Merton Baliffs

sjharrington1

Hi

I don't know where to turn and I am very concerned. I currently have £2000 worth of parking fines that are being managed by Merton Baliffs, they have been knocking over the last few months however I have never come across them as I am always at work when they call. I asked how much they would be willing to accept on a monthly basis to clear the debt and they informed me that it would be £192 a month. I knew when I accepted that there was no way that I could pay this but to keep them off my back for a few weeks I went ahead with it. The payment was due on Friday and I have now defaulted, I am sure they will be knocking again soon. Is there anything I can do - I can afford £50 a month but when I offered it previously they laughed and said there was no way that would be accepted. I have tried to talk to the council but they have said the debt is out of there hands. Any assistance would be gratefully accepted.

Thanks

HappyMJ

sjharrington1 wrote: »

Hi

I don't know where to turn and I am very concerned. I currently have £2000 worth of parking fines that are being managed by Merton Baliffs, they have been knocking over the last few months however I have never come across them as I am always at work when they call. I asked how much they would be willing to accept on a monthly basis to clear the debt and they informed me that it would be £192 a month. I knew when I accepted that there was no way that I could pay this but to keep them off my back for a few weeks I went ahead with it. The payment was due on Friday and I have now defaulted, I am sure they will be knocking again soon. Is there anything I can do - I can afford £50 a month but when I offered it previously they laughed and said there was no way that would be accepted. I have tried to talk to the council but they have said the debt is out of there hands. Any assistance would be gratefully accepted.

Thanks

The problem with parking tickets is that it implies you have a car. Bailiffs like cars they can be easily removed to cover the debt.

The car...do you own it outright? Is it on HP?

They can just come and take it so you either need to sell it or come to an agreement.

You'll need to post a SOA on here but you'll need to prioritize this debt over any other unsecured debt that you have so put £1 per month as the payments to all of your other unsecured creditors...not paying this can lead to the loss of your car which will be sold at a knock down price at auction and you still have debt.

And....stop parking in council car parking spaces where you could get penalties. And....if you do get any more penalties appeal them all.

edit: thought the post was familiar. I responded to you last time...Car is on HP. Still....you need to sort this as a matter of priority.

sjharrington1

Hi

Thanks you actually helped me with another baliff issue I had, that was to do with court fines and the clamp and stat dec has been made, this is another issue. I have been unwell for a while and have just ignored all these issues but am starting to try and sort them out.

Do you still want me to post the SOA - I have other priority debts including council tax arrears that I am currently paying off and rent arrears!! Horrible realisation of how bad it has all got!!1

HappyMJ

sjharrington1 wrote: »

Hi

Thanks you actually helped me with another baliff issue I had, that was to do with court fines and the clamp and stat dec has been made, this is another issue. I have been unwell for a while and have just ignored all these issues but am starting to try and sort them out.

Do you still want me to post the SOA - I have other priority debts including council tax arrears that I am currently paying off and rent arrears!! Horrible realisation of how bad it has all got!!1

If you can post the SOA then do so. As you are effectively insolvent just put down £1 per month as the minimum payment for all of your creditors.

As you know priority debts are court fines (could go prison and BR will not write these off), rent (could lose roof over your head), council tax (also could go prison but much less likely than a court fine), council imposed penalties (could lose car or other assets). With any of those debts outstanding you can't afford your other unsecured debts so the only option is to pay them £1 a month for the next few years.

You need to make sure you have enough in your budget to pay your current rent, your current council tax, enough to put a good balanced meal on the table every day, enough to get to/from work (only work-nothing else but you need to include all the expenses to do with either a moderate car or public transport), enough for the gas and electricity before considering almost anything else. Other important expenses are TV licence (but you can do without), landline and broadband (can do without but it saves money by giving you the ability to search for better deals), a basic mobile (can do without but you need a PAYG phone to be contacted by employers to get work), water (they can't cut you off but they can get a CCJ against you) and any insurance that you need.

sourcrates

Hi,
Stay off the phone to these people, put your offer of payment in writing, include an SOA, show them it's all you can afford.

Must easier to flick someone off on the phone, more difficult when they have written facts in front of them.

You should always deal with any debt matters in writing, then you have a paper trail.

sjharrington1

Thanks - I tried this and sent them an email but they completely ignored me and said that they were just going to come to the house to collect items.

National_Debtline

Hi SJ


The first thing to remember is that these bailiffs can not force entry to your home. Even if the car is on hire purchase as appears to be the case, it probably keeps things simpler if you park it out of sight ahead of any visit they may make.


Secondly, whether they acknowledge your emails or not, start making the payments you have offered. You should be able to do so at https://www.civicaepay.co.uk/merton/webpay_public/webpay/default.aspx?fund=05


using the reference number which normally appears on any bailiff correspondence you will have received. You will just keep going around in circles with them if you wait for them to "accept" your offer.


You may find our fact sheet on parking penalties useful:


https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/33%20EW%20Penalty%20charge%20notices%20%28PCNs%29%20for%20parking/Default.aspx


Dennis
@natdebtline