Can Anyone Help? Any Advice Welcome Please

kelstar1973

Hi first of all thanks for reading. I have looked many times at posts here and been to scared to ask for advice but the time has come where i cant ignore anymore. If anyone has any advice i would really appreciate it.
I work part time and i am a single parent.
I earn £100 a week
I get £130 in credits

My rent is £90 a week
gas/electric £15 weekly
Phone £5 weekly
Tv license £5 weekly
Food £20 weekly
Council tax £50 monthly
Petrol £15 weekly

I am in rather a lot of trouble with my debts and have the b word banging on my door!
Go debt £6000
Provident £800
Abbey national £450
Water £500
Capital one £600
Rossendales £500

The one im really scared about and dont know what to do about is whyte and co for council tax that my ex should of paid but didnt over 3 years its 3,500
The baliff wouldnt accept a payment every month. I dont know what to do spoke to abacus finance they can help me but cant help with the council tax bill. I thought about going bancrupt but cant afford the fees. Its a never ending circle. Im scared of comeing home from work and finding my house ransacked after baliffs have took my things(not that they are worth anything) i have to wait for an appointment to see the finance helper at citizen advice any advice gratefully received as i said i have been offered a payment plan with abacus and are sending me details and contract any advice on these people? Thanks again for reading

Teacher2301

I have had some dealings with unpaid council tax - I thought it was included in my rent when I moved in - no bill came through so great I thought - when until 3 years later, I was sent a bill! Have you contacted your council? Go through to the debt payment service and explain the situation. They will have a record of who lived at the address at the time and if you both cohabited - both of you will be liable for the debt. Then get the council to chase your ex for payments rather than lumbering you with full payment. The council normally reduces payments (well they did for me) - not to sure why but I was told because I was paying the debt - they reduced the amount.

Are you now single (ie living on your own - I'm not trying to pull ) and do you pay the single rate or still paying the full whack - if you're earning credits can you not apply for council tax benefit as well?

kelstar1973

hi thanks for quick reply! Im living on my own with my young daughter.And in regards to tax bill i sort of never told them he was actually living with me. Stupid now i know. I get a discount on my currant bill

corsagirl_2

Bailiffs cannot force entry but can gain entry through unlocked doors, windows etc. If you have signed something called a walking possession then they can make legal entry (often with police in tow). You also don't have to let them in.

However if you don't have £3500 grand in goods to distrain on it maybe worth speaking to bailiff (can they look through a window to see?) as if effects are poor then they may return to the Council for further action.

The Council won't usually intervene once at bailiffs, but have you spoken to them - don't get to this stage again, speak to the Council as soon as you get a letter first reminder etc from them.

Is debt in your name or joint names? If in joint names and you know where your ex is then pass his address onto the bailiffs!

Have you claimed Council Tax/Housing benefit or had your claim checked lately if your circs have changed, again contact the Council.