Do I have to do this?

MardyMinnie

I made a payment offer in writing to Cabot for what I could afford. Just had letter saying they are happy to accept that amount but still want me to fill out a budget planner on their website. I don't want to do this and now have their bank details to set up a standing order. Should I just write back reiterating it's all I can afford right now and that I have now sent up SO for them to receive payment? I don't want it to escalate to a CCJ.

cymruchris

It's good they've accepted your offer. If it's genuinely what you can afford - then shouldn't filling in the budget planner show that? And by doing so, you then make the agreed payment, and the matter is closed? They likely want a record to show that they've looked at your ins and outs when coming to the agreement you've proposed.

MardyMinnie

cymruchris said:

It's good they've accepted your offer. If it's genuinely what you can afford - then shouldn't filling in the budget planner show that? And by doing so, you then make the agreed payment, and the matter is closed? They likely want a record to show that they've looked at your ins and outs when coming to the agreement you've proposed.

It is. I guess I'm just worried they won't agree and will want to leave me short every month.

cymruchris

MardyMinnie said:

cymruchris said:

It's good they've accepted your offer. If it's genuinely what you can afford - then shouldn't filling in the budget planner show that? And by doing so, you then make the agreed payment, and the matter is closed? They likely want a record to show that they've looked at your ins and outs when coming to the agreement you've proposed.

It is. I guess I'm just worried they won't agree and will want to leave me short every month.

If you show on their planner that you have close to next to nothing left over after paying your essentials/monthly commitments etc. - then I can't see that they'd expect 'more' from you, if 'more' didn't exist.

sparks_2023

I'd just fill in the planner and overestimate the cost of petrol etc.

backinbusiness

You are not obliged to fill in a statement of affairs.  So don't.

cymruchris

backinbusiness said:

You are not obliged to fill in a statement of affairs.  So don't.

Might they then not accept the offer proposed? (I don't know as I've not tried negotiating personally in a similar situation - Just because you're not obliged to do it - would it make life easier if it was?). If the OP compiled a statement of affairs including a generous safety margin that the OP says would show that their disposable income is limited - so more likely the company would be then happy to accept the OP's proposal?

EssexHebridean

Nope - you don't have to fill in anything at all. they've accepted that offer, so just go ahead and make the agreed payments. (I assume that the debt has already defaulted?) 

Hoenir

Reticence in the financial world suggests there's something being hidden.  A flag to dig deeper. 

Floss

Hoenir said:

Reticence in the financial world suggests there's something being hidden.  A flag to dig deeper. 

Reticence to share information that is not needed?

DisabledDan

MardyMinnie said:

I made a payment offer in writing to Cabot for what I could afford. Just had letter saying they are happy to accept that amount but still want me to fill out a budget planner on their website. I don't want to do this and now have their bank details to set up a standing order. Should I just write back reiterating it's all I can afford right now and that I have now sent up SO for them to receive payment? I don't want it to escalate to a CCJ.

Just tell them you are making a contribution and they can either accept it or not, in the event of the latter you will get a debt relief order and they will be prevented from chasing the debt.  This may be a bluff based on your circumstances but speak to one of the debt relief charities if you are seeking a debt solution.

If you have no assets or a mortgage or any plans to get one a DRO is an option for when it is extremely unlikely you will ever be able to pay off the debt because your circumstances are not going to change.  It takes a year during which time you can't be chased, after that the DRO is granted if things are the same.  The limit is £30k.