Own house outright, but have zero money, can I be forced to sell?

chipolatta

Hi all,
Just a scenario that I might find myself in if things carry on the way they are going.  Basically, due to the inability to make any money now, (and circumstances have lead to the the only benefit I can claim being child benefit) and with a very bleak looking future for myself, I'm wondering if I can't pay my bills, council tax, or anything in the future, will I be forced to sell my house which I now own outright?
If I can't pay for anything, my debts will rack-up, I would think my power, water and gas will be cut off, bailiffs would take my TV, bed and car, but the council tax will still accumulate, so where does that lead me?
Hey-ho,
Chipper

Comms69

Not sure how that's possible with benefits? But ok. 

If you were to be made bankrupt, yes the house could be sold. 

Water cannot be cut off ever. and power and gas not likely if youve got kids.

Ultimately you're looking at several years down the line

AdrianC

Council tax can lead to you going to prison.

Other debts can merely lead to a charge being placed against your property, although your trustee in bankruptcy may decide that your creditors are best served by it being sold.

https://www.gov.uk/bankruptcy/your-home

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/debt-solutions/bankruptcy-2/is-bankruptcy-right-for-you/will-you-lose-your-home-bankruptcy/

RAS

This really needs to go over to the debt boards. Ask sourcrates to move it?

chipolatta

Sourcrates, can you move this thread to the debt board please.

-taff

@sourcrates

kazwookie

Can you get a job if only part time to help get some money?

macman

You need to prioritise your debts. In the absence of rent or a mortgage, Council Tax is the first priority, since it's a statutory debt. As others have said, water is never cut off from residential properties, and gas/electricity rarely, except with persistent fraud. Phone and broadband, yes, they will disconnect eventually. Much more likely that the energy supplier will just install PPM's and put you on a repayment schedule to recover any debt.
Nor do bailiffs remove beds and TV's, as the auction value is near to zero anyway. If a creditor were to be awarded a judgement against you, they certainly would try to seize your car, but they can only do this if it's not on finance.

AdrianC

macman said:

If a creditor were to be awarded a judgement against you, they certainly would try to seize your car, but they can only do this if it's not on finance.

And, if it was, it'd almost certainly be repossessed by the financier.

MovingForwards

What was your income before? Self-employment and in something that hasn't started back up?

Why are you only entitled to CB? Why not UC etc? Have you checked the entitled to website?

How many children do you have and what are their ages nursery age? Primary? Secondary?

Do you have a partner who lives with you?

Splatfoot

If you have a child which you do as you've said you have child benefit,  you'll be entitled to child tax credits.