Need help again please, just want to give up.

CurlySue2017

EssexHebridean wrote: »

It's EXACTLY the place for that sort of post Sue - and there is no need to compare yourself with others either, that's not helpful. Sure there are probably people out there who are tens of thousands of pounds in debt but don't give a stuff about it - there are others who feel uncomfortable about having to stick their car MoT Test on a card because they don't have the money in the bank - it's a very individual thing though.

Do you need to find tiny treats you can factor in here and there to reward particular milestones? Could be as simple as taking an hour to yourselves to sit in a cafe with a cuppa, nothing big, but just stuff that means that for a while you feel a bit more like you're doing the things that "normal" people can do? We've long said on here - if you're in debt clearing for the long term you definitely need to factor in some fun stuff as well as the slog.

Thank you for your kind post To be honest, we don't really do anything.....I mean we do the necessary things like going to do the food shopping and things like that, we are not complete hermits but things "just for fun" we don't do.

Things have really got on top of us (me especially) so we tend to just stay in the house which I know doesn't help, but I can't muster the energy to go out when even a simple thing like a meal requires a big discussion about whether we can afford it or not.....it just takes the enjoyment out of everything. I have seen my GP and I am getting help with this but it's slow progress because each time one hurdle is jumped, another one is stuck in front of us and we fall down again.

I have put a letter together today in response to the HA and if someone could tell me whether this sounds acceptable or not, or if anything needs to be added or taken out, I would be very grateful:

[FONT=&quot]I have received your reply to my request dated *******, a copy of which is enclosed for reference.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]You have requested that I provide my e-mail address and contact number to enable you to verify my identity and complete this request. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Please be advised that these details do not serve to identify me in any way and I only wish to communicate on this matter in writing.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I have provided a reasonable amount of information for you to be able to identify me and therefore ask that my data access request be completed without delay.[/FONT]

Please be aware that if my request is not completed, I am entitled to contact the Information Commissioner and the Local Government Ombudsman.

EssexHebridean

Going to leave others to comment on the specifics here but on the more general part of your post, maybe do some looking into what stuff you could do for free locally, even if it's just nice places to walk - to keep it completely free you can take a flask of tea or coffee and some home made cake and treat yourselves in a totally MSE way. If you don't want to physically go somewhere how about making the cake anyway, putting a nice cloth on your table and doing a sort of "cafe at home" where you take an hour to yourselves just to sit and talk about non-money related stuff?

CurlySue2017

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Going to leave others to comment on the specifics here but on the more general part of your post, maybe do some looking into what stuff you could do for free locally, even if it's just nice places to walk - to keep it completely free you can take a flask of tea or coffee and some home made cake and treat yourselves in a totally MSE way. If you don't want to physically go somewhere how about making the cake anyway, putting a nice cloth on your table and doing a sort of "cafe at home" where you take an hour to yourselves just to sit and talk about non-money related stuff?

Doing something at home sounds like a great idea, thanks! We also have lots of places close by where we could enjoy a walk so I will give that a try too, I just have to muster up the motivation to go Some days I do better than others so will aim for the good days and take it from there.

Thank you again for your post, I do really appreciate it.


If anyone could comment on the letter please I would be very grateful, I would like to get it sent today.

sourcrates

Letter is good.

I would also add a paragraph telling them if they are so sure of their position, to bring the matter before a court where they will be required to provide evidence of liability.
Note, any such action will be vigorously defended on the basis no debt exists.

Either follow the legal process or never contact me again about this matter.
Call their bluff.

CurlySue2017

Thank you again, the letter has been posted today so I will update again with any further developments.

CurlySue2017

HampshireH wrote: »

Hey

Do you know when the tenancy ended?

£100 sounds about right for a gas court order - thats a possibility. Injunction costs to allow access for an annual service?

Not saying it is that but its a possibility. They would be applied regardless of the account having stayed in good order.

I appreciate he thought he took his name off but the factors I mentioned above are reasons why it may not have happened.

I can understand why would to just clear it for him.

I also completely understand why you have put everything into writing. I just find that when dealing with this sort of thing from a housing perspective speaking to someone face to face and walking away with the paperwork there and then sometimes makes things easier and quicker. Though I would then follow it up in writing but at least he would have the basics to work with.

If he shows ID and he is in their offices the easiest option for them is to produce the info relating to the debt and the tenancy.

The data request is still valid in the background

Apologies, I never really answered this post......

According to the HA the tenancy ended at some point in 2016 (I don't have the exact date in front of me, but it is on their letter). He moved out years earlier and the ex stayed on, presumably up until this date.

The statements that they sent following our "prove it" letter show that at the point that the tenancy ended, the balance was in fact in credit and then somewhere during 2017, a charge of £100 simply appears and these arrears that they are now chasing have built up from there.

Now to me that makes no sense - how can they hold him (or his ex for that matter) responsible for any amounts after the tenancy was finished - when they have confirmed the end date in writing.

Their local office is long gone, so visiting them is not really an option unfortunately.

CurlySue2017

Another letter received yesterday, this time more threatening, headed "letter before legal proceedings"

It basically says that despite previous letters, they have not had any contact from OH and if they do not hear within 7 days, they will instruct debt collectors. They have absolutely heard from us, we have proof that we have written back to every one of their letters.

And guess what? The amount that they are demanding this time is different AGAIN......that's three maybe four letters they have sent now with a different amount on each one!!

Also, they have failed to provide anything following the SAR request, all they did was write back asking for OH to contcat them by phone or e-mail with more details.



You may be able to tell from the "tone" of my post that I am utterly sick of this now and it is really affecting both of us.

The amount on this letter is lower so I'm tempted to just pay it on my own credit card simply to get rid of them, but what if that's not the end of it and they come back again, saying that there's more to pay because I don't think that they even know what they are chasing??!!

Could anyone advise what our next steps should be please? (Besides ending it all because I just can't deal with this anymore) Both with regard to the alleged debt and the unanswered SAR?

ryanm8655

I’d call them explaining and demand to speak to a manager, if they can’t sort it then ask for their boss etc.

This has worked for me in getting things sorted with government organisations.

Express your frustrations while appreciating it isn’t the call handlers fault.

monetxchange

Okay, I'm not an expert on these things, and someone will advise you further soon I'm sure. BUT just wanted to recommend you don't just pay off what they're asking for today. It seems like they've no idea what they're doing, and you can almost guarantee they'll pop up again claiming it's now more or they haven't received payment. It'll only cause more stress, and possibly lose you money. Just hold fast. You're doing completely the right thing so far by engaging in the way you have.

CurlySue2017

Thank you both, we are just worried about holding on because of extra charges being added on and we definitely do not want it to go to debt collection.


I'm terrified after everything that's happened already.