Dealing with debt & bailiffs

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How to sort out your debts

If you have a problem with debt, it's important not to panic but don't ignore it either – it won't go away.

To deal with a debt problem, you will need to:

  • sort out how much money you owe
  • work out which are the most urgent debts for you to pay off
  • work out if you've got any money to pay your debts off and, if so, how much
  • deal with the most urgent debts as a matter of priority
  • look at your options for dealing with the less urgent debts and work out how to pay them off
  • contact your creditors and make arrangements to pay back what you owe
  • work out your options if you don't have enough money to pay off all your debts.

Don't

  • Be intimidated, threatened or bullied into making an offer or promises you know you cannot keep.
  • Give up, if a creditor refuses your offer or to stop interest reaffirm your efforts, get them to give up!
  • Borrow more money to pay of your creditors unless you have taken professional advice to the contrary.
  • Ignore the problem hoping it will just go away.
  • Be frightened to ask for specialist help and advice.
  • If a creditor refuses your offer and is threatening legal action such as bankruptcy then take professional advice immediately, either from Insolvency Practitioners or Solicitors’.

The expenditure guide is designed to help you work out what the maximum lenders/creditors allow for housekeeping (food and toiletries), hairdressing, clothes and work meals, should your income allow it, plus much more.

each section is a breakdown of your expenditure detailing the maximum figure and some helpful tips about what lenders/creditors allow for one person, a couple and for each additional child.

You will find the cost on any agreements or bank statements. These are the maximum figures should your income allow it.

Download the personal budget planner, its a zip file  

From Microsoft office or visit MS office online http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates/CT010117232.aspx )You will find the template on the bottom row

Download the expenditure PDF file

expenditure-guide.pdf

Tips for keeping the bailiffs out

Here's some tips to help you to avoid letting the bailiffs in to take your goods:

  • don't open your doors to them. Speak through the closed door or put on the chain if you have one
  • don’t leave your windows open if you know bailiffs are due
  • don’t let them in at all, even if they say it is just for a chat or to use the toilet
Treat the bailiffs in a business-like way when they call. Politely tell them you're not going to let them in and that you'll try to sort out the debt in another way.

 

Then contact your local citizens advice bureau.

 Feeling Harassed

If you feel a debt collection agency are continually harassing you.

you can find a letter template by clicking the page link below,

Letter template.

 

Adobe Reader (PDF)

This article includes reference to PDF documents, which you can view with Adobe's free 'Adobe Reader'.

Click here to download Adobe Reader.

 

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