Issues with Equita

Clouds88

Hello, 

My husband has a debt for roughly £2000 originally for a university module he never attended but had to pay for still. 

Anyway, didn’t pay as tried to fight it, ended up with CCJ and sided with Uni and the debt has been with Equita ever since.

started off £25 per month and then dropped down to £10 due to financial situation. One payment was 4 days late and unbeknown to my husband/myself ballifs were instructed as ‘broken arrangement plan’ but they turned up to our old address.

My husband is vulnerable, classed as disabled (mentally) and currently not living in the family home full time he goes between mine, his dads and his good friend due to some personal issues of his I find difficult to live with. He hasn’t yet saved up enough to get himself a bed share so doing that. Equita asked for address and have him listed as homeless, they’ve asked for an annual review and he put outgoings down and stated £10 repayment again and they have said they need bank statements now to verify this or they will start bailiff action again. 

I have found them very difficult to work with and I have debt myself where the creditors accept smaller payments than £10 with no bother. Why are they so nasty? 

I help my husband with this as he’s not good with it all and I feel like well he’s giving you £10 a month what are you going to do if you want more? Send ballifs where? Take what? He’s got no assets no money no car ect

so I’m just wondering what exactly he needs to say back and if he can just continue with the £10 monthly payments. 

fatbelly

If his name is not on any tenancy agreement and he does not own property then he is homeless, having no secure accommodation.

You say he has no assets so bailiffs are an inappropriate way to enforce the debt.

Does he work? What is his source on income?

Clouds88

Yeah that’s right. He’s on PIP and ESA only. Thanks 

fatbelly

The 'broken arrangement' thing was so they could make a visit and claim £235 fee.

I think  i'd now try to get Equita out of the equation. Tell them he is homeless with no assets and only benefit income. Ask them to return the debt to the University. Stop paying.

Ask the University to write it off

Clouds88

@s@sourcrates @f@fatbelly

hey can either of you advise what you would do next please or any suggestions. This is the reply he got. Thanks for your time

fatbelly

There will be no further fees. The only ones they could now add would be in connection with removal of goods, and they won't be doing that.

If you have evidence to send them, you could do that. But it only delays the process.

I'm unclear whether their letter refers to you or the debtor.. It's not your debt so you shouldn't be giving them detsils about you.

Eventually they will return this if you stop engaging with them

Why are they referring to the Local Authority? I thought you said this was a debt to a university?

Clouds88

Thank you. 

I helped my husband reply to them as he wanted to send it from himself so they are talking to him directly. 

I have no idea why they are referring to local authority? Yes it is a university debt.

ManyWays

fatbelly said:

Why are they referring to the Local Authority? I thought you said this was a debt to a university?

Looks like a standard email they send and the majority of their business is probably council tax or LA parking.

sourcrates

ManyWays said:

fatbelly said:

Why are they referring to the Local Authority? I thought you said this was a debt to a university?

Looks like a standard email they send and the majority of their business is probably council tax or LA parking.

Just about to say the same thing, just an automated generic response.

Clouds88

Hey guys, 

I have a question. I received a letter in the post via Royal Mail today for my husband . He gives me permission to open his letters as he doesn’t live here but still gets some mail, and with this case also in the air he wanted me to remain vigilant.

anyway, 
the letter is ‘notice of enforcement’ date issued ‘May 2025’ not even a proper date on it. It says he must pay or agree a payment arrangement with the enforcement agent by tomorrow May 18th. If you do not pay or agree a payment arrangement by the date above an enforcement agent will visit you. 

I am on hold to Equita to report he doesn’t live here but I’m on hold still after 25 minutes. I have just checked the call times actually and it closes at 2pm and isn’t open Sunday at all. Seems like this is a deliberate stich up or maybe I’m just being paranoid. 

I’ve looked into my tenancy and I have a hand signed joint to single tenancy he signed in January but Curo have yet to take him off properly, they are ridiculously slow at doing anything. I have a council tax in my name only and a UC claim with my name only showing he doesn’t live here. Will that be enough if they turn up tomorrow/Monday?

fatbelly

If they turn up, keep them outside and don't open the door. They can't force entry.

Send an email to let them know he doesn't live there and them you have something to complain about if they are a nuisance.