Debt Relief Orders (DRO) - Information & help thread

cd36uk

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Are they aware you're going for a DRO?
How long do you have to wait for the DRO to be processed?

No, my creditors don't know i'm going for a DRO, i'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you shouldn't tell them (no idea why though)
So for that reason I have not told them. Wish I could remember where I have read that.

DRO's take about 8 weeks give or take a week or two, it's a slow process because they are so popular there is a backlog and only a few charities/organisations dealing with them.

Capital one are the only creditor of mine so far who have actually accepted the pro rata payment. Of course Vanquis (being the highest debt) are throwing their toys out the pram and stamping their feet. As I told the guy on the phone: I cannot give you what I don't have.
Funnily enough, it is the catalogues who I owe only a couple of hundred pounds who are being funny about accepting a payment, they are determined to put me on 'their' payment scheme, which is effectively a loan which adds more interest to the amount owed.
I dread the postman everyday, bringing more stroppy letters. I keep thinking that some payment is better than no payment...but these companies don't seem to agree.
They tell me in such a stern voice that my credit file is going to fall to bits over all this...that is the least of my worries! Sorry I have rambled on a bit.

immoral_angeluk

cd36uk wrote: »

No, my creditors don't know i'm going for a DRO, i'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you shouldn't tell them (no idea why though)
So for that reason I have not told them. Wish I could remember where I have read that.

That's debatable. Some creditors will be more than happy to wait without any further action and will put the accounts on hold. Some creditors will see this as a sign to make last ditch attempts to reclaim as much as possible, and may send debt collectors round and step up calling/letters..

DRO's take about 8 weeks give or take a week or two, it's a slow process because they are so popular there is a backlog and only a few charities/organisations dealing with them.

I know, I work for one Each organisation has different waiting times and different policies what to do during that waiting time. Give them a call and tell them about the trouble you're having with the creditors.

cd36uk

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

That's debatable. Some creditors will be more than happy to wait without any further action and will put the accounts on hold. Some creditors will see this as a sign to make last ditch attempts to reclaim as much as possible, and may send debt collectors round and step up calling/letters.

I was worried that I would get more hassle if I told them I am going for a DRO in the way of baliffs or whatever, so I would rather not tell them than risk that.

I am using national debtline currently; I had no joy with CCCS...they wouldn't let me go for a DRO! they wanted me to have a DMP which is just impossible with my finances. So I had no choice but to go with national debtline. The CAB round here is very hit and miss with long waiting times to get an appointment, and I had heard that B&E charge a fee (?) for using them as an intermediary, so I really didn't know where else to turn for help. The long waiting time is awful but I cannot see any other option, and so will have to put up with it. I am not sure what else national debtline can do for me.
My biggest owed creditor has said that they will not accept lower payments unless I get a 3rd party involved, I told them I have, they asked who, so I told them, they asked for a reference number but I declined to give them that, worried that they will find out i'm going for a DRO and cause even more hassle. They said they will not freeze interest or charges until they have had contact with a third party on my behalf, so that feels like a catch 22...as nothing will get done until the DRO is granted (if it is granted at all). I cannot stop worrying about the possbility that I will not get a DRO after all this and will finish up with an even bigger debt due to charges and interest being added.

tigerfeet2006

Due to the DPA National Debtline will not tell your creditors anything you have discussed, they will just confirm that you are being advised by them.

If people ring you tell them you are discussions with NDL and your number is **** and some one will be in touch shortly

fatbelly

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

If people ring you tell them you are discussions with NDL and your number is **** and some one will be in touch shortly

I think that's a sensible approach and close to the one I adopt at the CAB with clients going for a DRO.

cd36uk

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

Due to the DPA National Debtline will not tell your creditors anything you have discussed, they will just confirm that you are being advised by them.

If people ring you tell them you are discussions with NDL and your number is **** and some one will be in touch shortly

Thank you for the advice, I will do that from now on.

I have just had this email from a creditor:

Thank you for your e-mail.
I am sorry we are unable to set up a reduced payment agreement.

I can confirm that your account will be passed to an external Debt Collections Agency and they should contact you shortly.

You will need to make your payments directly to them.

Regards,

This has angered me, they would rather do that and add to my debt than accept a payment from me. So I guess that would mean I will get callers to my door getting heavy. Should I advise of the national debtline involvement now, and would this deter them from involving a debt collection agency?

tigerfeet2006

It will be months before some one comes to your door if they ever do. Don't even think about it.

The original creditor is just thinking about money at this present time, they will get some from the DCA plus some from insurance and it will no longer be their problem. Though saying that a lot of big firms have their own DCA attached to them and all that has happened is that it has gone from one part of the building to another. For example Barclays have Mercers, so it hasn't realy gone any where.

Who did the debt go from and to?

To be honest with the time you have left till the DRO is in place I wouldn't worry unduly. Ignore calls and letters unless they look like they are going to try for a CCJ and then ask on the boards and it can be dealt with.

cd36uk

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

It will be months before some one comes to your door if they ever do. Don't even think about it.

The original creditor is just thinking about money at this present time, they will get some from the DCA plus some from insurance and it will no longer be their problem. Though saying that a lot of big firms have their own DCA attached to them and all that has happened is that it has gone from one part of the building to another. For example Barclays have Mercers, so it hasn't realy gone any where.

Who did the debt go from and to?

To be honest with the time you have left till the DRO is in place I wouldn't worry unduly. Ignore calls and letters unless they look like they are going to try for a CCJ and then ask on the boards and it can be dealt with.

The debt is with Next directory, as yet I do not know who the DCA will be as this only happened today.

They would accept a reduced payment if I paid just £1.35 more per month than what I was offering, I explained that as per the budget sheet I have provided, every penny was accounted for and that raising what I had offered would mean giving less to another creditor, but they really would not budge, and instead want to involve a DCA who will add their cut to the debt.

Thanks for your help and advice

the_jaybird

im wondering if i would be eligable for a dro i have a few questions aswell if someone could help me...

im currently with cccs on a dmp for £80 p.m i have debts of 10k to 16 creditors
i cannot afford to make the £80 payment as a few things have changed
i used to get free lifts to work but now the person taking me has left i have to use public transport at a cost of £38 p.m so i dont have the £80 p.m i only have around £40ish
do i tell cccs this and would i be eligable for a dro

i share my house with my boyfriend and my 4 year old my partner pays pretty much everything but i give him £320 per month for bills and £100 per month for food how would this work with a dro would they ask for his income and expendiature etc or just mine? all the debts are soley in my name.

also i have a sharesave plan with work which deducts £28 p.m out of my wages at the moment there is a total of £252 in it but it runs for 3 years should i cancel it if i do apply??

i have a current account with £150 overdraft which i owe no money to and a credit card for £250 which also has a nil balance would these be closed?

finally what would i need to give in terms of paperwork for the dro bank statements creditcard/ catalogue statements etc....

i am going to apply through b&e as they look like the fastest option
thanks for any help

RobertoMoir

Smart_Mart wrote: »

Received a letter back from the council today. They say that "they note my query about the bailiffs illegally levying on your goods" but that "the bailiffs have advised you that no walking possession is required for a levy to be conducted legally".[/query]

Well that reply is a good example of someone who doesn't understand what you told them. I think i said that would probably happen at the lower levels.

They have also extended the time I have to pay the £87 to three equal payments of £29 starting in two weeks time.

It's up to you where to go from here. I am pretty damn sure you have a valid complaint. Whether or not it's worth it when all is said and done only you can decide. I'd speak to your local councillor next. You might also try bailiffadviceonline.co.uk - the helpline there will have more effective material on how to complain about this usefully than I do.