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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To feel up to my neck in it ... Any advice?

199 replies

Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 17:51

I'm not panicking, but I could do with some rational and kind help with some stuff.

I am a lone parent. Am on maternity leave at the moment.

I seem to be in a really difficult position where I have essential stuff that needs paying and as soon as money comes in, it's whisked back out again - on top of that, I've come home today to a letter shoved through my door demanding money for non payment of council tax from 2013 Hmm God knows what's happened there. Obviously, it's an old debt but it's now massive due to bailiff fees.

I suppose I'm wondering firstly what to do about that but also, if anyone else has ever been in a similar position and how you got through it? I know things will be OK in six months time when I'm working and when other stuff is sorted but now it's still all over the place and a bit shit.

OP posts:
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 16/10/2015 17:59

Go to the CAB. They can advise you.

Make notes of all your income (benefits? Mat pay?)
And your spendings. Food. Heat. Water. Car. Phone.

Take the letter with you. And any other letters about the bill. And bank statements if you think you have paid already.

monkeysox · 16/10/2015 17:59

Check your records and see if the debt actually is yours. I once had a demand letter for a utility bill for an address I'd never been to and was told I had the same name as the debtor!

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:01

Thanks. The 'debt' is mine, but it's a tiny amount originally but is now massive due to bailiff fees.

Can the CAB actually help? I only went to see them once and they weren't hugely supportive?

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 16/10/2015 18:03

Yes the CAB can help. Sometimes it's difficult to get to see someone though as the volunteers are overwhelmed. There are other debt management charities who provide similar services though, Money Advice etc.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:06

I know, but it isn't debt like credit cards and so on. In some ways it's worse as they will take my car, other valuable goods. And still expect me to pay. I just don't have it.

OP posts:
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 16/10/2015 18:16

Get in there first and offer to pay. In writing. Whatever you can afford each week or month.

tealady · 16/10/2015 18:17

Stepchange could help you (they have a freephone helpline) www.stepchange.org/

ovaryhill · 16/10/2015 18:18

Cab can try and negotiate an affordable repayment plan, they could also do a benefit check to see if you are getting everything you are entitled to, its not always volunteers you see, there are often paid specialist in debt or benefits etc

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:19

What is stepchange? I don't have a phone at the moment.

They won't accept it whycant

It's the lot, or my stuff.

And it's not even very much without the bailiff fees.

OP posts:
TotalPerspectiveVortex · 16/10/2015 18:21

Stepchange are a free debt charity. Don't worry if you don't have a phone, you can use the online 'debt remedy' tool and use the web chat to speak to an advisor. They're open till 8pm

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:23

Ah, but it's not debt as such. I know what you mean, but it's an (old) council tax debt, which for whatever reason hasn't been passed onto me before. I now apparently have to pay £450. I don't have it. I don't actually have £45.50 but that's another story!

OP posts:
potap123 · 16/10/2015 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nephrofox · 16/10/2015 18:26

Surely if you haven't received it up to now then there is an argument to have the bailiff fees etc removed? That's something CAB could advise on.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:27

I received a letter back in the summer, and did contact the council about it and it wasn't hugely helpful to be honest: they kept saying 'you need to call the bailiff'.

Then I had a baby and genuinely did forget about it.

It is from over two years ago and was a small amount initially - it seems when we moved out, there was a small amount 'left over' but they were 'unable to find me' which makes it sound as if I am a MI5 spy rather than an ordinary person and as such the debt has ballooned out of control.

I suspect I shall have to pay it but at present I just really, genuinely, can't.

OP posts:
potap123 · 16/10/2015 18:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:29

I'll contact the CAB Monday. I hope they can help. Hmm

OP posts:
TotalPerspectiveVortex · 16/10/2015 18:29

Stepchange will still be able to help. They will be able to advise you on how to deal with the bailiffs, they will be able to check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to and also help you budget & prioritise your outgoings too!

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 18:31

I have looked at the home page but I don't think it's 'that' type of charity, Total - it's for credit card and loan type debt, not council tax. All it says about council tax is that it's a priority debt and needs to be paid, which I agree with and have, but clearly missed a bit!

OP posts:
PurpleHairAndPearls · 16/10/2015 18:39

What is the correspondence you have received? Is it just a bill, a court date, or has it already gone to court?

If the original liability is yours, and you've ignored previous correspondence, you may well be liable for costs on top of the original bill unfortunately.

If you are struggling financially CAB may be able to help but they are so overwhelmed. Money Saving Expert forums are brutal Smile but helpful, if you post a statement of affairs in there you will get some good advice, or in the money section in here? It's hard to advise without more details, but as you know it boils down to you either need to cut your outgoings or increase your incomings - would it be possible to return to work earlier than you had planned? Do you get any maintenance?

ProfYaffle · 16/10/2015 18:56

As far as the CAB are concerned debt is debt, they help with all kinds, even if it's been to court. They can help you to establish if the liability for the debt genuinely lies with you and if it does, they can negotiate a repayment plan on your behalf.

Start by giving them a call and see how you go.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 19:01

It's a final demand, hand delivered.

I think it's already gone to court and so on, but was unaware of this as this was during the point where they 'couldn't find me.'

Will try CAB Monday. Thanks.

OP posts:
strawberryblondebint · 16/10/2015 19:04

Ok I work for a council. If you are on benefit we can apply to have the debt deducted straight from your benefit at £3.70 a week. If not try calling the council , explaining your situation and ask if you can repay the debt to them in small amounts. If possible they could be able to bring the debt back to them. If not then phone the debt company and agree a nominal amount. I would suggest £15 per month for 6 months and review when you are back to work. Don't ignore the letters. But make an arrangement as small as you can and stick to it. Good luck and don't worry

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 19:05

I'm not on benefits but thanks.

Council said any payments need to go to bailiff - that was when I spoke to them in June (I think it was June.)

I guess I'm mainly wondering what happens with council tax debt if you can't pay the bailiffs - I guess they will take the car or something?

OP posts:
prettywhiteguitar · 16/10/2015 19:33

Unfortunately I was in this position, if you don't pay them they will come round and can arrest you. I know this because I honoured half the debt but still owed £250 a fortnight went by and I hadn't paid it and I got a phone call on holiday from home saying that someone had turned up and they were here to arrest me. Luckily I had the money to pay.

Honestly you need to talk to the baliff, this won't go away and there is nothing that the council will do cause it's got this far. If you were still pregnant you would be vulnerable and could then deal with the council but you need to call the baliff on the mobile number given.

I was given all sorts of advice but really it comes down to the fact you just have to legally pay it above all other responsibilities. I called my baliff bricking it but he was nice and actually helped, I hope yours is too.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 19:34

I know, but I just don't have it, and what can you do, if you don't? They aren't reasonable, are they ... I don't even have a phone at the moment!

OP posts: