DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 11

Sazzie23

Hi ladyM

Glad to hear the bathroom is done, yes sometimes it does go quiet, other times I can't keep up with all the posts.

I've been a bit busy with one the or another and now my back is playing up so I've been uncomfortable typing, but I've submitted to the power of tramadol and now can lay in relative comfort (or not too much discomfort) so I'm having a little catch up.

If we did a DMP FAQ section, what questions would you want answered?

Saz

System

Hi Lady M. Great news on bathroom. Hope you've allowed yourself a lovely soak.

Finally my print block has arrived so I can print out letters to creditors - it's all finally happening. Gulp.

Sazzie - Hope you are not in too much pain.
Questions I would like answered are: a bit of a summary by different business just so I was prepared for how good (or bad) some creditors could be - I know this would be different on a case by case basis, but there seems to be a general trend when you read through the threads and I guess periodically you could sense check it with everyone to see if it still runs true....

A bit of a process flow to show difference of going via SC (or other) Vs going self-managed - so something that highlights the pros and cons of each

It would also be great to have a few case studies / summaries to illustrates how DMP has worked for some people e.g. Joe Blog, Debt £10,000 via SC, how long is plan for, how's it's gone / going and any bumps / learnings along the way?

There's probably more - I'll get my thinking cap on.

make_the_change

ramblehan wrote: »

Hi Lady M. Great news on bathroom. Hope you've allowed yourself a lovely soak.

Finally my print block has arrived so I can print out letters to creditors - it's all finally happening. Gulp.

Sazzie - Hope you are not in too much pain.
Questions I would like answered are: a bit of a summary by different business just so I was prepared for how good (or bad) some creditors could be - I know this would be different on a case by case basis, but there seems to be a general trend when you read through the threads and I guess periodically you could sense check it with everyone to see if it still runs true....

A bit of a process flow to show difference of going via SC (or other) Vs going self-managed - so something that highlights the pros and cons of each

It would also be great to have a few case studies / summaries to illustrates how DMP has worked for some people e.g. Joe Blog, Debt £10,000 via SC, how long is plan for, how's it's gone / going and any bumps / learnings along the way?

There's probably more - I'll get my thinking cap on.

I am at the start of my DMP, literally this month and originally was going to use SC but after lots of advice on here, decided to go self-managed. I completed the SC I&E sheet to make sure I gave myself wiggle room, and then transferred those figures over to the NEDCAB site. Went through that step by step, it generated the letters and I sent to my creditors.

Four out of five have replied and accepted my I&E and offer of repayment. Most are going to review in 6 months and have stopped charges and interest. One creditor who I thought were going to stop interest (B@rclaycard) have sent a letter to say 'thank you for the payment, we will reduce the interest' so I need to dig out my old paperwork to check over this.

Apart from that, its been relatively easy, creditors were quick to respond, never challenged anything and havent hassled me... fingers crossed this continues!

System

Thanks MaketheC- that's so encouraging! I will check out the NEDCAB website as was going to do it all off my own back!

LadyMorticia

LadyMorticia wrote: »

Hey everyone.

Our bathroom is finally finished! Woohoo!

With regards to creditors, Vanquis were very quick to issue a default and to stop interest etc and have accepted SC's offer. However, they've said that my minimum payment of £6.44 (which is the amount that will be going to them from my monthly payment to SC) is due on the 27th June, but my DMP doesn't start until 1st July.

Should I pay this payment for June myself or should I explain to them that my DMP doesn't kick in until July?

Does anyone have any advice on the above, please?

In other news, had an awful day. Let's just say our HA is rubbish and three times I told them that our kitchen leak is more than just the stop tap leaking and twice they have sent the contractor out just with the info 'stop tap is leaking' and both times the work hasn't been able to be done because the leak is actually comping from inside the wall. Our floor is water damaged and the kitchen units are going to have to be ripped out too so the leak can be fixed and the contractor said that we might have to be put into temporary accommodation whilst the work is done as it will take way more than the hour they were given by the HA!

It's been booked in for Wednesday morning and I hope this guy doesn't turn up and say he can't do it! I know it's not their fault. They just have the info that their bosses give them. The guy who came today was so nice and apologetic and encouraged me to complain to the HA, which I have done. I'm not usually one to complain. Quite the contrary. I usually 'put up and shut up' but with everything else that's going on at the moment, it's like the straw that broke the camel's back.

It's stress I can do without.

System

Hi Lady M - I think I would call them and explain your DMP starts 1st July to that's when they will receive the payment?
Sounds like you are having a nightmare. House renovations are stressful at the best of times, but it sounds like what has happened to you totally sucks. I think it's great that you have complained- They definitely need to see what they can do to sort for you - and if you don't ask / or stamp your feet you may not get.

A quick question - in case anyone can help?
I am just about to send out my letters - got my SOA sorted - thanks NEDCAB and MaketheC....but I wanted to just pay £1 for the first couple of months to help me build an emergency fund......so my letter says that - and says I will start paying £150/month in three months time.....but my SOA clearly shows I can pay £150 a month from now? Does this matter? Or would I be better off ringing them up and offering them a token payment? Confused.com

make_the_change

ramblehan wrote: »

Hi Lady M - I think I would call them and explain your DMP starts 1st July to that's when they will receive the payment?
Sounds like you are having a nightmare. House renovations are stressful at the best of times, but it sounds like what has happened to you totally sucks. I think it's great that you have complained- They definitely need to see what they can do to sort for you - and if you don't ask / or stamp your feet you may not get.

A quick question - in case anyone can help?
I am just about to send out my letters - got my SOA sorted - thanks NEDCAB and MaketheC....but I wanted to just pay £1 for the first couple of months to help me build an emergency fund......so my letter says that - and says I will start paying £150/month in three months time.....but my SOA clearly shows I can pay £150 a month from now? Does this matter? Or would I be better off ringing them up and offering them a token payment? Confused.com

Others would be best to advise but I would probably not send your I&E just yet if you want to make token payments. Otherwise they might start challenging why. There is a template letter somewhere regarding token payments and I just used the excuse I was working with SC and things were still being sorted. That was my delay tactic and worked fine. As I say, I am sure someone else would be better to advise but thats my thoughts and didnt want to read and run x

System

Have tweaked the letter to as follows: Will this be OK? Should I be clear now that I want to pay token amounts for 2-3 months or just wait for their response

Letter text:

I am currently experiencing financial difficulties and as such I am unable to maintain my contractual obligations to you. However, my desire is to pay off my debts and I am currently able to make a token payment of £1 in repayment of my debt to you.
I would be grateful if you would help me make a full assessment of the current financial situation by providing me with up to date account details. It would also be appreciated if interest/charges were stopped and any recovery action suspended, pending satisfactory payment arrangements.
When I have received all up-to-date balances, I will draft a financial statement / offer and forward to you for your consideration and acceptance with an early response being appreciated.
Your assistance and co-operation would be greatly appreciated
The token payment will be made on the 25th of this month.
I respectfully request:
1. Confirmation that you agree to the above short term offer.
2. Confirmation that you agree to stop interest and charges.
3. Confirmation of the balance outstanding.
4. Reference details and address for sending payments.
Your earliest response would be appreciated.
Yours faithfully,

System

Thanks Make the C - how long were you able to drag it out for?
Looking at what we've got coming in this month, we won't be able to set anything aside for emergency fund, it will all have to go off clearing the two hali CC which I don't want to include in the DMP as we bank with them....hey ho.

make_the_change

ramblehan wrote: »

Thanks Make the C - how long were you able to drag it out for?
Looking at what we've got coming in this month, we won't be able to set anything aside for emergency fund, it will all have to go off clearing the two hali CC which I don't want to include in the DMP as we bank with them....hey ho.

Five months I dragged mine out for.... they would freeze account for 30 days and then I used the same excuse to delay again or added I had something big to fork out for on top of it. The calls I just ignored!