Fresh Start Debt Support
If you’ve received a letter, text, email or doorstep visit from Equita, you’re not alone—and you have options. At Fresh Start Debt Support we help people stabilise priority bills like council tax arrears, deal with parking and traffic penalties (PCNs), reduce contact pressure using fair rules and Breathing Space, and—where suitable—move multiple debts into one affordable monthly plan such as a Debt Management Plan (DMP), IVA or DRO.
This guide is built for people specifically searching for Equita help. We’ll cover how Equita enforcement works, what bailiffs can and can’t do, the typical stages and fees, and the practical steps that calm things quickly. You’ll also find plain-English resources like Stop Debt Collectors, What is debt collection? and Compare Solutions so you can choose a route that fits your life—not just a spreadsheet.
Start My Free Equita CheckPrefer to learn first? Explore What We Do or try our Debt Calculator.
Save letters, envelopes, texts, emails and any doorstep cards from Equita. Photograph them. Note dates and reference numbers. A tidy record makes responding easier and helps fix mistakes faster.
Stabilise the household before anything else: council tax, energy/utilities, and housing obligations like rent arrears or mortgage arrears. When essential costs are protected, we can build a fair offer to Equita and other creditors.
Use our Debt Calculator to map income and real-world spending (commuting, childcare, energy, food). We’ll refine it with you—so your plan is sustainable, not a one-month stretch that snaps.
Written communication keeps a clear trail. Where appropriate, we help you use Breathing Space—a legal pause on most enforcement—so pressure reduces while your longer-term route is finalised. We also issue a reference number you can quote to creditors.
We’ll compare DMP, IVA and DRO to bring Equita and other creditors into one affordable, defendable plan where suitable. See Compare Solutions for a quick overview.
Tell Me My Best OptionEquita act as enforcement agents (commonly called bailiffs). Local authorities often instruct them to collect council tax arrears and parking/traffic penalties (PCNs). They may also chase business rates and certain other local authority debts. When arrears escalate—typically after reminders and legal steps for council tax (a liability order) or after a PCN progresses—your council may pass the account to an enforcement firm such as Equita to recover the outstanding balance and any enforcement-stage fees.
Enforcement agents are allowed to contact you, but they must follow rules. You do not have to agree to unaffordable payments at the door or over the phone. Keep communications polite, ask for things in writing, and focus on what is genuinely affordable. For practical scripts and calm next steps, see Stop Debt Collectors.
Ask for details in writing (reference, dates, period owed). We’ll help you check the liability and whether the amount looks right. Don’t accept or set payments until your budget is built and the details are clear. Read What is debt collection? to understand how accounts move between teams and firms.
Have Us Check Your Equita LetterLocal authority enforcement usually follows three broad stages: Compliance (you’re sent a Notice of Enforcement), Enforcement (an agent attends your address) and—if unresolved—potential Sale/Removal. Each stage can add fees, so acting early can reduce the total cost. Knowing where you are helps you respond effectively.
Equita normally send a Notice of Enforcement with a deadline to respond. If you set a realistic arrangement at this stage, you may avoid a doorstep visit. Keep proof of every message and payment. Never offer more than your budget allows, even if the deadline feels tight.
An enforcement agent may attend your address. You can communicate through the door or in writing—you don’t have to let them in for council tax or PCNs on a first visit. Letting them in or signing a Controlled Goods Agreement (CGA) can change what happens next, so seek advice before agreeing to anything you’re unsure about.
If arrangements fail and goods are taken under control, further action may be considered. Our goal is to avoid escalation by protecting essentials early and setting a defendable, affordable plan.
Don’t promise an amount you can’t sustain just to end today’s call or visit. Build a budget using the Debt Calculator and we’ll help you propose a plan that lasts.
Stop Escalation — Get a Real PlanEnforcement is serious—but there are clear rules and practical steps that reduce pressure. Knowing your rights keeps you calm and in control.
For council tax and PCNs, forced entry is not the default on a first visit. You can keep doors closed, speak politely, and ask for communications in writing. If you’re seeking help, say so—and that you’ll respond with an affordable proposal in writing shortly.
A CGA lists items the agent says are “under control” to secure repayments. Do not sign a CGA under pressure. Only sign if the repayment is genuinely affordable and you understand the implications. If you’re unsure, pause and get advice first.
Tell Equita in writing if a vehicle is essential for work, is on finance/lease, or if tools are necessary for your trade. We’ll help you explain this clearly and appropriately.
If you’re vulnerable (e.g., health condition, disability, recent bereavement, pregnancy, single parenthood without support), tell Equita in writing and ask for reasonable adjustments. We can help you phrase this sensitively.
Where appropriate, we help you use Breathing Space—a legal pause on most enforcement and interest—so we can prepare your longer-term solution without constant pressure.
Ask About Breathing SpaceMost people facing Equita also have other arrears: credit cards, catalogues/BNPL, overdrafts, loans, energy, even HMRC. Where suitable, we bring everything under one roof so life gets simpler and your money stretches further.
One affordable monthly payment shared across creditors. Many creditors will consider freezing or reducing interest and charges (not guaranteed). Useful flexibility if income fluctuates.
Formal, legally binding agreement. You pay what’s affordable for an agreed term; remaining eligible unsecured debt may be written off on successful completion. Provides strong protection from most creditor action once approved.
For low income/low assets. Strict eligibility applies; debts are usually frozen for 12 months and then written off if your situation doesn’t improve.
See Compare Solutions for a side-by-side overview, then ask for a tailored recommendation based on your numbers and goals.
Get My Personalised PlanSave letters, texts, emails, envelopes and photos of visit cards. Note dates and references in a simple log.
Stabilise council tax, utilities, and housing (rent / mortgage) before anything else.
Use the Debt Calculator. We’ll refine it with you so it’s realistic and defendable.
Keep records. Tell Equita you’re seeking support and will provide an affordable proposal in writing.
Where appropriate, Breathing Space reduces pressure while we organise your plan.
Get advice first. Never agree to an amount you can’t keep just to end today’s visit or call.
We’ll talk through DMP, IVA and DRO—pros, cons and timelines—so you can decide confidently.
If you’re also hearing from Lowell, Cabot, Moorcroft, Advantis, Link Financial, Capquest, Wescot, Resolvecall, Hoist, Robinson Way, Fredrickson, Moriarty Law, Drydensfairfax or PRA Group, we’ll include them where suitable.
Record dates, actions, promises and letters. A clear timeline helps if anything needs challenging later.
If income or bills change, we’ll review—DMPs are typically flexible; IVAs include variation processes.
Follow the Action Plan with a SpecialistDoorstep visits can feel intimidating, but you have choices. You can speak through the door, request communications in writing, and focus on a realistic arrangement after your budget is built. You generally do not need to let an agent in for council tax/PCNs on a first visit.
You may find a card or letter. Save it. Don’t rush to call and accept a high repayment; complete our JotForm and let us help you shape a fair proposal.
You can decline. Keep it polite and brief. Share that you’re seeking support and will respond with an affordable arrangement in writing.
It’s still not game over. Tell us what was said or signed, and we’ll help you stabilise the situation and set a plan you can keep.
I’ve Had an Equita Visit — What Now?Equita often handle more than one type of local authority debt. The practical steps below explain how we tailor your response depending on what you owe.
Once arrears progress to a liability order, the council can instruct enforcement agents like Equita. Prioritise council tax alongside housing and energy. We’ll build a defendable budget and help you communicate an affordable plan. Read more at Council Tax Debt.
PCNs escalate through statutory stages. If you’re at enforcement, keep everything in writing and act quickly. We’ll help you set a realistic arrangement and look at overall affordability so your other bills aren’t derailed.
If you’re self-employed or a director, business rates debts can also be passed to enforcement. See Business Debt for tailored support and consider how a plan interacts with variable income.
Where appropriate, we’ll explore Breathing Space and longer-term routes like DMP, IVA or DRO to bring stability.
Match Me to the Right RouteYour budget must reflect your life: rent/mortgage, council tax, energy, commuting, childcare, food, and a small buffer for the unexpected. A rushed arrangement that ignores these costs often breaks next month and makes things worse. We build stability first, then solutions.
We protect housing, energy and council tax to reduce escalation and emergency costs. Then we make sustainable offers to non-priority debts via a DMP or, where appropriate, a formal route like an IVA or DRO.
DMPs are typically flexible for adjustments; IVAs include a formal variation process. We’ll help you adapt sensibly so your plan stays realistic across the year.
Get a head start with the Debt Calculator. It’s a quick way to test what’s doable before you speak to us.
Build a Budget I Can KeepKnowing how original banks and card providers typically behave helps you plan. Explore our lender pages:
If your account has been sold or assigned, we’ll help confirm the current owner and route communication correctly—reducing back-and-forth and stress. If other collectors are involved, see our calm guides for Lowell, Cabot, Moorcroft, Advantis, Link Financial, Capquest, Wescot, Resolvecall, Hoist, Robinson Way, Fredrickson, Moriarty Law, Drydensfairfax and PRA Group.
Get Help Dealing with My LendersFor council tax and PCNs, forced entry is not the default on a first visit. Keep doors closed, speak politely, and prefer written communication. If you’ve already let them in or signed a Controlled Goods Agreement, get advice quickly so we can help stabilise things.
Only if the repayment is genuinely affordable and you understand the implications. Never sign under pressure. If unsure, pause and ask us first.
Breathing Space can pause most enforcement and interest once it’s in place. We’ll explain eligibility, timing and how it fits with your chosen route (e.g., DMP, IVA, DRO).
Yes—council tax and PCNs are stabilised as priorities, but we also map non-priority debts (credit cards, catalogues, overdrafts, loans) into a single overall plan where suitable so everything moves together.
Ask Equita for a written breakdown and evidence, then share it with us. We’ll help you check the details and respond appropriately while ensuring your budget isn’t compromised by errors.
We’ll tailor your route to your income pattern. DMPs are often flexible; IVAs have variation processes; DROs may fit some low-income/low-asset situations. If you run a business, see Business Debt.
Ask us directly and get a personalised answer in minutes.
Ask a Debt SpecialistDay 1–2: You receive a Notice of Enforcement from Equita. You save photos of everything, including the envelope. You don’t call to agree a high repayment on the spot.
Day 2–4: You complete our quick JotForm. We call (or WhatsApp) to start a fact-find and confirm priorities—council tax, energy, rent/mortgage. We help gather details across the board, including other debts.
Day 5–7: We build a realistic budget together using the Debt Calculator, leaving headroom for real-life costs. Where appropriate, we help set up Breathing Space so enforcement pressure reduces while your plan is finalised.
Week 2: We match you with a senior advisor, compare DMP vs IVA vs DRO, and choose the route that fits your goals and eligibility. You get a reference number to give to Equita and other creditors.
Week 3+: Creditors—including Equita—are incorporated where suitable. You make one affordable payment. If your income changes, we review and adjust where the solution allows.
Follow This Path with Our HelpOur aim is simple: protect essentials, cut stress, and move everything into a plan you can sleep on.
Start My Free Equita CheckWhen you’re ready, we’re ready—on your terms and timeline.
Speak to a Specialist