issues and stress in your life.
The best way forward is in fact to take a positive step towards finding an organisation that cares about you as a person, and can help you deal with Equita and its staff.
Can Equita force entry? #
Bailiffs must abide by specific industry standards, even when carrying out a liability order, especially in the current climate.
Bailiffs from any enforcement agent are only allowed to force entry into your home as a final resort if your unpaid debt relates to the following:
- Stamp duty
- Income tax
- A criminal fine
How can I contact Equita? #
If you need to reach Equita directly, their contact information is as follows:
- Phone: 01604 628 360
- Post: Equita Ltd, 42-44 Henry Street, Northampton, NN1 4BZ – Equita ask that you include your reference number, name and address in all letters
- Email: info@equita.co.uk
Testimonials #
“Thanks so much to Ethan & Matt for guiding me through the initial process. They were professional, informative and highly supportive.““Good advice and very helpful.““Very helpful and supportive of my situation no judging talked me through the process very professional.”
Equita Frequently Asked Questions #
Equita Limited is a legitimate business, registered in England and Wales from July 1999, under company registration number 3168371. It has a registered office address at 42-44 Henry Street, Northampton, NN1 4BZ.
Equita are part of the Capita Group.
There are also numerous consumer debt advice organisations, who are there to support you, including:
- National Debtline
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- StepChange
When you get in touch with one of these institutions, you’ll soon realise just many how people are battling debt problems, and that you have a lot of support at your fingertips.
Any one of these organisations can help you to understand your rights if you are receiving threats from creditors. They also offer practical support with areas such as how to make a complaint, how to budget, and what behaviours constitute harassment if you are receiving phone calls, letters, text messages or bailiff visits.
Take the time to read an article, or a collection of their posts to understand more about the debt market. Then use this information to improve your chances of a debt-free future. Remember there is always something that you can do, and quite often there’s more than one thing.
HMRC use numerous enforcement agencies to collect debt relating to unpaid tax bills, which is government money. At the time of writing, Equita bailiffs are not providing debt agency services for HMRC.
The best email address to use when contacting Equita is info@equita.co.uk.
Before taking responsibility as a debtor, we recommend that you ask for proof and evidence of the debt and its balance, if you do not recognise it. It’s possible to receive messages about enforcement action that relates to other debtors.
Before you pay anything, check your debt letter or notice from Equita to find the details of your debt account and which creditor, or list of creditors the bill originates from. You are welcome to call our team for independent advice. Otherwise, you can make payments to Equita through the following options:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Lump sum payment
- Payment plan – Equita are likely to be happy to accept overpayments on this play
- Direct payment to Equita bailiffs/mr guys during enforcement action
- Direct debit
- Post
If Equita have taken your case to court, they may receive an order that allows their enforcement officer to seize your possessions to the value of the debt if you do not pay within 30 days of the court action. It’s best to involve us as soon as possible to avoid everything escalating to this stage.
Equita’s Northampton office is the debt collector’s registered office address. They may also have an office in Manchester.
Having a CCJ on your credit report makes it much more difficult for you to secure funding from banks or other finance companies in the future. However, if you pay the CCJ in full within 30 days of when the court issues it, then the CCJ will not be placed on your credit report. After this time, it will stay on your credit file for six years.
If you receive a visit from Equita bailiffs, you do not have to let them into your property. You can communicate with them through your letterbox, by phone or ask them to send you a letter.
They do not have a right to force entry into your home unless they are collecting for very specific types of debt, such as:
- criminal fines
- HMRC tax debts such as unpaid income tax
You are within your rights to ask the bailiff to show you their ID, such as a badge, certificate or identification card, and proof of your debt. If the individual who visits you identifies themself as a ‘debt collector’ rather than a bailiff, they have to abide by any request you make for them to leave your property. A debt collector has fewer rights.
Equita bailiffs can only force entry for very specific types of debt. In that circumstance, they must show that they have only used reasonable force, which generally means using a locksmith.
In the first instance you should contact Equita, quoting your reference number and let them know why you are dissatisfied with their service.
If you have raised a complaint with Equita and you are not happy with their response, you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) through the complaint form on their website, explaining the reasons why you feel you have not been treated fairly as a client. The OFT no longer has authority in this process.
It may be possible to write off any debts that are with a debt collection agency if they total £5,000 or more of unsecured debt. Your debt portfolio total can include any of the following liabilities: loans, credit cards, catalogues, payday loans, overdrafts and all other forms of unsecured debt.
Financial Advisor at IVA Advice #
I am a CII Advanced Diploma Financial Advisor with over 15 years of experience working with FCA Regulated Finance Companies in the insurance, credit card, loan and debt industry.
I am very familiar with The Civil Enforcement Association and the High Court Enforcement Officers Association and I have written extensively on Financial Services matters.
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