Bankruptcy questions

Sam2022

Time for an update as to what's been happening.  My health is still very poor and I am receiving hospital treatments and appointments on a regular basis.  My circumstances are the same as they were.  We receive UC at couples rate,  I get the extra amount because I am too ill to work.  My partner gets CA for looking after me and I receive PIP standard rate care and lower mobility rate on a ongoing award which was made in 2016.  My health is significantly worse than when the award was made I haven't asked for a COC as I didn't want to risk losing what I already get.

I was looking to go bankrupt of my own accord but I have been far too ill to get it done.  I had hoped to sell my vehicle, use some of the cash to update items in our home that are frankly buggered and syphon the remainder into the biscuit tin as I was advised to do.  I havent been able to sell the car yet as until my health is stable I need it for hospital visits regularly.

My total debt is over £75000.

Most of the debt collectors have been leaving me alone after I provided them with medical proof of my situation which has been a relief to be honest.

However I have 2 CCJs that were granted last March (2024).  They relate to 2 Virgin Money credit cards.  The debts were sold to a company called Intrum Finance UK.
I received today 2 Notice of issue of Warrant Control letters.  One is for £1419.36 the other £1435.57.  They both state that unless I pay by 21st March 2025 the bailiff will call and may take Goods.
Can someone advise on the best thing to do.   As I understand, the bailiff must give 7 days notice that they are coming.  I believe they cannot take my car as I am disabled and have a blue badge, though I am more likely to remove it from the address beforehand.  Other than the car I have nothing of real value.
What happens if I don't answer the door?  Or just go out for the day?
I didnt expect that the debt collection company would go this far but there you go, they have.
All advice gratefully received.

fatbelly

This will be the County Court Bailiff as these debts are Consumer Credit Act.

They should not be aggressive. If you ask for N245 forms and say you will fill them in, that should keep them happy

Sam2022

Thanks fatbelly.  My daughter is going to take my car to work that day, so it will be out of the way, just in case.  I think they can't take it anyway because I have a blue badge, better air on the cautious side though.
I wasn't expecting this company to go to these lengths to be honest.  I don't know what they hope to achieve given my financial situation.
Can I just be 100% sure that they can't force entry to my flat?  I think you said they couldn't previously but I couldn't find it in the thread.
Also what happens if I ignore the door?
Thanks in advance0l

fatbelly

Absolutely. The court bailiff is a salaried employee of the court and won't be throwing their weight around.

If you ignore them they will just leave a note.

Sam2022

Thanks again fatbelly, I've been unwell the last few days and unable to respond.  The stress of things doesn't really help but I guess a lot of that is my own doing being a worrier.

So I think I may have already asked about this, I cant find the info though!!  What is the whole process of the CC Bailiffs?  They come and we ignore the door, so they leave a note.  Presumably asking me to make an offer of payment?  If I dont, I assume they will call again?
Are there limits on this and should I just keep ignoring, what happens if we do?
A lot to ask I know but at the moment I can't afford to make any payment at all.
Thanks for all your help.

PS  I have read something about a letter of vulnerability to send to bailiffs.  Would this stop visits?  If so is there a template I could use?  Thanks again. 

Sam2022

Does anyone think it is worth sending a vulnerability letter, like on the Disability action line to stop the bailiffs coming?
I am disabled and vulnerable and ask them to return the case to the lender??

Sam2022

Still no sign of a letter saying CC bailiffs will be visiting.  Its 13 days since the deadline to pay the 2 x CCJ.
Is that normal?  Not having been here before I thought it would have been quicker??

Sam2022

I have to say I am really surprised that I still have not had a notification of a visit by the CC Bailiffs.  Is this normal?  I expected a quick turnaround, given my town isn't that big.
Does the company that applies for the warrant of control have to request the visit separately after the WOC is issued?

Also I have been looking at my situation overall and most of my credit cards defaulted between 2 and 3 years ago.  Some creditors have done absolutely nothing about the debt.  Some of you on here suggested I ride it out until the accounts have become statute barred.  I'm halfway there with some of them already.  What if I went down that route, is it as simple as once the 6 year point has passed, its all over?  Or can the creditor do something to keep the debt alive?

It's an option I didn't want to consider due to the stress and potential visits but I am at least thinking it could be an option and save me the bankruptcy fee, which I am still trying to save.

fatbelly

I think the county courts are using Warrant of Control centres now. Not working very well because they cover huge areas.

So for instance if you live on the Scilly Isles or the Isle of Wight or anywhere inbetween it is organised by a centre in Weston-super-mere.

sourcrates

Yep, after 6 years of no payment or written acknowledgement, the debt`s become statute barred and you won`t have to pay them.

People worry and stress over debt, but half the time, a lot of collection activity is minimal at best, its not always the case, and there`s no way to know which version of this you`re going to get.