A friend of mine has received a bailiffs letter, giving notice of intention to seize goods to repay a debt.
The debt is about £4000 from 3 years ago (unpaid business rates for a restaurant), bailiffs costs are already £285 (for one visit!). The debt is with a different council from where she currently lives.
Her annual income is c£8.5k, housing benefits £1.8k, she lives alone in a bedsit, the total value of her belongings less than £700, money in the bank less than £100. She no longer runs a restaurant or any other business.
She is 60 years old, does not read or write English, speaks English as her third language, but holds a British passport.
We have tried to speak to the council about this but they say the matter is with the Bailiffs and we have to deal with them.
I have written 3 letters to Council, 3 to bailiffs (variously mentioning her age, the fact that she can't read, undue stress, that she will not allow peaceful entry, asking for 21 days to consider her options), there have been no replies to any letter.
I have visited CAB but they really just told me what I already knew, and were not really prepared to give advice, hence asking here.
We have made regular contact with the bailiff by phone, but he is becoming impatient.
What options does my friend have?
Pay all (borrowing from friends?)
Make an offer to pay a reduced amount to clear the debt.
The bailiff has suggested paying £500 now (which she does not have, but might be able to find), but the most she could afford after that would be £50 / month, so debt would not be paid off for 6 years. I can't see the bailiff accepting this.
Others?
A couple of questions:
Why are bailiffs costs already £285 for what seems to be a single visit?
Why won't the council speak to us about this or reply to our letters?
My friend is very stressed by all this. Any suggestions would be very helpful.
I don't know if this is relevant or not but my friend declared herself bankrupt 5 years ago (debts not related to any business).
Apologies for any typos in the above. Stressful times!
The debt is about £4000 from 3 years ago (unpaid business rates for a restaurant), bailiffs costs are already £285 (for one visit!). The debt is with a different council from where she currently lives.
Her annual income is c£8.5k, housing benefits £1.8k, she lives alone in a bedsit, the total value of her belongings less than £700, money in the bank less than £100. She no longer runs a restaurant or any other business.
She is 60 years old, does not read or write English, speaks English as her third language, but holds a British passport.
We have tried to speak to the council about this but they say the matter is with the Bailiffs and we have to deal with them.
I have written 3 letters to Council, 3 to bailiffs (variously mentioning her age, the fact that she can't read, undue stress, that she will not allow peaceful entry, asking for 21 days to consider her options), there have been no replies to any letter.
I have visited CAB but they really just told me what I already knew, and were not really prepared to give advice, hence asking here.
We have made regular contact with the bailiff by phone, but he is becoming impatient.
What options does my friend have?
Pay all (borrowing from friends?)
Make an offer to pay a reduced amount to clear the debt.
The bailiff has suggested paying £500 now (which she does not have, but might be able to find), but the most she could afford after that would be £50 / month, so debt would not be paid off for 6 years. I can't see the bailiff accepting this.
Others?
A couple of questions:
Why are bailiffs costs already £285 for what seems to be a single visit?
Why won't the council speak to us about this or reply to our letters?
My friend is very stressed by all this. Any suggestions would be very helpful.
I don't know if this is relevant or not but my friend declared herself bankrupt 5 years ago (debts not related to any business).
Apologies for any typos in the above. Stressful times!
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