Equita are so unprofessional and un-coperative. I wrote them an extensive letter asking for a further breakdown of their charges, dates, times bailiff details etc. I also asked them for warrants and a copy of an email they claim I sent them (never did, would't do anything via email) as the last letter was a bunch of numbers and made up labels e.g. levy fee when they have never been able to do a levy. They sent me a letter back saying: 'there have been numerous visits made by our external team in the attempted collection of the debt. On each occasion where no contact has been established a letter would have been left' Ohhhh so thats ok then.. no dates, copies of letters, reasons for crazy fees so I just pay up the £600 now yeah? The only other line in the letter gave me the name of one bailiff - who they claim attended my property 6 times. Getting increasingly tired of being fobbed off. They are obliged to provide the information and be open and transparent are they not... Bottom of the letter contained another 'threat' saying I will incur extra fees (how, when the debt is paid and warrant dead). I asked them in the last letter to put a stop to these threats Guess my letter went in the bin.

Hi there Equita did send different letters (that said hand delivered but were posted ???) for each pcn but the council are telling me they have made 6 visits to my property... erm ok. Equita have sent me a letter with a breakdown of fees and it doesn't match what the council say - they have slotted in a levy fee - bit odd as its pretty difficult to levy on an empty property. Sent more letters back to them and the council and trading standards.

was dealt with by head of parking services - he can't be too bothered as hes told me I can go to LGO... I'm going to forward to whole lot to the CEO, MP and LGO for what good that will do.

Well I paid the pcn online and have now got confirmation (screenshot) that the debt is no longer outstanding. However the council replied to my level 2 complaint today to say the debt is still with equita and I must pay them £413.44 - the debt was £112. I've already written to Equita asking for a full breakdown and told them they cannot now use the warrant as the debt is paid. Why oh why are the council determined to fill Equitas pockets - I just dont get it. I mean where do Equita stop - what is reasonable? Can they keep adding 'removal' charges? Its absolutely crazy. The debt could run into thousands. I'm sure that because statute provides for some sort of removal charge the bailiff thinks they MUST add it on all occasions when I think personally that the law should be interpreted as such that if they bailiff attends with a REAL intention of removing goods they can charge for their time and effort. In this and another situation where I have been charged this fee I'm sure there was absolutely no intention of removing anything, in fact I'm thinking the bailiff came in the same van etc as he had done on 'first visit' and only charged me the much smaller fee. Is there any case law out there that I can look at? Going through the complaints process has been pretty pointless to date as I'm just getting fobbed off.

Yeah but getting Marstons to actually give me any worthwhile information is becoming impossible. Just read over my last letter to compose a new one and they havent really answered any of my questions (surprise!). They didn't give me a seizure notice and as i said before mentioned levy charges when the council said they were 1st and 2nd visit charges... How can they do a 2nd visit charge and a removal charge on the same day? I'm guessing they came in the same van on both visits so not sure how they can justify it... Its disgusting that some of these companies are given carte blanche by councils to extort money from the poorest people...

checked the online register although i appreciate it may not be 'live' so will ring the court in the morning.

I wonder if anyone has any advice for me. I'm at a stage 2 complaint with Marstons as I disagree with the fees for a PCN. I will try to keep it short: they called at my home at 2.30 and posted a removal notice when I was not in. Amount due - £129.04 - PCN or debt to council is £82.00 They arrived around 6am the next morning and clamped my car, posted a Final Notice and then knocked on the door (in that order, I was getting ready for work but was frightened to disturb them so just looking out of the window) They demanded £379.76 at this point which I had to pay as I had to be in London for work within a few hours I complained to them and the council (who defended their actions - on a stage 2 complaint with them at the moment) and they sent me this breakdown: 11.20 Letter 61.94 levy 175.00 attendance to remove 49.63 vat 1.00 debit card charge Strangely the council sent me a breakdown of same said fees like this (and I have written proof of course): 11.20 letter - 13.44 with vat 33.60 first visit charge - 28.00 with vat 40.73 second visit charge - 33.94 with vat 210.00 attendance to remove fee - 175 with vat Now its slightly worrying that Marstons and the council have provided me with different numbers altogether. Also the bailiff does not appear in the register - i used the justice.gov site Marstons wrote to me again recently to say the the attendance to remove fee is not a statutory fee but a 'charge' and not regulated. I am considering entering a claim into the small claims court as I've simply had enough with waiting around for a straight answer. Is there any way the bailiff may not be on the national register?

Oh yes I have a car and its worth a lot more than the value of the tickets - not so much of an issue as I'm in London atm but planning to come back up over the Xmas holidays to do some decorating etc. Don't want to get clamped - I think somethings going on with my neighbours (they are very very nosey) as I popped up for one night a couple of weeks ago and Marstons were at my door at 6.30am. Wouldn't surprise me if the neighbours tipped them off tbh. Don't want the same thing happening again with Equita - just want to pay the council and get it out of the way. Don't mind paying fees as such but not £600 -havent got it anyway.

Hi I have 2 outstanding now. Both with equita. The council provided a breakdown as I havent been in touch with equita at all. Here you go: (both are identical) debt 112.00 letter 11.20 1st visit 35.00 2nd visit 45.00 attendance/enforcement charge 160.00 vat 50.24 total is 413.44 x 2 im not convinced they have visited me 4 or 6 times - i havent been living in the property for nearly 18 months anyway. Its my fault I didnt pay on the original tickets but seems pretty wrong to penalise me with £600 odd worth of fees for a couple of letters.

Has anyone had experience of paying the Council directly for PCN charges and having the payment returned? Will they really do that? They are saying they will... I'm in the middle of the complaint process with the council but they are flatly refusing to take back the debt from Equita meaning there are about £600 of charges alone - although I've not seen a bailiff at my address - they claim to have been round a number of times. Does the council have a vested interest in passing the debt on - I'm saying I will pay, but not £600 in costs when I can't see what the costs are for. Can I get the court involved prior to paying the bailiffs? I don't trust Equita after what I've read - they will try and trick me and I will end up paying even more. Feel like I'm being oppressed by these people - all for a couple of parking tickets its crazy!!

thanks for that already sent that to marstons.... ive read that if you settle the debt with the debtor the bailiff can't use the warrant to recover his own fees? Is this correct?

Hi guys. I've done some swotting up all over the web but just wondered if anyone could help with something I can't seem to find an answer for. Got 3 outstanding pcns from 2 years ago. I've just moved back to my home address after working away and I'm trying to sort out my finances. I contacted the council last month with a £100 cheque and a query about what was outstanding. They cashed the cheque and then wrote back to me saying I had to contact Equita/Marstons re the other tickets - and gave me a breakdown of amounts. Marstons - 95 Equita 413!!!! that was only a couple of weeks ago, payday is due again and I thought OK I will try and pay the council directly with another £100. Too late.. . Marstons turned up at my house and posted a note (2pm) while I was at work. Didnt get home til late that night and thought OK I will ring them in the am. Too late again... . I heard noises outside at 6.30am while I was getting ready for work and saw they were clamping my car. Then knocked on my door and I said, why did you clamp it - why not just knock - the lights are on? He replied - its health and safety!!! they extorted nearly £400 from me to remove the clamp - I had to get to London quickly so had no choice but to pay. I've complained to the council and intend to go through the small claims track to get my money back. I've asked the council to return the other debt from Equita which I don't think they will do. Question is, what do I do when Equita turn up? Can I challenge the fees prior to paying them? I am going to have to hide the car for now which is a massive pain as there is nowhere nearby to hide it - but I'm stressing at 6am every morning waiting for them to knock. I guess I could transfer ownership of my car but that could create some other issues I guess like insurance.. I had no problem paying what I owe but theres no way I am lining Equitas pockets. Can anyone offer any help?