Where do I start ? no point going on !

Can't_Get_Straight

Ok, don't know where to start. I currently rent with my children and am sick of being moved around because of landlords who want to renovate/sell/divorce settle etc. I need something more stable, but I struggle to get anywhere as my debts are monsterous.

It started with my first partner I lived with. I had a good job and credit at the time. He ran up my credit cards, catalogues, then when he left he wrote out every cheque in our joint cheque book accounts (2) in the space of a week, took all the money in the account and totalled the overdraft. The cheques cleared later, going way past the overdraft. That in total came to about £12,000. Unreal. I suffered depression being left with my child and moved from the area. When I got back on my feet, having destroyed everything from my old home, I couldn't remember who all teh debts were with and then forgot about them.
I then met someone else who I have been with ever since and married. We were doing fine and then once we were both earning good money we both got a car on finance, a bank account (each) and loans with our banks and a credit card with my bank. We spent the loans on treating my elderly mother and various other things, knowing we were paying everything back each month just fine. Then the disaster hit. We were told our landlord was selling his house and were evicting us. We looked for other houses but he wouldn't return our deposit to put down until 1 month after we left, so we couldn't put that down up front for another house. We had 2 weeks left and I was hoping to secure a small deposit loan from my employer. Everything seemed fine. Then on Christmas Eve my husband and I (both worked for same company) were made redundant, with no pay off, as we hadn't been there for 2 years. 1 week later, not having secured jobs, we were evicted too and it all spiralled downhill from there. We wrote to our bank and car finance etc who were completeley unwilling to help and insisted on ridiculous payments each month. We were then jobless and homeless with our children. This remained for nearly a year as no-one could help us. We have a rented house now, luckily through a friend, and have just been told again by this landlord that they want to sell. The thing is we have so many debts over us we just can't rent anywhere and can't pay the debts, it's a vicious circle. My husband never really got over the redundancy and debt situation and now suffers with depression severely adn the stress of it all is making me think of the unthinkable. My children is what keeps me going and I don't know what to do now. We can't find a house to rent, with our bad credit history and I can't seem to keep the debtors at bay. In total our debts are now a massive £60K roughly. I can't even remember the old ones I had before I married so am estimating a bit. I can't get out of this hole and am desperate for help. We will again be homeless in a month or so, and cut off from the phone in a week as BT won't let me pay gradually to cover the bill until the next one arrives. I'm at an all time low and want to sleep or cry all the time now. Does anyone know of a miracle that could save me.

seven-day-weekend

Just to say that I am no expert debt counsellor, but there ARE plenty of people around who can help and they'll be along later, I'm sure.

I know they always ask people to put up a Statement of Affairs (SOA- it's shown on onre of the 'sticky' posts) to see if any spending can be cut back on that.

Is there any reason why the Council won't help you with a home? - they usually can if you have children and are homeless.

Things always look bleaker in the wee small hours.....just hang on for a few and there will be plenty of help and advice. It CAN be sorted....you've done the right thing by posting on here.

x

Janey51

Hi Can't get straight. What a tragic series of events you have suffered and a classic story of how anyone can get into debt.
Apart from wanting to take all this hurt away from you the best practical advice I can give you is to contact National Debtline or the CCCS (links at the top of the page).
We are in debt of over £80000 and six months ago I thought the only way out was to jump off a bridge but CCCS have pulled us through.
It looks as if you are the one in the partnership having to cope at the moment but hey! You're a woman:A and you will survive.
The people on these boards are fantastic and will help you get through this.:)

seven-day-weekend

BUMP-ing up the page for morning shift....

mrs_mug_2

I'm new to MSE too so I'm not really able to offer any advice - but I'm sure you'll receive plenty of good tips from the guys here.

You'll get there, if you want it badly enough, you'll do it.

lynzpower

morning CGS Hope you managed to get some kip

Welcome to debt free wannabee

First things first. You must get hold of your credit rating. This will show any random old debts that you have forgotten about, and will give you a picture of what you owe and where.

Second.
Do a statement of Affiairs, all your incomings & outgoings.

Third.
Go to your local authority and register as homeless. By law they have to provide housing for you as you are in priority need and you have children.
Have you ever heard that you have been found intentionally homeless? In any case, you must not leave that property until you are formally evicted. otherwise the council will not house you. This is a headache for your landlord, but in the situation you are in you have to fight for yourselves. Speak to your local Housing department at the council and get on the register.

Are either of you working at the moment?
Are either of you claiming housing benefit contributions at the moment? Do try and get whatever benefits you can https://www.entitledto.com

All the best & hope to hear from you later

In_Search_Of_Me

Hi cant get straight & welcome. Panic not! You are amongst a supportive & knowledgable group who will support you all the way. Fab place to be! I am one of the huggy rather than knowledegable ones so big squidgy hugs coming your way from me. Knowledgable ones will be along soon but I know that advice will be post your statement of affairs - details at top of page on the "sticky" thread. Basically its a full list if oncime, outgoings, debts & interest rates...also contact CCCS & payplan re long term plan. The council housing office should be able to help re housing as you are being made involntary homeless & if you have children be more of a priority. If they have nothing ask them for vol organisations near you - charter housing, shelter etc who may be able to help. Also the benefits office to check that you are getting max benefits. CAB should be able to assist generally. Have a peek at the old style boards on ways to cut back day to day....hope that helps as a start. Big hugs for you all. You're in the right place - lots of people here know that awful feeling of desperation so no need for you to feel alone anymore

In_Search_Of_Me

oopes posts crossed with Lynz!

linniestorm

lynzpower wrote:

First things first. You must get hold of your credit rating. This will show any random old debts that you have forgotten about, and will give you a picture of what you owe and where.

Welcome CGS, Hugs!! Hope you're feeling better this morning, it does seem hopeless at first, but its amazing how quickly you can feel better when you just start to get into your head the extent of everything, I know I'm not really much less in debt than when I started, but I feel so much more in control its untrue!!!

Just wanted to mention in relation to what lynz said, if you're getting hold of your credit report to make sure you go for the £2 one cause its not always obvious its there unless you know about it. I went on the other day to order an update of mine and it took me about five minutes to find the right link squirreled away underneath all the 'Pay so much for a year' ones. Or some do a free trial, but remember to cancel it with plenty of time to spare if you go down that route, it can take a couple of days to take effect!

Can't_Get_Straight

THank you so much for all your advice. Today feels worse as I am told what I didn't want to hear, hence still being awake at this ungodly hour.
I called the Council regarding housing and they cannot help me. Reason : Our rent is high for this rented property and when we took it on, our landlord and ourselves filled out the forms at the Council office with a Housing Officer. She said we would get the majority of the rent paid through Housing Benenfit and would need to apply for a top-up for the rest as we are low income (Income Support, husbands illness) We followed advice and today were refused the top-up after being here 3 months, so now we have been told that what is left over, we have to pay to the landlord as HB won't cover it and it amounts to £525, which means we are now £525 in arrears with our landlord. When we are evicted next month, we would still be in arrears and according to the Council that constitutes us as being "Intentionally Homeless" and therefore they will not house us, under any circumstances, with children or not !!! I called Shelter and they cannot deal with intentionally homeless claims that are as clear cut as this, as we are in arrears and it is clear on paper that this is true. We cannot pay these arrears let alone anything else, as we are on minimum income and struggle from day to day. To make things worse my Child Benefit was not paid today and when I called the CB Office, they said it was a simple error and I would get double next week, but that doesn't help me now !!! I really need to try and do something about the horrendous debt we have as no-one will house us ever, and the Council won't help.

I'm now very, very scared of being on the street with my children again. So much so I even called Social Services to see if they would support me i trying to get council housing, but they said they have more pressing cases to deal with !!!

Very scared and feeling worse than yesterday. What do I do ?

Tiff_2

linniestorm wrote:

Welcome CGS, Hugs!! Hope you're feeling better this morning, it does seem hopeless at first, but its amazing how quickly you can feel better when you just start to get into your head the extent of everything, I know I'm not really much less in debt than when I started, but I feel so much more in control its untrue!!!

Just wanted to mention in relation to what lynz said, if you're getting hold of your credit report to make sure you go for the £2 one cause its not always obvious its there unless you know about it. I went on the other day to order an update of mine and it took me about five minutes to find the right link squirreled away underneath all the 'Pay so much for a year' ones. Or some do a free trial, but remember to cancel it with plenty of time to spare if you go down that route, it can take a couple of days to take effect!

I have just found out that Experion do one for £2. Also if the council can't house you for whatever reason, they can refer you to a Housing Assocoation which are much more stable than private renting. I'm with Orbit & they are really good. Make that suggestion if council turn you down and ask them to refer you - some HA's will only take referrals. Sorry I can't be of any real help. Wishing you well.:)