Bailiff companies · 5 min read
Equita bailiffs: how to deal with an Equita letter or visit
Equita enforcement agents collect council tax, parking penalties and other debts for public bodies. What their letters mean, how to set up an affordable payment plan and what to do if you're vulnerable.
- Fact-checked
- Against official sources
- Last updated
- Next review due
- April 2027
- Applies to
- England and Wales
- Sources
- 4 listed on this page
Independent guidance, not a government service. This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not financial or legal advice. Debt solutions have fees, risks and consequences. For free, impartial advice, contact MoneyHelper or a debt charity.
The short answer
Equita is a private enforcement company that collects debts such as council tax and parking penalties for councils and other public bodies. A letter from Equita usually means the debt has reached the bailiff stage and a £79 compliance fee has been added. You can still stop it from getting worse: offer an affordable payment plan before any visit, tell them if you’re vulnerable, and ask the creditor to step in if needed.
Why Equita is contacting you
Equita acts on behalf of the creditor, which has passed your debt to it for enforcement. The creditor is usually:
- your council, for council tax arrears or a parking penalty
- the court, for an unpaid fine or judgment
The letter should name the creditor and give a reference. Equita doesn’t own the debt, so the creditor keeps control – including the power to take the debt back.
If you’ve moved, or the name on the letter isn’t yours, read bailiffs chasing someone who doesn’t live here.
The key dates
For warrants passed to Equita on or after 1 May 2026, you must get a Notice of Enforcement at least 14 clear days before an agent can visit to take control of your goods. A debt adviser can ask for that to be extended to 28 clear days if they ask before the notice period ends.
This window is the best time to act, because paying or agreeing a plan now keeps the fees at £79. Once an agent visits, another £247 (plus 7.5% of any debt over £1,900) can be added. See bailiff fees explained.
How to agree a payment plan you can keep
The biggest risk with any bailiff company is agreeing to payments that are too high. A broken plan usually leads to a visit and more fees. In a StepChange survey of clients who’d faced bailiff action, around half said they’d felt pressured into plans they couldn’t afford.
- Write a simple budget. List your income, then essentials: rent or mortgage, current council tax, energy, food, travel, phone, childcare.
- Offer what’s left, or less. It’s fine to start with a smaller offer.
- Put it in writing. Email Equita with your offer, your budget and the reference number.
- Ask for confirmation in writing, including the amount, dates and the total owed.
- If Equita says no, contact the creditor and ask it to accept your offer or recall the debt.
A controlled goods agreement is different from a simple payment plan. Breaking one can allow an agent to re-enter your home later, so be extra careful about signing one.
If you’re vulnerable
Tell Equita and the creditor straight away if you’re struggling with your mental or physical health, have a disability, are pregnant, recently bereaved, caring for someone or finding it hard to understand the letters. Enforcement firms are expected to identify vulnerability and adapt, and many councils will take a debt back from bailiffs in these situations.
If you’re receiving mental health crisis treatment, a debt adviser can apply for mental health crisis Breathing Space. Read bailiffs and vulnerable people.
What Equita’s agents can and can’t do
| They can | They can’t |
|---|---|
| Visit between 6am and 9pm after the notice period | Force entry for council tax or parking penalties |
| Enter peacefully through an unlocked door | Enter if only children under 16 or vulnerable people are home |
| Take control of non-essential goods you own | Take essentials, work tools up to £1,350 or other people’s goods |
| Clamp a car that belongs to you | Take a car on finance or displaying a valid Blue Badge |
| Charge the fixed fees set by law | Charge fees that aren’t in the regulations |
Read more: can bailiffs force entry? and what can bailiffs take?
Other ways to stop Equita
- Breathing Space pauses most bailiff action for 60 days while you get advice – see our Breathing Space guide.
- Council tax help: check you’re getting Council Tax Reduction and every discount – see Council Tax Reduction.
- Formal debt solutions: a Debt Relief Order or IVA can stop bailiff action for the debts included.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Equita give you to pay?
For cases passed to bailiffs from 1 May 2026, the minimum notice before a visit is 14 clear days, or 28 if a debt adviser asks in time. Act within that period to avoid further fees.
Can Equita take my belongings if I rent?
They can only take goods that belong to you. Your landlord’s furniture and your housemates’ belongings can’t be taken.
Can I complain about Equita?
Yes. Complain to Equita first, copy in the creditor, and escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for council debts or the Enforcement Conduct Board if the firm is accredited. See how to complain about a bailiff.
Sources
How we wrote this article
- Research: written from primary sources such as legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and the Insolvency Service, then fact-checked by a second member of our team. The sources are listed above.
- Checked: last checked on . Next review due April 2027, or sooner if the rules change.
- Scope: applies to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, read our Scotland and Northern Ireland guide. It is general information, not personal advice.
- Independence: we are not a government website or service, and we are not connected to any council, court or enforcement company.
- Money: we may receive a fee if we introduce you to a debt advice firm. This doesn't change what we write. How we're paid.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email hello@howtostopthebailiffs.co.uk and we'll check it. Read our full editorial policy.