Quick answer
How do you respond to Equivo?
First establish whether Equivo is collecting a debt, recovering a financed vehicle or enforcing a High Court writ. Only the formal enforcement route gives an agent taking-control-of-goods powers.
Check the case type
Match the reference, creditor, agreement, judgment and writ.
Use the correct Equivo team
Motor finance and High Court enforcement use different published telephone numbers.
Get the outcome in writing
Do not assume a payment, proposal or complaint has cancelled attendance.
One company, several different services
Which type of Equivo case are you dealing with?
| Document or issue | Likely Equivo service | Immediate response |
|---|---|---|
| Payment reminder or collection letter | Pre-court or regulated debt collection | Request the agreement and balance, dispute errors and propose affordable payment where appropriate. |
| Motor-finance arrears or vehicle-recovery contact | Lender collections, voluntary termination or vehicle repossession | Check the finance agreement, ownership, arrears, termination rights and lender instructions. |
| Notice of Enforcement or writ of control | Formal High Court enforcement | Check the judgment and writ, pay or negotiate promptly and obtain court advice if a stay is required. |
| Possession, eviction or property-recovery notice | High Court property or possession enforcement | Obtain urgent housing or legal advice because an instalment offer may not suspend possession. |
| Letter from Solaris Law | A legal case transferred from an earlier Equivo, Shoosmiths or Chartsbridge workflow | Use the legal reference and contact route stated on the current Solaris correspondence. |
The reference can direct you to the correct team
Equivo case references and published contact routes
Equivo's current contact page gives different instructions according to the case reference and service. A reference beginning with a letter such as A, M, S, J, X or Y may now be handled by Solaris Law.
A seven-digit reference beginning with 5 can relate to motor finance or an enforcement matter. Equivo directs motor-finance customers to 0330 900 3000 and enforcement cases to its London hub on 020 7788 8484.
The original letter remains important. Quote every character of the reference and ask the adviser to confirm the creditor, service type and legal stage before discussing payment.
The legal powers are not the same
Equivo debt collection versus High Court enforcement
Debt collection or arrears management
- Seeks voluntary payment before or outside formal enforcement
- Does not itself permit entry into a home
- Does not allow household goods to be taken
- Can involve an FCA-regulated consumer-credit account
- May lead to court proceedings if unresolved
- Should include an affordable treatment of financial difficulty
High Court enforcement
- Requires a judgment and writ or another High Court order
- Begins with a statutory Notice of Enforcement
- Can permit control and sale of non-exempt debtor-owned goods
- Uses the High Court statutory fee scale
- May require a court stay or set-aside application
- Is carried out under an authorised High Court Enforcement Officer
Vehicle recovery can arise without a writ of control
What if Equivo is contacting you about motor finance?
Equivo provides early and late-stage arrears management, voluntary termination support, field contact and vehicle repossession services for lenders. This is legally different from a bailiff taking a debtor-owned vehicle under a High Court writ.
Check whether the vehicle is owned by the finance company, whether the agreement has been terminated, the arrears figure and whether a court order is required before repossession. The answer depends on the agreement, the amount paid and where the vehicle is located.
Do not hide, damage or dispose of a financed vehicle. Ask the lender and Equivo for the current agreement status, settlement figure, voluntary-termination calculation and recovery authority.
The lender may still own the vehicle
The agreement and consumer-credit protections determine whether and how it can be recovered.
Only debtor-owned goods are available
A vehicle owned by a finance company should not be treated as the debtor's asset under the writ.
Check the statutory calculation
Returning the vehicle does not necessarily remove arrears, excess damage or other sums claimed under the agreement.
Formal writ enforcement
What an Equivo High Court Notice of Enforcement means
Equivo advertises nationwide enforcement of eligible CCJs, tribunal awards, possession orders and foreign judgments through its High Court team. Its CCJ service says enforcement is carried out under the authority of its Principal High Court Enforcement Officer.
A transferred CCJ is commonly enforced by a writ of control. The notice should identify the judgment creditor, court details, amount, interest and compliance fee.
For enforcement beginning from 1 May 2026, the Notice of Enforcement normally gives at least 14 clear days, excluding Sundays and bank holidays. A qualifying debt-advice request can extend an eligible non-business case to 28 clear days.
CollectPortal and official payments
How to pay Equivo or request affordable terms
Equivo's published account options
- Secure online payment portal
- CollectPortal account management
- Document upload and case messaging
- Repayment-plan discussion
- Motor-finance support on 0330 900 3000
- High Court enforcement hub on 020 7788 8484
Before proposing a payment
- Prepare a Standard Financial Statement or accurate budget
- Protect current housing, Council Tax and utilities
- Explain any temporary or long-term vulnerability
- Ask whether client approval is required
- Confirm whether interest and visits are suspended
- Keep every portal confirmation and receipt
Equivo's Customer Charter says it will agree affordable repayments based on individual circumstances, allow fair timeframes and avoid pressuring customers to borrow or sell property to make payment.
That promise is still subject to the authority Equivo has from its client and the legal stage. Do not treat a submitted proposal as an accepted plan until the terms and any enforcement hold are confirmed.
Writ-of-control powers and limits
Can Equivo enter, clamp a car or take belongings?
Residential safeguards
- Keep external doors locked
- Ask for identification and the writ reference
- Do not invite entry unnecessarily
- Show third-party ownership and finance evidence
- Essential household goods are protected
- Qualifying work tools are protected up to £1,350
Risks that need urgent action
- A debtor-owned vehicle parked outside
- Peaceful entry through an unlocked door
- Commercial-premises enforcement
- Goods already listed under legal control
- A broken controlled-goods agreement
- A scheduled possession or removal attendance
Payment negotiations do not replace court action
When might you need a stay or set-aside application?
The original claim was not received or is defensible
Act promptly and obtain the claim and judgment details before preparing the evidence.
Immediate enforcement must be suspended
A judge may stay execution while another application, appeal or payment issue is decided.
The judgment is accepted but unaffordable
A court variation or creditor-approved plan may be relevant depending on the judgment and writ stage.
High Court fees from 1 May 2026
What fees can Equivo add under a writ of control?
| High Court stage | Current fixed fee | What triggers it? |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | £79 | Added when the formal Notice of Enforcement is issued. |
| Enforcement stage 1 | £200 | Begins with attendance. A 7.5% fee also applies to the part of the sum above £1,200. |
| Enforcement stage 2 | £520 | Applies only where the statutory stage-two condition is met, not simply for every repeat visit. |
| Sale or disposal | £550 | Applies where controlled goods progress toward removal and sale. A 7.5% fee applies above £1,200. |
Customer Charter and VulneraTrack
How Equivo says it supports vulnerable customers
Equivo's Customer Charter says it wants customers to disclose mental-health, illness and other vulnerability so the company can respond appropriately and provide access to guidance.
Equivo also describes VulneraTrack as an internal system used to identify and monitor risk indicators. Field interactions can be recorded using body-worn video.
Explain the practical effect of the circumstances and request a specific outcome: a temporary hold, written communication, a named representative, more time, a controlled appointment or an adjusted payment plan.
Different regulators can apply to different Equivo work
How to complain about Equivo
| Complaint stage | Equivo's published timing | Possible later route |
|---|---|---|
| Early resolution | Where possible, by close of business on the third business day | Equivo confirms the resolution or moves the matter into the formal process. |
| Written acknowledgement | Within seven calendar days if not resolved quickly | The complaint is investigated by a competent person not involved in the issue. |
| Progress update | If not resolved within 28 days | Equivo explains progress and the expected resolution date. |
| External complaint | After Equivo's final response | ECB for eligible enforcement conduct, or the relevant FCA/FOS route for regulated financial activity. |
Email complaints@equivo.com or write to the Bracknell office. Quote the case reference, state whether the issue concerns collection, enforcement or vehicle recovery, provide a factual chronology and identify the remedy requested.
A complaint does not automatically stop a writ, visit or vehicle recovery. Request a separate written hold and use the court process where legal suspension is required.
Verified official information
Equivo contact numbers, emails and company details
Use the correct Equivo team for High Court enforcement, motor finance or general account support. Quote the full Equivo, lender or writ reference.
London Enforcement Hub
Use for writ, Notice of Enforcement and High Court case enquiries.
Motor-finance and general support
Use for lender accounts, arrears, voluntary termination and vehicle-recovery enquiries.
Customer email
Use for general written account enquiries and supporting documents.
Enforcement email
Use for High Court documents, court orders and London hub correspondence.
Complaints email
Quote the case type, reference, chronology, evidence and requested remedy.
Main office
The Lightbox
Willoughby Road
Bracknell
RG12 8FB
Use the full case reference on all written correspondence.
Enforcement office
212 Strand
London
WC2R 1AP
This address is associated with Equivo's London enforcement operation.
Equivo Limited
Company number: 12058753
FCA reference: 845356
The FCA reference applies to relevant consumer-credit recovery activity.
Equivo website
Use the official site to verify CollectPortal, payment and contact information.
Accreditation and membership
ECB accredited
CIVEA member
Independent conduct oversight and enforcement-industry membership.
Need help dealing with Equivo?
Request a confidential assessment of the Equivo letter, High Court stage, motor-finance position and your wider debts.
Frequently asked questions
Equivo bailiff and recovery questions
Equivo may be handling High Court enforcement, pre-court debt collection, motor-finance arrears, vehicle recovery or property enforcement. Check the case reference, original creditor and legal document before deciding how to respond.
No. Equivo provides debt collection and motor-finance recovery as well as High Court enforcement. Bailiff powers require a judgment, writ or other lawful authority and the formal Notice of Enforcement process.
Equivo's current contact page directs enforcement cases to its London Enforcement Hub on 020 7788 8484. Motor-finance cases are generally directed to 0330 900 3000.
Yes. Equivo links to a secure online payment portal. Use the exact case reference and keep the confirmation and updated balance.
Equivo's Customer Charter says repayment plans should be affordable and based on individual circumstances, where its client permits. An offer is not accepted until Equivo confirms the terms and effect on enforcement.
A motor-finance recovery case is different from a High Court writ. In a finance case, ownership and the agreement may allow the lender to recover the vehicle. Under a writ, a vehicle owned by a finance company should not be taken as the debtor's goods.
For an ordinary High Court money writ at a residential address, forced entry is not normally permitted on the first visit through a locked door. Commercial premises and lawful re-entry after goods are controlled can be different.
Contact Equivo promptly, explain how the circumstances affect communication, understanding, payment or safety, request a specific adjustment and provide proportionate evidence. Equivo says it uses VulneraTrack and tailored customer support.
Email complaints@equivo.com or write to Equivo Limited, The Lightbox, Willoughby Road, Bracknell, RG12 8FB. Quote the case reference and include the chronology, evidence and remedy sought.
Equivo is ECB accredited. An eligible unresolved enforcement complaint can be referred to the ECB after Equivo's own complaints process, subject to the ECB's time limits.
Official sources checked
Sources used for the Equivo guide
Contact and case-reference routes
Current motor-finance, enforcement, Solaris Law, office and payment details.
EquivoCustomer Charter
Affordable repayments, fair timeframes and support for vulnerable customers.
EquivoComplaints procedure
Complaint address, email, acknowledgement and progress timescales.
EquivoLegal and regulatory notice
Legal entity, company number and FCA authorisation.
EquivoCCJ and High Court enforcement
Writ-of-control service, authorised officer and eligible judgment information.
ECBAccredited firms register
Equivo Limited accreditation and London enforcement address.
CIVEACorporate members list
Bracknell address, telephone, email and membership.
HCEOACurrent High Court fee scale
Compliance, stage-one, stage-two and sale fees from May 2026.
Speak with Bailiff Advice
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