If a debt collector contacts you about an unpaid debt seemingly out of the blue, it can be unsettling, especially if you’ve never heard of them before and you’re experiencing financial difficulties.
That’s why we’ve created this creditor directory with dedicated pages for some of the main debt collection agencies in the UK. It’s designed to help you recognise who has contacted you about your debt and, perhaps more importantly, why they have gotten in touch with you.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about a company called Marston Recovery. It will provide some information about who they are, how to contact them, and what can happen if you ignore their attempts at reaching out to you.
Who is Marston Recovery?
Marston Recovery (also known as Marston Holdings Limited, Marston Bailiffs, and Marston High Court Enforcement) is a debt recovery company owned by the larger Marston Group. As one of the largest judicial services businesses in the country and one of the leading enforcement agencies used by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), they work with over 500 clients and are regulated by the Ministry of Justice.
Originally formed in 1937, the firm was incorporated as Marston Holdings in 2001. Today, it employs between 5,000 and 10,000 people across various locations throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
It’s important to note that Marston Recovery is classed as an enforcement company, not a collection company. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. For example, enforcement agents have more legal powers than debt collectors and can use reasonable force to enter a home and seize goods, while debt collectors can only ask for payment of the debt.
Which debts does Marston collect?
Marston collects outstanding debts on behalf of hundreds of companies, including local authorities and central government.
Some of the types of debt they might collect include unpaid council tax, parking fines, catalogues, credit cards, penalty notices, utility arrears, benefits overpayments, rent arrears, employment tribunal awards, child maintenance arrears, tax debts, and business rates.
They also deal with the recovery of County Court Judgments (CCJs), which means they can work with any creditor or local council that has won their case in court. CCJs are court orders that instruct you to repay your debt in full or in instalments.
Is Marston a legitimate debt recovery company?
Yes, Marston is a legitimate debt recovery company.
They are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is the main regulatory body that oversees 45,000 financial service companies in the UK. Its key role is to protect consumers from poor practice, maintain market integrity, and promote healthy competition.
Marston is a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA), which is the trade association for the debt collection and credit services industry. As a member of the CSA, they must adhere to strict guidelines when recovering unpaid debts.
They hold accreditations and memberships for several other organisations, such as Investors in People, City and Guilds, the British Parking Association, and the Civil Enforcement Association. They have also received numerous awards, including the ‘Excellence in Treating Customers Fairly’, ‘Best Vulnerable Customer Strategy’, and ‘Diversity and Inclusion Award 2021’.
How do I contact Marston Holdings?
Marston can be contacted in a number of ways. We’ve provided their full contact details below, including the address of their registered office and their phone number for customer queries:
Registered office:
Rutland House
8th Floor
148 Edmund Street
Birmingham
B3 2JR
Trading address:
1 America Square
17 Crosswall
London
EC3N 2LB
Phone:
0333 320 1822
Email:
Why am I being contacted by Marston enforcement agents?
If Marston has sent you a letter, it means one of their clients (your original creditor) has passed your debt onto a recovery company to collect payment on their behalf. Usually, creditors do this when they’re still interested in recovering an unpaid debt, but they have been unsuccessful in collecting payment themselves.
They mainly work with local councils and central government departments, so if you know you owe this type of debt, this is likely to be the reason why they are getting in touch with you. They should, however, clearly outline the debt they are trying to collect when they first contact you.
It’s important to cooperate with Marston when they contact you, even if you don’t think you should pay. Failure to respond will mean the compliance stage will end and the enforcement process will begin. From this point, enforcement agents can visit your home after seven days.
What should I do if Marston Holdings contact me?
If you’ve been contacted by Marston, it’s important to respond appropriately. We’ve outlined the various steps you should follow below:
Ask for proof of the debt
The one thing you should do before anything else is to ask for proof of the debt you’re being asked to pay. They should be able to disclose details of the debt, including your original creditor, a statement of the money owed, and any interest or fees that have been added.
If you’re confident you have already dealt with the debt that you’re being asked to repay, or you believe the debt is statute barred, you must send proof of this.
Pay the debt in full
The most effective way to deal with a debt recovery company is to repay the debt in full. However, while this will succeed in putting a stop to all enforcement action, we know this isn’t an option for everyone.
If you’re in a position to settle your debt upfront, you can pay online via their website, by sending a cheque or bank transfer, or over the phone during opening hours.
Arrange a payment plan
The most common way to deal with debt recovery companies is to arrange a payment plan where you gradually chip away at your debt over a prolonged period.
By choosing this option, you can repay what you owe at a more manageable pace and avoid further action, giving you more control over your debt.
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Can Marston take legal action against me if I owe money?
Yes, Marston can take legal action against you if you owe them money and continually ignore their attempts at getting in contact with you.
Here are some of the consequences of ignoring a debt recovery company:
Bailiffs can visit your property
The first thing enforcement agents will do is visit your property to discuss payment options. If they are unable to recover full payment or negotiate a repayment plan on their first visit, they can return at a later date and take further legal action against you.
If the debt is related to a High Court judgment, Marston will send High Court enforcement officers to collect the debt. Remember, you don’t have to let an enforcement agent into your home if you don’t want to, and you can talk to them through an open window or letterbox if you prefer. They also can’t force entry unless they are there to collect certain debts, such as unpaid criminal fines, or they have a court warrant.
Your goods can be seized
If you can’t afford to pay an enforcement agent when they visit you or you break a controlled goods agreement, your goods can be seized and sold at auction to recover full payment of the debt.
However, there are certain items they are not allowed to take. These are called exempt goods and include anything that belongs to anyone else and anything you need to maintain a basic level of domestic life (e.g. white goods, perishable items, items needed for work or education up to a value of £1,350).
You can be issued with a court order
If you choose to continually ignore an enforcement agent, they can serve you with a court order to enforce payment through the court. In most cases, this will be in the form of a CCJ, which will stay on your credit file for six years.
While not a criminal offence, it’s not recommended to ignore a CCJ. It can lead to further legal action, which can cause more harm to your already damaged financial situation.
Where can I get further advice about debt recovery companies like Marston?
Dealing with unaffordable debt can be overwhelming enough without getting constant letters or phone calls from a debt recovery company on top of everything. However, while it can be easy to panic and fear the worst, there’s no need to worry.
At UK Debt Expert, our friendly team are experts in the debt recovery process and can provide impartial advice and support about the debt recovery process. We can also advise on a range of debt solutions that you might be eligible for to help you deal with your debt in a way that works for you.
Remember, Marston can take legal action over your refusal to deal with an unpaid debt, but they are not the police. They should be understanding of your circumstances and accommodating to a payment plan you propose.