So Worried -What Can I Do?

starlite_2

I would so love to do that..i made amazing clothes for myself before becoming pregnant, and have few maternity things i amam proud of, so maybe will ask mums at my clubs/classes if they are interested.
I'm just a little apprehensive as many are very snobby, and live on the nicer estates near us so may not be up for it..but I can but try!
Although..i doubt I will go to my antenatal class tomorrow as we can't afford the fee given we have this debt to deal with..

crystal_clear

starlite wrote:

Although..i doubt I will go to my antenatal class tomorrow as we can't afford the fee given we have this debt to deal with..

WOW!!!! did I read that correct do they actually charge for antenatal classes I had 4 children now 18 16 13 10 but must admit never attended any classes but would be horrified if I had to pay to attend .......... I ask what is this country coming to where we work hard to progress and get on in life to be knocked back at every hurdle there's always someone wanting to exploit money from you by whatever means possible :eek:

starlite_2

Oh noooo...can't stop crying..have tried to call bailiff again to make sure he won't come tonight and can't get through...but given what some of you have said I am still expecting the doorbell to ring..
Also my boyfriend is stuck at work til 10 at the earliest (they are b*stards..he got there at 8am)
I can't stop sobbing, and not sure what we can do....

starlite_2

No no..it's not my nhs classes I am talking about (though i do only get one every 3 weeks which seems a bit tight?)
It's antenatal pilates..which may sound frivolous but it is really helping me with my spd, and gets me out of the house and talikng to other mums.
The fact that i would be spending the last fiver in my purse has put me off going tomorroe though..may give it a miss!

jazzyjustlaw

I will say this once. If you let him in he can take what he likes as long as its not classed as being essential. Once you let him in he can come again. IF he doesnt take your things tomorrow he will take an inventory of goods and if you have not paid the outstanding balance he can come and take it usually within a week.

If you open the door its GAME OVER
?

The Council can make an arrangement with you to pay it back if they want to. If the Bailiff cannot get hold of you the matter should go to Court and an offer of payment can be made.

How about in the meantime paying a bit off each week. This would look good on your part.

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR

starlite_2

well..I don't know if you read all the previous posts (and I understand there are many)but i have made an offer to the council, even one which stretches us to the point of not affording groceries etc, but they have refused.
The bailiff has refused this too, unless he can make an inventory in case we default on our arrangement with him.
I am therefore in a bind..is it best to let him in, take down our measly goods and secure an agreement, or avoid answering phonecalls and the doorbelll for the next few weeks and be constantly worried?
It's very difficult..I wish I could trust him to honour what he said..but I'm not sure he will, and to be honest, as that amount would be doable, but all but cripple us for the next few months I am fairly reluctant to go ahead.

tinalives

....................................

rowantoad

If she has no goods just a tv and an old computer what will happen if she lets him in?

jazzyjustlaw

I have said all I have to say above. I read the whole thread before writing it. I am not going to say anything more.

loobyloo1980

I have just sat and read this thread, and I really feel for you.

One thing I didn't pick up on (unless I missed it) was whether you were also paying off any other debts, and at what rate and what amounts.

The reason I ask is that council tax is a priority for payment, and if you are using valuable resources paying non-priority debts, then you should be contacting those companies with offers of reduced payments until your council tax debt is reduced.

Even if the bailiff takes your TV and PC (which they probably will unless you can hide it or get rid in the middle of the night when I doubt they will be sat watching your house) you will have to come to some arrangement to pay, whether to the bailiffs or the council if (which it most likely will) gets passed back to them. If you live in a communal building, then it may be quite easy to get the PC out of your property as how will they know who you are if it is a communal front door??? Just a thought thats all.

As for feeling how you do, I would feel the same, and would be terrified of having to deal with a bailiff face to face or even just verbally. I'm not sure I could be strong enough to ignore them and refuse entry. however, I was unaware that they had no right of entry if you refused it. I thought they could more or less do as they pleased.

I doubt they will really do much as you clearly sound unable to pay, and don't have any assets worth auctioning. Good luck sorting this out. One thing I have learned through my debt problem is to keep up to date with the vitals. I hate paying council tax, as I see it as dead money, but unfortunately we all have to one way or another.

Last thing, have you checked out https://www.entitledto.co.uk to make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to while waiting for your incapacity claim and even to see what you may get while on it. You can find out your maternity benefits too, as if you only recently stopped work you should get maternity allowance for 26 weeks (unless incapacity rules this out, which I wouldn't have thought it should) and the sure start grant of £500 once you are on tax credits after your baby is born (you have until 3 months old to claim). Good luck and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. As a mother of 2, and #3 on the way, I can tell you first hand that the most important thing is to keep healthy and keep your stress down. I know its hard under these circumstances, but everyone's suggestions are great and you really should heed them.