Help with baliffs and housing

forafriend_2

Hello,

I am not sure if I am posting this in the right place so please feel free to move it. I have been lurking on these boards for a couple of years and have really turned our finances around thanks to all the great advice, I have registered so I can ask for help for a friend although I worry it is too late.

My friend, is having major money troubles. She has a council house in her name only, 4 children living at home secondary school age and an oh. In the summer her relationship went bad and her oh won't give her any money at all, he clears his bank account out once a week and spends it on himself. She has been slowly sinking further into debt, the only money she has is child benifit, tax credits and money from a part time job. She has never been good with money and was in debt before but it has really spiralled now.

Basically, she hasn't been paying her rent and now has a court date for a week today, she hasn't done anything about it, filled the form in and is not planning on going to court as she can't do anything about it - her words.

She is overdrawn at the bank and they are taking loads of charges from her (£400) this week from fees back in Aug/Sept and has no money at all. There is a cheque for the baliff supposed to clear tommorow for £200 but the bank have told her they will bounce it so she is expecting the baliffs this week.

Trouble is she will not face it or do anything about it. I have suggested she talk to CAB, the council, benefits people but she won't, she says its too late. She seems resigned to the fact that the baliffs are going to take everything and she is going to lose the house. Her husband won't help at all and just says 'well you sort it' as if it isn't happening, he won't move out either so she could get more help, or give her any money.

The kids know nothing about what has been going on and their world is going to fall apart next week when the baliffs have been and they are (possibly) evicted.

Is there anything that she can do to at least save her house? Or is it too late.

Any suggestions please, she is my best friend and I know she has brought a lot of this on herself but she doesn't deserve this.

Thanks

ladybez

Did not just want to read and run. If she won't talk to CAB etc, Would she speak to her GP? I'm sure there will be someone along soon with more helpful suggestions, could you point her towards this site?

RAS

Hi

There is very little you can do if she will not try and help herself but in order to advise you what sort of risk the bailiffs present, we need to know if the bailiff has been in the house?

forafriend_2

Yes the baliff has been to her house, several times over the last few months I believe but she has always given them some money, then she pays her debt off weekly to them over the phone until she gets short and then stops - the debt is her council tax.

She is supposed to be calling round this afternoon so I am trying to get some info to persuade her to deal with this instead of sticking her head in the sand, she is crying all the time and in a rea state. She won't go to the doctors.

I am going to ring cab for her in a minuter (they don't open until 10.30) and get some general advice for her. I have to go to work soon but will be back early afternoon.

RAS

Hi

There are a number of debt charities that may also be able to help - see here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help

Given that she obvoisly need moral support as well as practical help Christians Against Poverty might be a good idea.

Regarding the bailiffs, the situation is now really difficult. Please can you send an urgent pm to Herbie21 who posts on here. Even if her mail box is full she will get an e-mail telling her you tried to contact her and come looking for you.

Will be back with her web-site.

DarkConvict

As for child maintenance from the OH, speak to the CSA.

She really does need to speak to someone, sure it 'maybe' to late to hit this successfully but there are always options to take. Bankruptcy maybe one of them if she is sinking further into debt.

By the way if the debts are in both names, the husband is also liable for the full amount, not just 1/2.

RAS

Have a look at http://www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk/ which is run by Herbie21

or she can call 0906 802 0273 it's 60p per minute but right now she needs to get some professional help in handling the bailiff!