A bankrupt assaulted, in a dire situation - any help appreciated

storminbalder

My first thread, but I didn't know where to turn. Thanks for reading, and any advice is greatly appreciated. Please note, you will not understand the relevance to bankruptcy until towards the end.

A brief background story.

March 2006 - Went bankrupt. Like so many others on here it was unavoidable and not really of my own doing (at least not intentional any how). More a case of being ripped off by an ex partner, gullibility, being made redundant, and of course a bit of stupidity thrown in for good measure.

Janurary 2007 - Discharged. Also at the same time I started work in my first instance as a supply teacher.

Since then and up until April 2008 I was working most of the time and the bank account was looking rather healthy, I have managed to get a bank account with a Maestro card, and reasoned that things were returning to normality. Even stopped smoking!

Unfortunately events have turned horribly for the worst. I have not taken any further supply work since April as it all but dried up. I signed on for benefits, but subsidised these with savings built up from working.

The bank account is more or less empty now and I have cut back on spending and was living relatively tolerantly within my means.

But 10 days ago I was the victim of an unprovoked assaulted. I had been sitting with friends enjoying the sun as well as a few pints during an afternoon. I was not in any way drunk! My friends had just gone, and I was about to follow when the assault took place.

The person who assualted me was known to me and lives locally, but is someone who I have always tried to avoid due to his unusual behaviour.

I approached the police and the arrest has taken place. The doctors confirmed that I had broken ribs. Since then, however, this person and his friend have been spreading vicious rumours about me and intimidating people (including me and the two witnesses). It seems that the witnesses are now not likely to testify that they saw anything.

Now to the point. I have a number of concerns.

It seems very likely that I will need to leave the area very soon. Since the assault, another minor assault has already taken place and I have recieved threats indirectly.

What concerns me is this. Moving costs money. Now I know I can't borrow it. The only asset of appreciable value is a car (worth approx £2000). If I sell this it will limit the amount of supply teaching I can do.

I am perfectly willing to sell the car, but am concerned I will find places to rent hard to come by for obvious reasons, ie bankrupty/no DSS. Also I don't think £2000 would be enough for the 6 month advance deposit they'd probably require.

I'm sure I could find work soon, but this would go against me renting as well as the bankruptcy. I did not have a problem with my current landlord as I have never paid late in 11 1/2 years.

Also simple problems like hiring a van to transfer belongings are not so easy for a bankrupt.

If only this had occurred a year ago, I'd have had enough in the bank to move in a jiffy.

I'm sorry it was so long, and thanks to anyone who took the time to read. I'd appreciate any help you can give. Perhaps, for example, I've overlooked a possible option.

Thanks.

dalip

Can not think of anything off hand,except do you have an area in mind,if so how about trying H/A and explaining your reasons for moving. Long shot but maybe worth a try. Also how about the local education authority where you are thinking of moving to. Get your LL to write a reference. All thses things may help. In the mean time sorry this has happened to you,life sucks.......

skylight

Does your LL have other properties or know of other LL?? If they understand your position, they may be able to help with finding another property that wont want such a deposit bond etc. If you are on benefits you may be able to get social fund loans - they deduct a small amount from your benefit each week. Its not ideal but may help with moving van costs etc. A credit union? You usually have to have paid into a savings account with them for a few months before you can borrow some money though.

Its a bummer.

storminbalder

Dalip.

Thanks for your reply. I'm thinking of returning to my home city some 150 miles away as I have friends and relatives there. So yes, I do have an area in mind. I'm also sure I'll be able to claim H/A once there, but that doesn't help with the main problem that due to being "unemployed and ex bankrupt" it's a lot of money to raise to appease any bankrupt that doesn't know me. I'm sure my landlord will do a reference though. Thanks for your support.

Skylight.

Thanks. The landlord's agency won't have properties so far away. I don't know much about social loans, but think that it's unlikely they'll lend me enough to pay 6 months rent.

It's a pity as, I "did" rather like living here, and it couldn't have come at a worse time financially.

Still thinking about options. I could just become housebound and keep my head down as much as possible, sneak off to work for a while whilst raising the cash necessary to move.

Going to phone victim support now, see if they have any advice.

Again, thanks.

dalip

Why should you have to become housebound due to bullys. Thats where they get their power from intimidating people:mad: . That said it's easy in my postition to give i am not on the receiving end am i.

Could you not rope in friends to help you move after all 150 miles is not that far away. could you stay with said friends/relatives until you got rehoused?. Would they not help you move?.

storminbalder

Dalip.

Thanks again. Will look into possible family support at the weekend when they return from holiday. I see what you mean about bullys and I agree, it seems many people think I'm mad to stand up to them by reporting them.

Just been on the phone to witness support and they were very supportive. It appears my first port of call should be the local council to explain the situation in order to be possibly rehoused.

GettingHopeful

Nothing practical to add, wish very much I could help, this is dreadful, just when you are getting your life back together. Am thinking of you xx

dalip

Yes it would be shame if you had to move from the area totally,especially as you have come so far. Lets us know what the LC say. D

080808

hi, just to say really sorry what happened to you, must have really shook you up. also, remember you are poss still in shock and maybe not the best time to make big decisions about things. maybe take a weekend break in home town, vistit friends chill out if youcan and check out local paper for rents and stuff. don't know if you are single or with family but if single maybe you could manage with a cheapo bedsit for a short while till you get sorted - depressin i know but could be better than living in fear if you are at the moment. don't see why you would need to tell most landlords about being b/r anyway, so should just need one month and one month as usual? plus a paper reference in your pocket from current landlord might be of use.
yeah, just don't rush into things, maybe you'd rather stay wher you are and get these bully idiots dealt with by the law?
good luck, keep posting. 08

AnnesWitterings

sorry to hear whats happened to you...take things slowly sometimes when we have bad things happen we make mistakes ..I did...
asault in any form is awful and I think knocks our faith in human beings..but were not all bad...
good luck in the future and keep posting to let us know how things are with you
Anne

storminbalder

Thankyou to all that have posted, I'm extremely grateful.

O8/08/08. I think you are right and thanks for the good advice. That is something I need to consider. It also think it's helps to think things out by just typing it here and also speaking to victim support.

The way I see it I have two options.

1. Sell car and move - look for something other than supply teaching.
2. Grin and bear it and hope things get easier after a while and continue considering options - in other words hibernate as I don't think I couls return to teaching (certainly in this area).

I still think that any new landlord would need to know/find out about my bankruptcy though.