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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:
TheSilveryPussycat · 16/10/2015 23:16

The CAB will advise you how to deal with the bailiff, including your rights re letting them in. The CAB may even, with your authority, talk to the bailiff for you. The CAB will need your income and expenditure details in order to know what kind of a realistic payment plan you can offer.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:17

Thankyou

OP posts:
Want2bSupermum · 16/10/2015 23:18

Please talk to the CAB first. It doesn't sound right that the council told you to speak to the bailiff. I wouldn't be calling them either.

I'm sure the CAB have dealt with the council before and will have a contact who is willing to be helpful. Worst case they can advise you on how to manage the bailiffs.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:19

I'll try to speak to them on Monday, thanks.

OP posts:
Pobspits · 16/10/2015 23:27

You need to try and help yourself here, it seems like you're sticking your head in the sand and as tempting as that is it won't solve anything.

Could you see the iPad?

Pobspits · 16/10/2015 23:27

Sell not see!!

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:29

I guess so. It wouldn't be £450 though. And it's pay monthly. And it's got my LIFE on it Sad

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 16/10/2015 23:34

When I was a CAB advisor (which admittedly was in the 1990s) the council could be quite reasonable before the bailiffs become involved, but after that the only option was to deal with the bailiffs, not the council.

I seem to remember part of the advice was do not let them in! but you need up-to-date advice and not stuff that comes from my memory. CAB advice comes from their excellent information system (no matter how experienced, we always had to consult this).

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:35

Thanks silvery

I don't care any more but whatever I do they keep coming back.

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 16/10/2015 23:37

Don't sell anything until you've got advice. It used to be that they couldn't seize the tools of employment - and who knows what counts as that in these electronic days.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:39

You have been very helpful, and kind - thanks so much xx

OP posts:
lorelei9 · 16/10/2015 23:42

If your iPad is pay monthly then it sounds like it might not be yours to sell

Could you raise a loan against one of the other things, the piano most likely.
I'm sorry but it does seem you are burying your head in the sand.
I've dealt with this for a friend who was an alcoholic and couldn't cope herself. ( she didn't tell me pre bailiff so I couldn't help before) it wasn't a council tax debt but I imagine the process is similar, we made an agreed payment plan with the bailiff after they assessed what she had.

In your case you'd also have time to contest it all while paying a small amount each month.

I take it you can't borrow from friends or family, even a smaller amount to hand over now?

Are you in touch with your local MP at all, maybe they can help.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:45

I'm not an alcoholic Shock the amount owed is old, I only found out about it a few months ago and it had already gone to bailiffs.

No I can't borrow anything, local MP won't help I wouldn't have thought.

OP posts:
lorelei9 · 16/10/2015 23:50

Leaving, I didn't think you were! I just thought I'd explain that bit so you knew why I was involved in the negotiation bit, that's all.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 16/10/2015 23:52

Gosh, I'm sorry, I misread that ... I should probably go to bed.

It's so much bloody trouble at times !

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 16/10/2015 23:55

Here's wishing you a peaceful weekend. You have the start of a plan.

Dungandbother · 16/10/2015 23:59

Just wishing you luck OP

I doubt your piano is worth anything (apologies if it's an heirloom or anything). My friend is a piano teacher and is frequently asked do you want my piano, I don't want it anymore.... They have little resale value these days.

Just say your gadgets are used for work.

Take care

sleeponeday · 17/10/2015 00:00

If you're on paid maternity leave, then you can have tax credits calculated on top of the maternity as you are regarded as currently in work. You are entitled to Working Tax Credits, not just Child Tax Credits. That's on top of Housing Benefit and Child Benefit.

Are you claiming all those?

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 17/10/2015 00:02

I don't claim tc but thanks

Piano is probably worth nothing, just sentimental value.

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 17/10/2015 00:09

Do you mean you are eligible but do not claim?

First rule of debt advice is to ensure income is maximised, so usually a benefits check is done.

sleeponeday · 17/10/2015 00:10

I do think you should apply. As a single parent, without savings, you're entitled to them. It's what you've been paying your taxes for - even if you don't plan to return to work, as long as the statutory maternity pay is owing then you can claim as an employed person, which allots you far more income allowable than someone seeking work.

I volunteer for an advice charity, and a side-by-side benefits calculation for a lone parent on maternity leave, as opposed to unemployed lone parent, is pretty different. You'd get a great deal more. It really is worth asking for the forms, because they will only backdate to the date you do so. And if you have that extra money, then you can perhaps promise them a little of it, ongoing. Which has to be better for them than no percentage of nothing.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 17/10/2015 00:10

Not eligible :)

OP posts:
sleeponeday · 17/10/2015 00:12

Oh, I'm sorry. That's very hard. (Just in case, you do know the threshold for eligibility is lower for a lone parent? Sorry if that is yet again less than useful info.)

sleeponeday · 17/10/2015 00:13

Hours threshold, I meant - apologies, not slept this week.

pinkandstripey · 17/10/2015 07:25

Anything that is on finance doesn't belong to you, so they can't take it. They will list anything of value - washing machine, TV etc. They can't go into your bedroom, so put laptop under your bed or something.

The certainty here is that they will come back. Bailiffs do not go away. Call him, it'll be worse if he just turns up on your doorstep. They should work out an income /expenditure with you and Base a payment plan on that. They won't just take your stuff I promise - unless you ignore them.