Hello - Questions

CatsDontBounce

Hello all.
I have begun reading the forum postings, recently, and I've found them helpful.
My position is that, I will have to apply to go bankrupt.
I incurred some hefty legal bills between 2009 -2016 ( £90k) and whilst I have sought advice, on how to proceed, some of it, was quite useless, in handling the debt.
My income is low - nowadays. I rent, have zero assets, most of my possessions, were sold to pay legal bills during some big cases. I won them all, but could not recover full costs or damages, thus the debt.

My questions:
I have debt to 3 legal firms, arrears on the water bills, - no credit cards, no borrowed debt, basic bank account the last 5 years. All other bills are up to date.
I look after my elderly mum, and we're both concerned the bankruptcy - will be advised to the landlord. I have lived here for last 16 years, and never missed a rent payment.
I have not signed a new 12 month lease, because I have become confused as to what type of lease is permitted or not? At the moment it is an ongoing rent - I could extend and sign for another 12 months.
The shame of being in this position, is considerable, I thought I could overcome it, but they have appointed bailiffs, and whilst I'm able to give them short shrift, I can't subject my mum to that, or the constant worry.
Any advice on how to complete the forms, I have done them, but as most people, I'm struggling to pay the fee. I did read on here, that the suggestion was to stop paying all, and pay the fee. It would take me almost 4 weeks to save the fee. I would be concerned about being cut off from electric or gas, or phone.

debt_doctor

Hi,


If you can show to the OR all of your up to date rent accounts then you can ask them not to contact your landlord - they will often agree to this, especially if you fear a risk to your tenancy (even though you have no arrears).


As for obtaining the fee, if you stopped paying c/tax, gas and electricity (if they are up to date) then 2 months is not enough time for those creditors to action serious enforcement - these debts would be then within your BR.
Non payment of phone bill can bring termination of service very quickly.
DD

MEM62

Before going down the BR route, are you satisfied that you have exhausted every avenue open to you to recover the awards from your litigation? Surely you would not have pursued someone through the courts, particularly at such great expense, unless you knew that they had sufficient assets to settle should you win.

CatsDontBounce

re "litigation" route.
Yes. The commercial opponent deliberately dragged the cases (18) out, over the years, to break me financially. The various judges, when their decisions were delivered, severely criticised them, for such conduct, but by the end (2016) I was in serious debt, and I could not fund lawyers to proceed for damages.
The opponents changed the status of their business,shortly afterwards.
Re the rent receipts. Thank you, I'm hopeful, that your comments, prove correct.
I have still got all the receipts.

PaulL2

I hope you don't waste money extending your lease every year. Assured shorthold tenancy periodic leases automatically become rolling ones month to month after they expire. This is law, but too often unscrupulous estate agents or unknowing landlords insist you sign a new piece of paper and pay a few hundred quid for the privilege every year.

CatsDontBounce

Thank you for the reply.
No, I can extend without any additional charge or ‘new lease / admin fee’.

maxmycardagain

I won them all, but could not recover full costs or damages, thus the debt.

Were damages worth chasing awarded?

CatsDontBounce

Yes. The opponent fought dirty and hard, because of the implications of losing (which they did comprehensively). The legal firm I used, advised after conclusion of the final case, to wait for the appeal period to expire, then they would look at the options of issuing proceedings to recover damages. So, I waited - then they stalled on me, due to size of legal bill (at that point it was more than 100k) So, although i tried every option to persuade them, they declined due to size of my account bill (they would not act further. I stated the obvious, but they wouldn't budge,
I spoke with another legal firm - whom wanted to read all 6 years of evidence and decisions before they'd consider it. They charged me 5000 for that. At that point, I decided enough was enough.,