Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

ampersand

Posted in response to your other one, mummy.

CAPUk and Stepchange are both highly regarded and praised.

I hope so hard you'll give them a ring or look on their site, as linked on other reply.
https://capuk.org/about-us
and
https://capuk.org/i-want-help
#
They don't proselytise - as Martin says:
No debt problems are unsolvable. It might not be easy or quick, but there's always a route.

re: CAPUK, Martin says -

Christians Against Poverty

Debt counselling agency, which specialises in helping those who are emotionally struggling too. The religious focus is why they do it, not how they do it.

• Link: Christians Against Poverty
• Tel: 0800 328 0006
• Opening times: different for each bureau

#
They have transformed lives for msers I have come to know in 'real life':-)

Maybe for you too?

Sazzie23

I'm not a debt advisor but I tracked you from your post on the other thread. Check out the http://www.stepchange.org site for advice in the meantime. I found their on-line debt remedy really useful.


Its normal to feel low when things are getting overwhelming, especially if you can't share it with anyone. Posting a new thread on the main DFW page might get some advice specific to your problem, but it doesn't sound impossible to sort out. The default will disappear after 6 years, how long have you had it?

Former_StepChange_Rachel

mummy254 wrote: »

I was unwell though still employed and getting wages. I lost track of a credit card and I now have a default. There is only a few hundred pounds outstanding but I haven't told my husband. Its really eating at me but I don't want him to be disappointed in me. I need to get a new car as I have a driving job and my car us on its last legs. We have debt on a credit card and it does not sem to be decreasing. Its making me I'll. Any advice would be appreciated. Feeling low

Hi there mummy254, thank you for getting in touch.

I’m very sorry to hear about what you’ve been dealing with recently. I can imagine that it’s been very difficult keeping these worries to yourself, and just want to reassure that we’re here to help.

As ampersand has already mentioned, there are always options available when it comes to debt problems. We’re a free and impartial debt advice charity and we can help you work out a realistic solution based on your budget and living expenses.
Our online advice tool Debt Remedy can help you put together a personal action plan in just 20 minutes.
http://www.stepchange.org/debtremedy.aspx?domain=www.MoneyAware.co.uk

Alternatively, you can call our Helpline (free from landlines and most mobile networks) on 0800 138 1111 and put together a budget with one of our friendly advisors. We’re open Mon – Fri 8am - 8pm and Sat 8am – 4pm.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with everything and well done on taking this first step towards getting debt advice.

Best regards

Rachel

bpm91

Hi there.

While i was working away i recieved a letter from HMRC with regards to underpayments on my tax and that i owe them £956.00 and this payment is required immediately. Now i wasnt home when this letter arrived so i missed the cut off date for reply and now i have another saying this payment is required ASAP before further action is taken. Now i managed to get in touch with them once i got back and set up an arrangement to repay over 2 months which is all they would accept of £478 now they took the first payment straight away which made me miss my payment to StepChange and looks like ill miss the next payment too. Im now worried that my DMP will be cancelled cause i've had a few bad months where i've made a less payment or no payment due to circumstances occuring. I dont know what to do

bunahilga

I have recently declared a huge amount of net income in order to get a mortgage. Problem iS noW the hmrc WANT PAYING AND ARE STARTING TO ASK FOR ALL MY FINANCIAL DETAILS. I HAVENT BOUGHT THE HOUSE YET SO HAVE QUITE A LARGE SUM IN THE BANK FOR A DEPOSIT. CAN THE HMRC SEIZE THIS? IM STILL A COUPLE OF GRAND SHORT OF THE DEPOSIT,SO WILL NEED A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO BUY THE HOIUSE.I'M WORRIED THE HMRC WILL SEIZE MY DEPOSIT BEFORE I HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THE MORTGAGE! EXCUSE THE CAPITALS. KEYBOARDS PLAYING UP.

Former_StepChange_Rachel

bpm91 wrote: »

Hi there.

While i was working away i recieved a letter from HMRC with regards to underpayments on my tax and that i owe them £956.00 and this payment is required immediately. Now i wasnt home when this letter arrived so i missed the cut off date for reply and now i have another saying this payment is required ASAP before further action is taken. Now i managed to get in touch with them once i got back and set up an arrangement to repay over 2 months which is all they would accept of £478 now they took the first payment straight away which made me miss my payment to StepChange and looks like ill miss the next payment too. Im now worried that my DMP will be cancelled cause i've had a few bad months where i've made a less payment or no payment due to circumstances occuring. I dont know what to do

Hi there, thank you for posting,

Can you please get in touch with us and we’ll be able to discuss this further? HMRC debts are what we consider a priority, so we would need to make sure any outstanding balance you have with them is dealt with.

We will always endeavour to support you when something like this arises out of the blue. The sooner you can update our DMP team on the situation, the sooner we can assess what your best course of action is in regards to your unsecured debt.

Please rest assured that we’ll do all we can to help.

Best regards

Rachel

Former_StepChange_Rachel

bunahilga wrote: »

I have recently declared a huge amount of net income in order to get a mortgage. Problem iS noW the hmrc WANT PAYING AND ARE STARTING TO ASK FOR ALL MY FINANCIAL DETAILS. I HAVENT BOUGHT THE HOUSE YET SO HAVE QUITE A LARGE SUM IN THE BANK FOR A DEPOSIT. CAN THE HMRC SEIZE THIS? IM STILL A COUPLE OF GRAND SHORT OF THE DEPOSIT,SO WILL NEED A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO BUY THE HOIUSE.I'M WORRIED THE HMRC WILL SEIZE MY DEPOSIT BEFORE I HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THE MORTGAGE! EXCUSE THE CAPITALS. KEYBOARDS PLAYING UP.

Hi there, thank you for getting in touch.

From our standpoint, it is always recommended that you deal with HMRC debts as soon as possible. HMRC are what we would consider a priority, and non-payment could lead to further enforcement such as bailiffs and an attachment on your earnings, meaning that HMRC could deduct money from your wage to pay the balance.

Best regards

Rachel

Cheops0119

Hi,

First time poster, long time user. I am currently being pursued for a mortgage shortfall on a property that my ex-wife and I owned. Here is the story.

My ex-wife and I separated in Jan 2010 and I left the property. The mortgage at the time was £90,000.00. I continued to pay the mortgage until I lost my job in November 2010 when it became untenable. The payment process was transferred to my ex-wife who paid when she was able to do so, but she also then left the property and was renting, so the mortgage became impossible for her to pay also.

In October 2014 we applied for a mortgage shortfall and were able to sell the house for £84,000. However, the mortgage had increased over the period from £90,000 to £98,500. I didn't receive statements from the lender anymore so was not aware of the increase and don't know the make-up of it. The lender also added fees for the sale of the house and commission totaling approximately £2,500. The mortgage shortfall was therefore now at an approx. value of £17,000!

I understand my ex-wife is also liable for this debt, but she does not earn much that I know of and has probably provided a statement of means to say so. I know therefore that the entire liability falls on me.

The mortgage lender has sold the debt on to a DCA who I have kept at arms length over the past few months, but am likely unable to do so for much longer.

I need advice as to whether I can negotiate the amount of the shortfall with the lender still or is the amount set in stone? Can the fees applied by the lender for the sale of the house and commission also be discussed with the lender or does everything now have to go through the DCA? I have asked them these questions but don't expect a positive answer as it's in their interests to get as much as possible.

I don't want to start making payments to the DCA until these questions are resolved.

Obviously I would also like to keep payments to the DCA as low as possible. They have asked me to complete a statement of means, I referred them to the fact I completed one for the shortfall application and the lender could provide this to them but what is your experience on monthly amounts that they would expect me to pay on this shortfall?

Any help or advice on this matter is greatly appreciated!

StepChange_Jen

Cheops0119 wrote: »

Hi,

First time poster, long time user. I am currently being pursued for a mortgage shortfall on a property that my ex-wife and I owned. Here is the story.

My ex-wife and I separated in Jan 2010 and I left the property. The mortgage at the time was £90,000.00. I continued to pay the mortgage until I lost my job in November 2010 when it became untenable. The payment process was transferred to my ex-wife who paid when she was able to do so, but she also then left the property and was renting, so the mortgage became impossible for her to pay also.

In October 2014 we applied for a mortgage shortfall and were able to sell the house for £84,000. However, the mortgage had increased over the period from £90,000 to £98,500. I didn't receive statements from the lender anymore so was not aware of the increase and don't know the make-up of it. The lender also added fees for the sale of the house and commission totaling approximately £2,500. The mortgage shortfall was therefore now at an approx. value of £17,000!

I understand my ex-wife is also liable for this debt, but she does not earn much that I know of and has probably provided a statement of means to say so. I know therefore that the entire liability falls on me.

The mortgage lender has sold the debt on to a DCA who I have kept at arms length over the past few months, but am likely unable to do so for much longer.

I need advice as to whether I can negotiate the amount of the shortfall with the lender still or is the amount set in stone? Can the fees applied by the lender for the sale of the house and commission also be discussed with the lender or does everything now have to go through the DCA? I have asked them these questions but don't expect a positive answer as it's in their interests to get as much as possible.

I don't want to start making payments to the DCA until these questions are resolved.

Obviously I would also like to keep payments to the DCA as low as possible. They have asked me to complete a statement of means, I referred them to the fact I completed one for the shortfall application and the lender could provide this to them but what is your experience on monthly amounts that they would expect me to pay on this shortfall?

Any help or advice on this matter is greatly appreciated!

Hi there,

Thanks for posting.

As you previously sold the house, the £17,000 mortgage shortfall is now an unsecured debt.

It’s understandable to be worried about dealing with creditors. However as this is an unsecured debt it means the normal debt collection process can be followed by your creditor to retrieve the debt. You can read more about this here:

http://www.stepchange.org/Debtinformationandadvice/Whatyourcreditorscando.aspx

There isn’t a set amount they’ll usually take for repayments as monthly repayment rates often vary. It’s likely this will be based on your own personal budget.

If you need advice about making repayments, you might find it beneficial to give our Helpline a call.


Our advisors will be happy to have a chat with you about your debts, income and budget to help find a solution to repay the debt that suits you.
You can find out how to get in touch with our helpline here:

http://www.stepchange.org/Contactus.aspx

The amount you owe isn’t set in stone because sometimes lenders are willing to accept a reduced amount as a full and final settlement, if you offer them a lump sum. They don’t have to accept the offer but they may be willing to negotiate. If they do come to an agreement with you it’s best to make sure you get everything confirmed in writing before making any payments.

In terms of dealing with the fees added during the repossession process, lenders are entitled to add these but there’s nothing stopping you investigating where the costs were incurred and if they were reasonable. If there’s anything you find that you’re unhappy with you can investigate this with the mortgage company and make a complaint if necessary.

I hope this helps,

Jen

mandyh42

Hi weve been on our dmp for 4 years with stepchange and have paid over 20k, we still have 30k left and its going to run for 6ish more years if we keep paying at the same rate. We may be coming into 20k .....I wonder how likely it is that we could clear ALL our debts with !!!!!! ? Could stepchange help with this ? Im worried that we may open ourselves up to problems if we show our hand and they refuse. Our biggest debt of 14k is with sainsburys the rest our relatively small but there are lots of them. Thanks for any advice.