Rapid Nationwide Enforcement for Commercial Landlords and Agents
If a tenant is in arrears, you need a recovery solution that is both immediate and legally watertight. Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) is a powerful statutory procedure under Section 72 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. It allows commercial landlords to recover rent by taking control of a tenant’s goods without the delays or costs of a court order.
At Equivo, we provide a high authority CRAR service that ensures full compliance with Schedule 12 (Taking Control of Goods). We process instructions within hours, issuing the mandatory Notice of Enforcement same day to secure your assets quickly and protect your property’s yield.
For a deeper look at the legislation and landlord rights, see our comprehensive guide to understanding CRAR.
What is Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR)?
Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery, also known as CRAR, is the specific legal mechanism used to recover pure rent arrears from commercial tenants. By triggering the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, landlords can bypass the traditional court system. This process is restricted to purely commercial premises and applies only to principal rent, VAT and interest.
Unlike standard debt collection, CRAR is an enforcement power. Our Certificated Enforcement Agents have the legal authority to enter premises and inventory goods, providing a high pressure incentive for tenants to settle their debts immediately.
Not sure if your lease meets these requirements? Our CRAR guide covers eligibility nuances in more detail
Expert Guidance for Commercial Rent Recovery Challenges
At Equivo, we go beyond simple enforcement. We act as your compliance partner, ensuring every action taken under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 is lawful, ethical, and protective of your brand’s reputation. Our Certificated Enforcement Agents specialize in maintaining the delicate balance between firm recovery and preserving valuable tenant relationships.
FCA-Regulated & TCE Act Compliant: Our processes are audited regularly to meet the highest standards of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
Mixed-Use & Residential Screening: We proactively screen for “mixed-use” complexities. If a lease includes a dwelling, we mitigate your risk by transitioning the case to a Writ of Control, as CRAR is legally unavailable in these scenarios.
Recovering Beyond Principal Rent: While CRAR is limited to principal rent, VAT and interest, our team provides tailored support for recovering Service Charges and Insurance Premiums via County Court Judgments and High Court enforcement.
Real-Time Reporting & BWV: Gain 100% transparency with real-time status updates and Body Worn Video (BWV) evidence for every site attendance, ensuring an audited trail of all enforcement actions.
National Reach, Local Expertise: Our nationwide team of trained agents provides rapid attendance across all commercial property types, from retail units to industrial portfolios.
Fast Commercial Rent Recovery – How It Works
Equivo manages the end to end CRAR process with absolute precision, ensuring every action follows the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014. Below is the process we undertake to manage the Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery process.
1.
Compliance Stage (Notice of Enforcement)
Immediately upon instruction, we issue the statutory Notice of Enforcement. This grants the tenant 7 clear days (excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays) to settle the arrears in full. This stage often secures payment without the need for a physical site visit, reducing costs for all parties.
2.
Taking Control of Goods (The Enforcement Visit)
If the debt remains unpaid after the 7 day notice expires, our Certificated Enforcement Agents attend the premises. We aim to secure payment in full or enter into a Controlled Goods Agreement (CGA). A CGA legally binds the tenant’s assets as security while allowing them to continue trading under a strict repayment schedule.
3.
Removal and Sale (Public Auction)
In cases where a CGA is breached or payment is refused, we move to the removal of goods. Following a further 7 day notice of sale, assets are sold at public auction. Equivo ensures all removals are proportional to the debt and handled with the highest level of professional conduct to maximise resale value.
Rapid Nationwide CRAR Enforcement
Equivo provides comprehensive 24 hour CRAR enforcement across the whole of England and Wales. While we operate as a national firm, our network of Certificated Enforcement Agents is strategically distributed throughout the country. This allows us to attend any commercial premises with the rapid response times of a local provider, backed by the infrastructure of a national leader.
Strategically Located Agents: Our agents are positioned to provide immediate coverage in every major commercial hub, from London and the South East to the industrial sectors of the Midlands and the North.
24 Hour Deployment: We process instructions within hours, ensuring that as soon as the statutory 7 day notice period expires, an agent is deployed for immediate site attendance.
Regional Expertise: Our team possesses deep knowledge of local property landscapes in cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol, ensuring enforcement is handled with professional precision and local insight.
Seamless National Portfolios: For landlords and agents with nationwide portfolios, we provide a single high authority point of contact for all recovery actions, regardless of the property’s location.
CRAR Eligibility & Legal Requirements
To ensure a lawful recovery under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, the following statutory criteria must be met. This clear framework allows Equivo to act with speed while maintaining 100% legal compliance.
The 7 Day Arrears Threshold: The tenant must be at least 7 clear days in arrears of the net rent before a Notice of Enforcement can be issued.
Exempt Goods: Only goods belonging to the tenant located at the demised premises can be seized. Tools of the trade are exempt up to a value of £1,350.
Written Lease Requirement: CRAR can only be exercised where there is a written commercial lease. It does not apply to licences to occupy or tenancies at will.
Authorised Entry: Our agents are authorised to enter premises between 06:00 and 21:00 or during normal business hours.
Not sure if your lease meets these requirements?
Our CRAR guide covers eligibility nuances in more detail.
Why Choose Equivo for CRAR
Working with Equivo ensures your arrears recovery is efficient, compliant, and aligned with your commercial interests.
98%
Debt Recovered in Full
95%
Writs Enforced on First Visit
92%
Payments Secured within 30 Days
97%
Client Satisfaction Rate
Our approach balances firm enforcement with a professional and ethical style that helps protect long-term landlord–tenant relationships.
FAQs on the CRAR Process
What can be recovered under CRAR?
Under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, CRAR only applies to the recovery of principal rent, VAT, and interest. It cannot be used to recover service charges, insurance premiums, or business rates. For these additional sums, we recommend enforcement via a High Court Writ of Control.
When is a landlord eligible to use CRAR?
Landlords can use CRAR if there is a written commercial lease in place and the tenant is at least 7 clear days in arrears of the net rent. The process is only applicable to purely commercial premises; it cannot be used for residential or mixed-use properties where a dwelling is part of the lease.
What goods can be seized under CRAR?
Only goods owned by the tenant can be seized. Statutory exemptions include “tools of the trade” used by the tenant personally for their profession, up to a total value of £1,350. Goods belonging to third parties or sub-tenants are strictly excluded from seizure.
How much does the CRAR service cost the landlord?
The majority of CRAR costs are statutory and are legally charged to the tenant under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014. Landlords are typically only responsible for a small compliance fee (e.g. £75 + VAT), which is often refundable upon successful recovery from the tenant.
Can CRAR be used if the tenant has already vacated the property?
No. CRAR is only a valid enforcement option while the tenant remains in occupation and has goods on the demised premises. If a tenant has left, Equivo can assist in obtaining a County Court Judgment (CCJ) to be enforced at the tenant’s new trading address or home.
How quickly can you attend my property for CRAR?
We provide nationwide coverage with local response times. Once the 7-day compliance period expires, our distributed network of agents can attend commercial premises across England and Wales within 24 hours to secure your rent.
Choose Equivo to Recover Commercial Rent Arrears Today
Fast CRAR Instructions with Nationwide Attendance
Award Winning Service
Fast Enforcement
Fully Compliant
Proven Results