Stuck overseas.

[Deleted User]

Councils use bailiffs, who I can assure you, you don't want on your case. Their charges are astronomical. That's the one bill I WOULD prioritise. I have my own views on councils and will reserve them here. Let's just say, as with the BBC, a 'little' issue of a pandemic won't keep them at bay. 

elsien

johnnyj1000 said:

Hi. I arrived in Greece in January 2020 with a view to staying for a couple of months. I then got caught up in the C-19 situation and am still here as there are no practicable flights to the UK and land borders are closed. 
I have a house in the UK and the bills are mounting up even though it is unoccupied, in particular (a) the council tax (b) home insurance (c) vehicle insurance and (d) utilities. I have thought many times about contacting the providers of the services to negotiate something, but my fear is that doing so will make it worse. For example, I have read that council tax can go up if a property is unoccupied; insurers may refuse/cancel cover if the property is unoccupied and ditto car insurance. I have been in touch with Shell Energy who said I need to provide meter readings in order to prove that I am not using, however that is difficult as I am in a different country right now. 
Wondering what other readers would do?
Thanks, John

What did you do about your house insurance before you left? The standard cover is often for 30 days unoccupied,  so as you may have been away longer than than before the covid restrictions kicked in, you could have a problem anyway unless you checked your cover before you left.
Has anyone been going in, checking post etc for you?  Could they provide readings? 

Galloglass

Councils use bailiffs, who I can assure you, you don't want on your case

Bailiffs are not operating at the moment. Councils can only use bailiffs after they have been granted a Liability Order and AFAIK these orders are in abeyance for the moment. So to avoid the pain that Mr F highlights when the councils start appling for orders, best make them the first on your list to contact. You still have time.

johnnyj1000

Hi everyone. Just to be clear, I am paying all of these payments in full currently, as normal. Anyway, thanks a bunch to those who felt it necessary to be judgemental about my motives without for a moment understanding my personal circumstances and decision making. I have very real reasons for being here which I could go into, but frankly I have no need to outline them here. The level of unnecessary commentary in some of the replies has genuinely astonished me.

A huge and genuine thank you to those who provided really useful feedback on the financial matters for which this site is designed. Much appreciated.
Thanks
John

Thrugelmir

Being fed the information piecemeal makes it difficult to answer objectively. 

You can enter meter readings for utilities online. That would save you some money. Even if they are guess estimates. 

Where's your vehicle parked? When's the insurance renewal due? 

Council tax has to be paid.

Property insurance is more of a problem. As the property is unoccupied. You need to speak to your insurers. Asa you may well find yourself with no cover in the event of a claim. 

silvercar

johnnyj1000 said:

Hi everyone. Just to be clear, I am paying all of these payments in full currently, as normal. Anyway, thanks a bunch to those who felt it necessary to be judgemental about my motives without for a moment understanding my personal circumstances and decision making. I have very real reasons for being here which I could go into, but frankly I have no need to outline them here. The level of unnecessary commentary in some of the replies has genuinely astonished me.

A huge and genuine thank you to those who provided really useful feedback on the financial matters for which this site is designed. Much appreciated.
Thanks
John

Frankly, it would have been better if you had just said you had private reasons why you can't return at the moment, rather than claiming that covid19 was stopping you being able to come home.