Sick to death of being in debt.

mrsm990

I don't know where to turn or what to do anymore. 
Both myself and husband are in debt. It's been ongoing for a few years but worse since he lost his job due to Covid. 
I've been to step change, completed the budget/debt plan also been on the phone for 1hr40mins trying to figure out a way to reduce costs but even our everyday costs outweigh what we have incoming each month so what the hell can I offer sent companies that we owe. 
The out come of the debt advice is to ask for a payment suspension. 

We have a car on HP that we cannot afford, and can't lose either due to living rural, and the kids school being a 20minite  drive away. 
The advice is to offer the HP company £1 per month. 

Offer the enforcement agency that now has control over an old council tax debt £1 per month. ( I offered them £50 previously - which I cannot afford, but wanted them to leave us alone) they said no. No way will they accept £1 

They said as these are enforcement they cannot enter the property or anything as they haven't been sent by the court.  Is that right? 

Lady on the phone was lovely to be fair but even without the debt we cannot afford to live so what the hell can I do. 

sourcrates

Hi,

Even Bailiffs sent by a court cannot forcibly enter private property unless they have a writ of possession (only applicable to repossessions) or they are chasing certain magistrates court fines, bailiffs chasing unpaid council tax do so under a liability order obtained by the council.

However you must keep the door locked, as they can enter through an unlocked door.

Do you want to tell us a little bit more about your situation, for instance are you a homeowner or do you rent ?

mrsm990

Thank you for that. 
The lady said as they are not sent via the court they can only enter if invited in. 
Not even through an unlocked door/ window. This only applies to enforcement sent by the court. Which I did think was incorrect so thought I would ask. 

We privately rent and that's up to date
Council tax for this property is also up to date. 
Our incoming each month is £1643.73 
Outgoings (including HP) £2128.30
Available for debts -£483.58 

I've cut down on everything I possibly can so I just do not know what to do now 

tacpot12

I think you need better debt advice than you have received already. I would call your local Citizens Advice office and see if they can give you advice over the phone. They have funding for this from the government. 

mrsm990

Thank you. I will call them tomorrow. 
I just feel like nobody can suggest anything to help if I'm honest. 
We looked into a DRO however it doesn't change the fact that even without debt we cannot afford to live. 
Plus on step change this says it is not advised and neither is going bankrupt. 
The only thing they are backing is a payment suspension and I just cannot see 
Money barn HP 
Enforcement for old council tax 
And others accepting £1 per month 😢

Hoorah

I think your husband needs to find a job, any job. Working in a supermarket etc. Even if it was part time it would surely help if your income alone is £1600.

sourcrates

No that’s not true, bailiffs, no matter who sent them, will make peaceful entry through an unlocked door, if they can.

Make no mistake you must learn to live within the budget you have, a statement of affairs may give us more insight, if it’s the car that’s too expensive then it has to go, buy something cheaper for cash saved from not paying your unsecured credit debts, then do a DRO, if you can.

There is always a solution, you just have to make the changes to find the best remedy for your circumstances.
It can be done, but it requires work on your part.
SOA link here ~

https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php

mrsm990

Thank you both. 
Regarding my husband and working, he has always worked. Unfortunately he lost his job the day before furlough and has been applying every day since. He hates not working so a job asap is definitely what we want. 

You are right about the car. I know it's our biggest outlay that is holding us back from getting on track. It's just with a family as big as ours we need a large car and this is ideal however if we don't pay it's going to end up going anyway. 
I will complete the form above tomorrow. 
Other than the car, which obviously has the insurance, tax and petrol also on top. 
There really is nowhere else to cut corners. I will sort that out asap. Thank you. 

fatbelly

Have you checked your benefits?

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Beginner-s-Guide-to-Benefits/Checking-benefit-entitlement

BabyStepper

Sorry to hear things are difficult just now. You're getting good advice here, I just wanted to add that while you're figuring out a way forward, make sure to make your priority payments first, rent, council tax, gas and electricity and food. Unsecured debt is not a priority and they will just need to wait until your plan is in place. 

Good luck and keep posting.  

Galloglass

we need a large car and this is ideal

What is the actual arrangement on the car? Do you actually own it with a loan secured against it, or is it a PCP with ownership being transferred at the end? It makes a difference to your options.

Also how far into the loan are you 25%, 50% etc and what is the outstanding balance?