Marston Holdings Avis 

Having receieved a call this morning from my mum letting me know that an enforcement agent visited her house this morning looking for me, I panicked. I wasn't aware I owed anything, things are hard and I don't have 2.5 in cash OR assets, plus it's almost Xmas and I have a little girl. I went straight on the live chat but they refused to speak to me and referred me back to the agent. On my break I rang and left a message for a call back. Whilst waiting for that call, I looked at some reviews to get an idea of what to expect. That was a mistake. I was panicking and stressed and a little scared by the time the agent Mr Hughes called me back after I sent a follow message at 5pm.
Well, that was a surprise. He was very reassuring, he was kind and he took the time to help me figure out a plan even though it was, I suspect, after his working hours and he helped me update my address from my mother's to my own. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I ended the call stress free and reassured in all possible ways. I hope I never, ever have to deal with an enforment officer again, but if I do, I wouldn't mind if it was him!

One star isn’t even worth giving. There should be an option for zero! They ignore correspondence, do no due diligence regarding whether correct address details are being used and hence harass innocent households. They don't go through due process simply finding routes to adding more "admin" fees to debts! I'm very surprised that the Financial Services Ombudsman is not review their fitness to practice!!

One star isn’t even worth giving. There should be an option for zero! Contacted me regarding a parking ticket for a vehicle that isn’t even mine. Woman on the line didn’t even acknowledge the fact that I followed their procedure to prove that to them and proceeded to “force” a payment out of me thinking it would make me pay for an offence that has absolutely nothing to do with me. Rather than acknowledge that and be helpful she proceeded to hang up on me. I await for the next phone call to see how they think that force a payment from me, when this has nothing to do with me.

Received a first letter of correspondence regarding a vehicle penalty, that claimed to be the 5th letter and provided no explanation or evidence as to what kind of offence was supposedly committed or any photos to prove that it was my car. Additionally they never answer the phone line provided (I was on hold for 2 hours) which you can also not input your case number if it starts with an "n". Other numbers provided online are bogus. Absolutely Shameful!!!!

Called me twice in 24 hours over a council tax debt. Neither call picked up on the fact I am disabled and vulnerable. Was told I’ll be called daily for a debt that’s already being paid through another debt collection agency who are very aware of my circumstances as they are fully trained. Marston pressuring me to make a large payment or enforcement will be round. Literal bullies. Making me stressed and feeling unsafe in my own house. The law needs to be changed on these domestic abusers who think they can act as they please.

A joke of a company

These con artists have hounded me for over a year for a debt that is not even mine, but for a man, and I am a woman, for feck's sake.

These scumbags keep sending me letters for the man who was a previous tenant at my flat for a driving fine. I do not even own a car, let alone drive one.

I have sent my details to them twice via email, and on both occasions, they took no action to stop the letters, even though I sent my ID and council tax records to show that I am now the tenant at this address.

I have given up trying to email them, as they will not listen. As always, we can't find your details with these numbnuts. Of course, you can't because it is not my debt, you foolish berks.

As a person with autism, this has caused me to have a mental breakdown, as they keep sending enforcement officers to my door. I do not answer the door to people unless I know who they are.

I'm thinking of taking legal action, as this is now harassment

"Marston Holdings Ltd is not a debt enforcement agency-it is a state sponsored predator tailored in a suit. Behind its polished PR and legal jargon lies a ruthless apparatus of intimidation, fraud, and systemic abuse. this is not about recovering debts, this is about weaponizing authority to extract money from the vulnerable often without legal or moral grounds. Their agents incentivised by by commission and shielded by institutional apathy act with impunity as judge, jury and executioner into one. Over 27000 cases of financial fraudulent misconduct have already been admitted and the number continues to climb. Yet this company marches on, emboldened by a system that rewards silence and punishes resistance, Marston's culture festers a toxic cocktail of arrogance, entitlement and contempt for accountability, legitimate complaints are not met with resolution but with mockery and intimidation. this is not enforcement-it's extortion with a government stamp. This must end, Sign my petition at Change.org as justice has to be seen to be done, and stop this company trampling all over justice and treating victims as a cash cow, as they game and milk the system under their self indulgence and self enrichment greed, Speak out now"

Received phone calls from Marston Holdings which I ignored thinking it was spam. Received a text message about paying my debt that I knew nothing about.
Almost impossible to get hold of an actual person to speak to. Online dispute form didn't work.
Eventually got to speak to someone to be informed that they had the wrong number. Undue stress caused when they could have simply put a name or some kind of identifier in the text message. Also very poor that they send out threatening text messages without confirming details first.

bullying and harassment for council tax debit I do not owe. I have a payment plan with the council.
Phoned them to explain this but not helpful, and not interested in helping anyone.

The case of Helby v Matthews [1895] AC 471 clarifies that a person with a hire purchase agreement is a hirer, not a buyer, until they exercise the option to purchase the goods. This means that until the final payment is made, legal ownership remains with the finance company. This ruling is crucial for determining whether bailiffs can lawfully seize a car on finance.
Can bailiffs seize a car on finance?
No, bailiffs cannot seize a vehicle under a hire purchase or conditional sale agreement to enforce a debt against the person using the vehicle.

Marstons Response:
“It is Marston’s position that where the enforcement agent holds a reasonable belief that the debtor has an interest in a vehicle, the enforcement agent is entitled to take the same into control until such belief is altered (by evidence) as per paragraph 66(8) of Schedule 12 of the 2007 act.

Even where a vehicle is subject to hire purchase, there could reside sufficient equity amounting to a beneficial interest of a Debtor in said vehicle amendable to control. An enforcement agent may take control of goods of the Debtor. Necessarily whilst on the ground he cannot be expected to establish sufficient facts to prove that matter conclusively. It has accordingly been persuasively held that the requisite standard is that of a reasonable belief that the vehicle belonged to the customer.“

A HPI check clearly shows who owned the car. So you are acting illegally to rob £600 in clamping costs to vulnerable people who do not know the law!

Pity you cant give -stars
Paid for parking, using the correct and complicated app only to return to a ticket on the car. Are the people (using this term as Im not allowed to call them by their real names) issuing these tickets on a bonus scheme or some incentive to boost their own wages while attempting to steal from others? pure greed

NSL Lewisham is part of this conglomerate of unadulterated awesomeness... I had my motorcycle stolen. Thieves run on a cycle lane, which then meant I got a ticket. I responded explaining the issue, and referencing the police report number. In response, they came back, saying they understand that 'the vehicle belongs to someone else', and demanding pictures of my motorcycle or they would proceed with the fine.

After reading a lot of very negative reviews I was dreading contacting Marston today, but WOW what a surprise I got a absolutely wonderful sympathetic advisor who gave me superb advice on my situation and helped me set up a repayment plan that would not cripple me financially. I know I have probably got his name wrong but Matias thank you so much, you are a credit to your company. And to people reading this NO I DON'T WORK FOR THEM.

Kara Moore who’s a recruiter highly incompetent rude lacked any form of customer service ability whatsoever.

Avoid this company.

Absolute bellends, harassing my uncle, cause had parking fines. Hes on pip and he suffers with his mental health.
No understanding whatsoever, Abnoxious, rude and dont let you explain. Stand ya ground with them and theu dont like it.

Bullies.

Horrible company who bully and intimidate! This may help you... if, like me you did not receive the original PCN's do not rush to pay. Instead search for TE7 and TE9 forms. Complete the forms and email using the details on the forms. I successfully appealed my fines this way.
Marston Holdings enforcement officer was demanding over £500 or threatening to take my car. I have disabilities and they did not care, instead requesting me sending sensitive medical information via WhatsApp!
Do not bother asking Marston Holdings how to appeal, they will not help.
I wish everyone good luck with appealing their fines!

Update: After successfully appealing my fines and receiving a refund from Marston Holdings, they have since called me twice (on 10th October and 24th October) claiming I still owe the same money. Each time, when I check the reference numbers, it’s clear these are the same fines I already successfully appealed and was refunded for.

I even emailed Marston Holdings on 18th September with a copy of my official letter confirming the successful appeal. Despite this, I keep receiving calls demanding payment. During the first call, I explained the situation and how distressing it was. For it to happen again is completely unacceptable and has caused me significant emotional distress.

When you try to speak to someone, you basically have to pretend you’re going to pay — only then do they answer quickly. Otherwise, it’s impossible to get through to a real person.

This is a warning to others: keep every letter, fine reference, and record of phone calls. Their communication is disorganised, and they clearly don’t update their systems properly.

Marston Holdings blamed the original company for the error, but I pointed out that I had emailed them directly, and this is the second mistaken phone call. There is no excuse for this kind of repeated harassment after a case has been fully resolved.
Edit: since writing the previous review I had been contacted a further couple of times. One phone call and one text message threatening to take my car away. This was incredibly stressful as I did not know if my car would be there in the morning and I have work, school run and a mobility issue, therefore my car is essential. Around 3 months later I received an email asking if they could call and apologise. They did and I have to be fair to marston, they apologised and sent a small compensation amount for the stress endured. My message to anyone going through this is to record everything, have a paper trail and keep hold of letters. Make sure you stand up for yourself. Good luck to anyone struggling with this

Absolutely disgraceful company. The staff are extremely arrogant and show zero understanding of personal circumstances. Instead of listening, they interrupt, talk over you, and even hang up the phone — exactly what happened to me when I tried to explain my situation. Their approach is pure harassment: constant calls, intimidation, and threats that they will enter my home or take my belongings and car. No compassion, no willingness to look at evidence — just bullying tactics.

MARSTONS ARE A SHOWER OF SHIT!

Absolute scum of the earth, this company; Whilst i appreciate they have a job to do, there is NO requirement for rudeness and downright refusal to listen. For the people who work for this disgraceful company...Shame on you! I would rather be on the dole than do your job. I sincerely hope that one day you are on the receiving end of the disgusting brutality and ignorance dealt out by this unethical and disgraceful company.

I would like to leave a review for Hamzah who gave me help and advise at this crucial point in time and I would like to thank him for his good advice

They are thieves and robbers. No one ever owes them money but they bully and intimidate people into parting with it. Take your power back and join the group on Facebook dedicated to standing up to this corruption: Correct the Unlawful Legal System. They use Baron David Wards affidavit and liens to bring these criminals to justice.