In a panic - flat about to be reposessed

sammyjammy

I don't understand why your interest on your mortgage is not being paid by DWP? Or is that it doesn't cover the interest rate becasue of the rate its paid at?

ani_26

I HAVE been in your position, and there's no lying, it can be a long road for some, and £71 a week goes nowhere.

It's a fine line between becoming intentionally and unintentionally homeless, but either way, you need to put your name on your local council housing / La list, as soon as possible, because somewhere along the line, you may need it.


In some respects you are fortunate if you have some equity left in your flat, and if i'd had equity, i would definitely have gone down the buying a caravan or narrowboat, route. I know a few work colleagues who have had to financially " downsize " to a caravan or narrowboat.






My story here, if it helps you :-


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2737223


It's not always as straightforward and easy to take control of situations when you are at a " low point."




ani xx

theoretica

Are you not getting mortgage interest help with your JSA? Have you been to the website https://www.entitledto.co.uk to check on benefits?

With CAB, Shelter etc being overworked by the number of people who need help it is just too likely the people there never have time to get round to emails. Turning up in person or phoning at less usual times may be more likely to get through (I usually try about 9 in the morning, but not Mondays).

You say work experience is not an option because of your age, but I think that there should be charities which would be delighted to have you volunteer which would update your CV and get you out of the house sometime during the day. Your local library or council may know of a volunteer coordination centre.

Cool_Chick

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for helping. There has been some very good advice on here and I am very grateful to you all.

Today I've cleaned the flat, bled the radiators, put silver foil behind them, stuffed newspaper up the chimney. I've checked the CAB opening times and I'll be first in line at 10am tomorrow. My paperwork is already ready to go. I have used them before and there were an awful waste of time, but I will keep my fingers crossed this time. And I'll also pop into the Estate Agents afterwards.

I've applied for the Royal Mail Christmas staff roles which Barrowc very kindly posted links to. Thank you so much Barrowc. This is really what I need.

I will send a private message to BrandNewDay regarding the cleaning roles. Thank you so much for your help BrandNewDay.

And yes, I am serious about how I'm feeling. I even spent some time yesterday "researching" methods. I'm no primadonna searching for attention. I am just hoping for some constructive advice to get through this. Which I am so glad to be getting.

And the thing about doctors, Samaritans, anti-depressants - I've tried them already and they have worked. But I don't want this help now. I really want to follow it through as that seems like my only option. I guess I am just terrified of repossession.


And Ani 26, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I read a few pages of your diary and it seems that things were much worse for you. To suffer from ill health when you have everything else to deal with would seriously compromise you. I am so glad that things are better for you now. I totally agree with your words:

"So its been round and round in circles since the bankrupcty, trying to find out what happens next, and its the waiting game. The waiting game in my home i used to love, which i've grown to hate.The waiting game is nearing its end. I've finally got my appointment at court on tuesday, when i assume i'll get the date for repossession and my eviction. Its a frightening prospect, i'll be eaten alive by the 'opposing ' solicitors. I'm taliking about it, but its not ' real ' , its happening to someone else almost, but i know it is'nt. But the most frightening prospect of all is that minute when i hand over the keys and think, where do i go now? Because i've been unable to secure anywhere to live, But theres always that last option, option b, which gives me some comfort, from deep in my soul."

I will also have nowhere to go. Why would the council rehome me when there are so many other needy cases?

And really, I do not sit in my flat and vegetate. I used to be a very social person. And I've always been very independent. If I need to do something, then I get off my butt, slap my make-up on and just do it. But I keep getting broken down. When you're out of work, everyone treats you badly. From the awful Jobcentre staff onwards. Recruitment Consultants, everyone. I might as well tattoo "kick me" on my forehead. So I can go for 2 weeks without having another conversation with another human being. And yes, I do have really bad days sometimes when I get ready to go out then I just crumble. I have a few other issues which I am fighting which also do not help. But there is the odd day when I bump into a neighbour or strike up a conversation with a stranger. These are the only things that really make me feel better.

And I don't think I will get much from selling the flat. I'll call the Estate Agents tomorrow. But let's say it's valued at £300k. Mortgage is £250k. Other mortgage fees so far total around £10k (interest, various charges, anything else they can make up). Then there will be Redemption fees, legal fees, agency fees, let's say another £20k. So I might get £20k. But what if no-one wants to buy it? Then I'll have to sell it at a very low price. If I auction it quickly, do I have to pay upfront fees? And how do I find private accommodation with no job and a cat? Or if I buy a caravan, how do I find work to feed us?

I just can't see a future.

And yes, if there was a fire then I'm sure that I would try to save me and my cat. It's just natural instinct. But suicide is contrary to this. It's a conscious decision to go against this urge. I suppose, if there was a fire then it would not be my fault and I would be rehomed. But when it's repossession, it's more a case of it being my fault. Then there's no safety net.

Anyway, that's where I am now.

PS In case any taxpayers are cursing me, I didn't buy beer last night with your money although I craved it. When you're this low, it's funny how alcohol seems to becomes a need. But I sensibly bought food and chocolate rolls instead.

whitewing

Maybe volunteer here:

http://www.sfts.org.uk/volunteer

tesuhoha

How about going onto Freecycle and asking for some paint and furniture to do up your spare room. You could then take in a lodger to help with the mortgage.

Cool_Chick

Hello again,

Yes, I did get a little financial help from the DWP for my mortgage. You can be eligible after 13 weeks of claiming Jobseekers Allowance. But it is very small. It is based upon a £100k mortgage, and only for a set number of weeks. So it hardly made a difference. I paid the shortfall and all previous and subsequent payments myself.

And I'm not sure how volunteering would help. If I had my choice, I would love to volunteer for Battersea Cats Home, the RSPCA, Blue Cross hospital, Cats Protection, etc. no matter what my own circumstances. I supppose volunteering for Shelter might give me access to people who could help me, but how can I help others right now?

Volunteering seems like a luxury to me right now. I need to be working or looking for work. Is NRAM going to say "oh, she's a volunteer, she must be a nice person, let's not worry about her paying her debt to us"? I'm not being facetious, I just really don't think they would appreciate me donating my time away when I just need to get their money for them.

Am I on the wrong track?

tesuhoha

I don't know whether you would still be eligible for Jobseekers but you can buy a house in Northern Ireland for less than £20,000.

whitewing

I think the reason we are suggesting volunteering is that it will get you connecting with people again, and that will indirectly help inspire you with resolving your issues. A few hours volunteering won't impede a job search but it could help bring routine and anticipation to your week. Plus you'll meet different types of people.

You may find after the EA and CAB visit tomorrow that you feel better.

If times get desperate, do ask local charities for a food parcel. You can always donate the equivalent in future years when you are back on your feet again.

Morgage_Confused

Just rent out that spare bedroom. No excuses just do it. I dont think you need to panic and sell up. You could even consider renting the whole place and moving somewhere cheaper for a while.