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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:
prettywhiteguitar · 16/10/2015 19:35

They will come and take goods to the value in that case. Can you write to the office ?

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 19:36

I don't think so, there's a rant on the letter that I am not to contact the office but the bailiff directly.

It says online they can't take anything as I haven't let them in, although God knows whether that's true or not.

OP posts:
prettywhiteguitar · 16/10/2015 19:38

Yes that's right you need to talk to them though otherwise they will just come back and then the next visit after that will be very serious. Can you use anyone's phone to talk to the bailiff ?

prettywhiteguitar · 16/10/2015 19:40

If you don't let them in they can't take anything but equally you don't have any money to give them. I read all the advice tried every which way to get out of paying it, literally weeks negotiating with council, bailiffs office and bailiff. Just had to pau it in the end with my maternity pay

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 20:31

I just don't have it at the moment.

OP posts:
PurpleHairAndPearls · 16/10/2015 20:35

I am a bit confused now. From TIO I have just realised I was on a thread with you within the last week where you said you were still with your DH.

Are you now a lone parent? Is this large bill that you can't pay solely your responsibility?

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 20:36

I am now a lone parent.

What's TIO?

OP posts:
greenfolder · 16/10/2015 21:15

Do not park your car near your property or transfer it to parents name.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 21:21

Thanks. So they can take it, if they see it?

OP posts:
greenfolder · 16/10/2015 21:31

They will run a dvla
Check on any car that is nearby or on your property. But they can only run likely numbers through the dvla. They can't do a speculative search on Jane blogs of 27 any road. I would keep the car away from the property. If it is in your name they can and likely will seize it.

WipsGlitter · 16/10/2015 21:36

Tio threads I'm on in mumsnet

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 21:37

Oh, I see, thanks!

Thanks, greenfolder. Just wait and see what happens.

OP posts:
ohtheholidays · 16/10/2015 21:45

As others have said the CAB,I was in the same position as you are OP and I know how awful it can leave you feeling,I was on my own with 4DC my youngest was a newborn at the time.

Don't reply or make any offers of a repayment plan untill you've been and seen the CAB,make sure to take everything with you(that you need help with)have written down ingoings and outgoings,recent bank statements and letters of overdue bills,demands from companies,the courts ect,I found it handy to right down some questions for me that were important and to take that with me,incase I forgot something important when I got there.

The best thing to do is ring them up monday morning to book an appointment as they can get quite busy and it beats sitting down there for along time waiting to be seen.If you'll struggle to get there you can ask for an appointment to be held over the phone,they ring you so it doesn't cost you a fotune in phone bills.

This is they're site
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 22:04

Thanks, will try to speak to them Monday.

OP posts:
greenfolder · 16/10/2015 22:07

Is it a council tax bill in both you and exes name? You are probably jointly liable and they can come to you for all of it. BUT if he is a better prospect for recovery, you might point them in his direction at a point.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 22:33

It's complicated just now, Thankyou. :)

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 16/10/2015 22:36

have you ignored letters and court summonses? Please don't - you go to court and agree to pay £10 a month - it's simple

Talk to the balifs, talk to council tax and talk to the CAB - make sure you are claiming what you are entitled to as well x

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 22:37

No. I got one letter which I rang the council about. They just say you need to ring the bailiffs.

It is simple if you have £450, which I don't unfortunately. I guess they'll just have to send me to jail.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 16/10/2015 22:38

shit how unhelpful was that ^ now I've properly read your posts!

ignore the first bit! good luck x

pinkandstripey · 16/10/2015 22:43

You must contact the bailiff asap, they will come round and make a list of stuff (I think it's called walking possesion) and then you negotiate a payment plan with them directly. I wouldn't wait til Monday tbh, don't let the think you're ignoring them.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 22:46

I can't risk it pink, if they demand payment, I haven't got it.

OP posts:
lorelei9 · 16/10/2015 22:59

Leaving, it will be far better to ring the bailiff and say you haven't got it, then negotiations can start more calmly than if they just turn up.

I'm sorry, this is horrifically stressful but that's actually more of a reason to take the initiative, it's better for you to do it than them.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:01

They don't listen. They just say they will come and take your stuff.

To my surprise, I don't feel stressed, just pissed off x

OP posts:
greenfolder · 16/10/2015 23:11

What stuff have you got though? They will only in reality seize goods if they have an actual resale value. If you have actually got stuff that is worth it, could you sell or pawn it yourself? From friends experiences they won't take your sofa or old tv, or clothes or baby stuff.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:12

Car
Piano
iPad
Laptop

OP posts: