It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

elizabunny

Hi Beki -Have you a 'CAB' or similar that you could get into really quickly for advice. Is there any possibility that a relative could help you out? Just some thoughts -but whatever you do -don't ignore the letter (not that you would anyway) because it won't go away. Try and get help and advice asap. Good Luck with this and hope you can get something sorted really soon.

Icemaiden

Beki wrote: »

Well, we've just recieved a letter from the council tax department Bad news

We defaulted last year so agreed to start paying the arrears on top of the normal council tax. We've now missed one payment of that arrangement and now they want the full £1400-odd in full or they're either taking us to court, threatening the bailiffs, and in the letter it even mentions a warrant for arrest!!! I have NO idea how we're going to deal with this one

Didn't want to read & run;) I know its scary but get on the phone NOW beki to the council to see if theres anything that can be done, the longer you leave it the worst it will get, sending you hugs and strength

Ice
x

the_cat

Hi Beki

I don't usually post here (although I read every day) Put up a thread on the debt-free wannabe board. You will get lots of very experienced people on there who will be able to help with this specific type of problem

Try not to panic though - they will send out a standard letter worded deliberately to scare those who WON'T (as opposed to can't) pay. I'm sure that they will be prepared to come to an arrangement as long as you get in touch immediately.

Good luck
Cat

beautiful_ravens

Beki wrote: »

Well, we've just recieved a letter from the council tax department Bad news

We defaulted last year so agreed to start paying the arrears on top of the normal council tax. We've now missed one payment of that arrangement and now they want the full £1400-odd in full or they're either taking us to court, threatening the bailiffs, and in the letter it even mentions a warrant for arrest!!! I have NO idea how we're going to deal with this one

hi,
I got a similar letter recently, RE council tax, (maybe not QUITE as scarey), phoned them up and they simply 'reset' the payment agreement, as I'm willing to pay and can pay, rather than refusing or unable. I missed a payment or paid late, one of the two.
Dont forget its usually computers that make these decisions nowadays, not actual people!!
Good luck x

Beki

Thanks everyone. We actually bought this house with my parents and the debt is equally ours and theirs. So around £700 each. They're also in dire straits at the moment, as my mum's just had her redundancy announced for the end of march and my dad's on incapacity benefit due to a broken back.

I can't see us being able to afford more than the £327 we were paying per month to play catch-up. I hope they'll allow us to start paying it again at that rate.

The only reason we missed a payment is due to not being able to afford it - not that we don't WANT to pay. I can't actually phone them myself as the bill is in my dad's name, although we're technically half-responsible for paying it.

I've spoken to my mum this afternoon about it and we've agreed that first thing tomorrow morning the four of us are going to sit round the table and put pen to paper and see EXACTLY what's coming into and going out of the house each month and see what we can afford with regards to paying the arrears on the CT and electric (they wanted £420 a month to clear the arrears, but we've agreed on £200 for the moment with a view to upping in in the near future.. again, how i don't know ).

We can then phone the CT and electric board to arrange maybe paying a bit more on the elctric and will see if the CT will re-start our payment plan.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I absolutely love this forum - everyone seems to pull together in a crisis, whether big or small xxxx

beautiful_ravens

Sounds like a great plan, Beki.
Yes, this is the friendliest forum Ive ever been on

Icemaiden

Thats great Beki, but just one thing, don't wait till the council ask for payment, start paying it again straight away if you can as it makes you look like your trying to clear the debt and the overall bill is still being reduced. Make sure you can afford the payments for both your CT & leccy together so be realistic when offering any payment plan.

I have a Big Black Book and at the start of every month on one page, write down with the dates, of everything coming in and then on the other page, everything thats going out. When things are paid I simply tick them off the list and vice verser, I refer to this book all the time its like my bible, I write everything in it, what I've spent & what I've stashed. I'm not trying to tell you how to suck eggs:o but it helps keep me on track and goodness I need all the help I can get:D

Ice
x

[Deleted User]

Icemaiden that is exactly what I did when the mortgage interest rate went up to 16%. I referred to my book constantly and I must say that is what got us through that dreadful time. One person working, 3 small children, mortgage, sudden half salary in order to stay in work. Believe me nothing but nothing is impossible, as long as we all stay flexible

Beki

Oooh i love that idea about the black book! I'll have to pop to the pound shop and grab one at the weekend Thanks! xx

mardatha

I'm reading a fabulous book about the home front in ww2 "How We Lived Then " - It's so engrossing I've hardly been online since I got it yesterday morning (library).
The problems they had then were putting into perspective what's going on today, until I watched the news at 5 on telly, when I faltered a bit. But then I gathered meself and thought well they faced what was happening with courage and defiance, and we can and will do the same.
Then I had to cope with a 6ft ratty virgo OH whining his face off that he might need to get rid of his car... You never seem to have a machete handy when you need one, eh ?