Friend struggling and unpaid water bill

FlaatusGoat

My friend is about to be moving out because he can't afford the rent, i.e going homeless. He'll be moving in with a friend thankfully. He's got an unpaid water bill and is obviously worried about CCJ. Having said that, he's never gone on the electoral register, taken any credit in his current address or anything. I presume the CCJ will go against him at his present address which he'll no longer live at and will be irrelevant. He's convinced me he'll pay but it begs the question (and from the utilities point of view) what if....?

molerat

A CCJ will go against HIS credit file, not the address. It will follow him wherever he goes.

sourcrates

But, it`s unlikely to be enforced, due to his circumstances, so it will sit there for 6 years.

I`d be more worried about where I was going to sleep tonight than any stupid court judgement, It`s just a court judgement, it`s not the end of the world.

I expect he has more urgent issues to contend with at present than a CCJ.

FlaatusGoat

molerat said:

A CCJ will go against HIS credit file, not the address. It will follow him wherever he goes.

How will it follow him? He's got a fairly common first and surname. Joe Blogs, Xxxxxx address. Surely he could be anyone?

sourcrates said:

But, it`s unlikely to be enforced, due to his circumstances, so it will sit there for 6 years.

I`d be more worried about where I was going to sleep tonight than any stupid court judgement, It`s just a court judgement, it`s not the end of the world.

I expect he has more urgent issues to contend with at present than a CCJ.

Apparently he only owes £70 or something. I guess he won't be taking out any mobile contracts, borrowing any money or getting a mortgage in 6 years or is that an over simplification?

Floss

Tell your friend to urgently contact his water supplier and ask for their hardship team. Many water suppliers have a payment matching scheme where they will match your debt repayment £ for £.

sourcrates

I think this is a massive over reaction for £70, as floss says, contact the supplier, explain the circumstances, they won`t take money off someone who is homeless.

enthusiasticsaver

I think he needs to worry about his homelessness rather than this unpaid water bill.  Just tell your friend to contact his water company and explain he cannot pay it. They wont go to court for £70.

fatbelly

I agree with the above. Water is a non-profit debt because they can't cut you off.

He needs to get secure accommodation somewhere. Is the 'moving in with a friend' a long-term arrangement or is he effectively sofa surfing?

Can he get any help through Universal Credit with the rent? Has he actually received any notice yet from his landlord?

enthusiasticsaver

I have just realised the date of the OP is over a month ago so presumably things have now moved on anyway.