I'm in the process of seperating with DP. We're still living together but he's looking for a flatshare.
Our finances are in a complete mess. All the debt repayements go out by Direct Debit, but the rent, council tax, utilites etc are in arrears. He has about £200 in his account which is not enough for a deposit or advance rent payment. I can't claim beneifts until he's left but with every week that goes by I'm getting further in arrears. We're clocking up late payment fees and unauthorised overdraft charges every week too.
DP rang the CCCS this morning and they gave him some general advice, such as, clear the bills first and get a new bank account, but they can't help with debt management until mid September (first available appt.).
I don't know what to do. I've just rang the landlord to get a rent balance and it was £650. All I could afford to pay was £150. I received a council tax demand this morning for just over £200 which I want to pay to avoid court but I know that rent has to be my priority. Next week we've got £400 worth of bills and debt repayments coming out by DD, so more more bank charges.
DP is out all day, spending money that could go towards rent, on takeaways, petrol and in the pub. I know he's doing this to stay out of my way and he's spending the money cos he doesn't know what else to do with himself, but this can't go on.
Does anyone have any advice for us? I just want to know what to do first or how to go about things.