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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:
Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 14:37

I know, this is all sensible. It's just when I spoke to the last one they just kept saying it needs paying or goods will be collected - but from what I've read here this isn't the case? As they haven't been allowed entry and I can park my car at the co op

OP posts:
PurpleHairAndPearls · 18/10/2015 14:38

What exactly are you expecting from this thread?

People have taken the time to give good advice here and all your other threads. You don't have to take the advice of course, that's entirely up to you but short of actually offering you the money there isn't much more Mners can do for you.

You're very clearly not on the breadline from this and your previous threads, you're an educated adult who says they have a job and DC, you've been ignoring this for some time, despite having asked for and received the very same advice people have given you here on this thread.

What more do you expect from MN?

ilovesooty · 18/10/2015 14:47

I'm pretty sure they can't force entry or anything like that. Just get in touch, take control and negotiate with them.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 14:49

Hey Purple, I've already said I'll talk to CAB tomorrow and people here have helped me bring my courage together to face the problem. It can be difficult and stressful managing these things alone. I didn't deliberately ignore it, I am scatty anyway and I'm afraid I forgot about the first letter as I was in the latter stages of pregnancy then. Plus, I will concede there may have been an element of 'deliberate forgetting' - Scarlett o'hara had nothing on me when it comes to not thinking of unpleasant things but I'm starting to understand sometimes you just have to.

But you don't have to do it alone, which is where mumsnet is lovely. Flowers

OP posts:
pinkandstripey · 18/10/2015 19:35

I'm not sure how many different ways I can say this - the bailiff will come back (probably tmrw). He will come back at different times of day, he may come at 7am,or sit outside your house and wait for you to get home from work, or ask your neighbours who lives in your house, or come when your child is at home. You would be hiding in your house at a knock, and that's a terrible place to be.

You need to take control and call him. Or at the very least call the bailiff company. It's not really worth them seizing your stuff - it's a lot of hassle, they just want you to pay the bill in the easiest way possible - and they will accept installments because they don't want to keep chasing you! The walking possesion 'secures' the debt to give you time to pay.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 19:45

yeah, but he'll probably do that whether I call him or not pink; I don't know if calling will make any real difference. I really don't think they'll accept instalments.

OP posts:
BojackHorseman · 18/10/2015 19:48

The bailiff company will accept installments, they will set up a payment plan with you.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 19:50

They wouldn't last time.

OP posts:
BojackHorseman · 18/10/2015 19:53

What did you discuss with them last time? Bailiff companies are not stupid, they know that if a payment plan is put in place they'll stand a much better chance of being paid the debt.

Where have the previous letters been sent, have you moved house a lot?

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 19:55

Not sure, but the council said on the phone they had been 'trying to find me' for a while Confused

Haven't moved house THAT much!

I'm positive that if I could have set up a payment plan I should have in June but I didn't.

OP posts:
BojackHorseman · 18/10/2015 20:00

Trust me, you can set up a payment plan. I've had to help a friend deal with his debt and one of the things he did was set up a payment plan with the bailiffs.

Burying your head in the sand will not help, you need to deal with it and dithering is not helping. I've read the whole thread and you seem to be going round in circles as well as getting hung up on will they/will they not offer a payment plan.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 20:03

That was one bailiff though bojack, I honestly think they'll just demand the money, they did before. even if - if - they accepted this they would demand a payment now and I just don't have it.

OP posts:
BojackHorseman · 18/10/2015 20:07

They all work the same way, I've given you advice so it is up to you whether you take it or leave it.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 20:11

They don't, actually - it depends what the debt is for, it depends how many times the debt has been 'asked for' (the fact I am only aware of one such demand is neither here nor there) and it depends on the timescale.

OP posts:
dickiedavisthunderthighs · 18/10/2015 20:17

I'm not going to repeat all the good advice you've had here already but not having a phone is no excuse not to call; go to a phone box or to a friend's house.
From what you've said about your financial background I don't see why you couldn't talk to your bank about a loan or overdraft either, have you checked your credit rating?

SilverOldie2 · 18/10/2015 20:19

What about pawnbokers? Do you have stuff like jewellery you could pawn until the end of the month? If not for the full amount, even half should satisfy the bailiffs until you get paid.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 20:20

By the time it all got sorted with the necessary paperwork and what have you I would be able to pay it. It is a 2 week thing. Less than that actually. Ten days?

I have conceded the phones not an insurmountable problem; it is a nuisance though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 20:20

I don't have any jewellery, just costume stuff.

I lose rings Grin

OP posts:
UnlikelyPilgramage · 18/10/2015 20:45

Leavingsosoon - you know better than this.

If you ring up and inform the bailiffs you cannot pay anything now and they refuse to accept that, calmly inform them that in that case you will seek further advice and end the conversation!

A phone call cannot hurt you. If you wish, lie and say you are away but the cleaner gave you the message or something.

That's amused exasperation, by the way, not annoyance as such.

You've come through worse than an unpaid council tax bill but I think you are being lazy and taking the passive option of letting them come to you and see what happens and ultimately that won't do anyone any good!

Woman up! Grin

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 20:51

Ok, I'm going to concede that was a good post, I'm not sure if I was being complimented or bollocked though Grin

OP posts:
AliceInUnderpants · 18/10/2015 21:15

FTR - I think I may have been the reason this thread was suspended. I reported the OP out of concern based on some of your latest posts and asked Mumsnet to check it out and make sure you were safe. You certainly have not 'annoyed' me, nor have I thought you are being 'untruthful'. I really hope you figure this out.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 18/10/2015 21:16

That was a nice thing you did alice and don't worry, I am absolutely fine and I was never in any danger Flowers

OP posts:
pinkandstripey · 18/10/2015 22:52

Why did you bother asking for advice if you know everything that's going to happen??

I'm out.

ohtheholidays · 19/10/2015 00:46

I used to work with surestart and have helped alot of family's that have been in the same situation as yourself OP.We always advised what the CAB advised and that was don't ever answer the door to a bailiff/debt collector ect if you can't afford to pay it all off there and then or have someone that can pay it all off there and then for you!

Speak to the CAB as soon as they open and they will help you and they're help is free of charge.

If you look on here you can find out where your nearest one is if your not sure.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

This part is about dealing with urgent debts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/dealing-with-urgent-debts/#h-dealing-with-urgent-debts

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 19/10/2015 06:33

What's frustrating is that it isn't my council tax as in my council tax from now, today.

It's an old debt - at least two and a half years old. Possibly even more.

Why the urgency then is anybody's guess.

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