Marston Group, or Marston Holdings Limited, is one of the largest debt collection firms in the UK. The organisation collects outstanding debt on behalf of central government, local government and businesses. Marston Group Bailiffs buy debts from government agencies and private companies. They pay less than the full value of the debt (sometimes as little as 20%) and in return, they become the owners of the debt and take action to ensure you pay.
Marston Group, or Marston Holdings Limited, is one of the largest debt collection firms in the UK. The organisation collects outstanding debt on behalf of central government, local government and businesses. This can include council tax, rent arrears, or overdue bills to private companies.
Marston Group Bailiffs buy debts from government agencies and private companies. They pay less than the full value of the debt (sometimes as little as 20%) and in return, they become the owners of the debt and take action to ensure you pay.
If Marston Group Bailiffs have contacted you, it is probably because they have bought a debt you owe to a third party. They are very firm and proactive about collecting debts so it’s best to know your options and have a plan of action before you speak to them. Fees for processing the debt can increase rapidly, so it can be helpful to act quickly.
If you think there has been an error, it’s often useful to contact the company Marston says the debt originated from (for example, your local council for council tax) and verify all the details. The next step would be to write a letter formally disputing the debt.
If you do owe Marston Bailiffs money, there’s a good chance you have several options available to you. Your first option is simply to repay the debt if you can afford to do so. You may be able to arrange a repayment plan for some or all of the debt.
If you can’t afford to pay, or doing so would cause you financial hardship, there are other options including a Trust Deed, Independent Voluntary Agreement (IVA), or bankruptcy. If you live in Scotland, sequestration is basically the Scottish equivalent of bankruptcy. All of these options affect your total debt, not just the one Marston Bailiffs have contacted you about.
Trust Deeds and IVAs are similar, in that they are an agreement between you and your creditors to pay back what you can, over an agreed period of time (four to six years.) You need an insolvency practitioner to create the agreement, and they should also deal with debt collectors and creditors for you. Trust Deeds are available in Scotland and IVAs in England and Wales.
For an IVA, you need to owe money to at least two creditors, and they must agree to the IVA being put in place. For a Trust Deed, your total unpaid debts must be at least £5,000.
Having an IVA or Trust Deed is a type of insolvency. It shows on your credit record for six years and can make it difficult to get credit in the future. On the other hand, any debt remaining after the period of the IVA is written off.
Bankruptcy, or sequestration in Scotland, is a very serious decision. You can declare yourself bankrupt, or your creditors can apply to have you declared bankrupt. They will usually only do this if you owe a large amount of money, and often prefer not to do so at all because they have to pay a fee upfront and usually end up unable to reclaim the full amount of the debt.
One major difference between bankruptcy/sequestration and other forms of debt management is that if you declare bankruptcy you may be asked to sell possessions, including your home and car, to contribute to repaying your debt. Bankruptcy also affects your savings and in some cases even your pension or immigration status.
This is in addition to all the other concerns created by insolvency, such as its negative effect on your credit rating. For this reason, it’s essential to fully explore your options and be sure that bankruptcy (or sequestration) is the right choice for you.
Debt and insolvency are complicated issues, and while dealing with a letter, phone call, or even visit from a bailiff can be stressful or intimidating, there are usually lots of actions you can take to get back in control of the situation. The most important thing is to know your options and take action early.
Debt Buffer can help inform you about the options available to you. Take some time to look around the site, find the course of action that is correct for you, and if you wish, you can use our AI chatbot to get further guidance. We also help you write letters to creditors that can ensure you’re treated fairly and negotiate more time for you to pay.
