Debt demand of £100 per month

I hope you can advise me on this debt, although I've left it a bit late. This was partly due to the forum closure over Christmas and New Year.

Unfortunately, although I haven't recently moved in, when I moved into my flat there were lots of things to do and I forgot to register with Thames Water. Later on, Thames Water contacted me and told me about a big debt I had built up. I tried to make plans to pay them about £20 each month, but then I found I couldn't afford it.

I received a County Court Claim Form on behalf of Thames Water. It asked various questions about my income, so I didn't think it was a good idea to fill it in, because they could use this information to make deductions from my ESA. I put it to one side, then later on noticed that the deadline to return it had expired. On the first page it says “Pursuant to Sections 142 and 143 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the Claimant claims the balance of water services charges payable by the defendant to the claimant”. After this, I got a letter saying that a judgement would soon be entered against me. Finally, I got a letter from a well known debt collection agency who are dealing with other debts of mine. There was a payment book accompanying the letter. It explained that a judgement had been entered against me that I must pay £100 per month, with the first payment before 14-01-14! Obviously, I can't afford to pay this amount. I never pay £100 for any single item. I don't think my life would be worth living any more if I was deprived of £100 per month! There's no end in sight to this, because I'm supposed to make 10 payments over a period of 10 months, which takes me up nearly to my next birthday. Even then, I feel that another debt disaster will come up.

I'm worried about what my options are. I may not be able to just sit tight and refuse to open the door if someone comes round. I'm considering moving, but I got my flat through a special council run scheme, although I'm a private tenant because I can't qualify for council housing. I may not be able to get another flat at all. This would leave me with the options of shoplifting, squatting, going on the run, or killing myself. A friend of mine has advised me to apply to The Thames Water Trust. I've just had a look for an application form to download, but I can't find it.

I recently finished paying for a TV licence in instalments of £5.60 per week, so this means I've now got about £25 per month available for other expenses. What should I do? I can't stand to live on £100 less per month!

Zybyszek wrote: I hope you can advise me on this debt, although I've left it a bit late. This was partly due to the forum closure over Christmas and New Year.

Unfortunately, although I haven't recently moved in, when I moved into my flat there were lots of things to do and I forgot to register with Thames Water. Later on, Thames Water contacted me and told me about a big debt I had built up. I tried to make plans to pay them about £20 each month, but then I found I couldn't afford it.

I received a County Court Claim Form on behalf of Thames Water. It asked various questions about my income, so I didn't think it was a good idea to fill it in, because they could use this information to make deductions from my ESA. I put it to one side, then later on noticed that the deadline to return it had expired. On the first page it says “Pursuant to Sections 142 and 143 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the Claimant claims the balance of water services charges payable by the defendant to the claimant”. After this, I got a letter saying that a judgement would soon be entered against me. Finally, I got a letter from a well known debt collection agency who are dealing with other debts of mine. There was a payment book accompanying the letter. It explained that a judgement had been entered against me that I must pay £100 per month, with the first payment before 14-01-14! Obviously, I can't afford to pay this amount. I never pay £100 for any single item. I don't think my life would be worth living any more if I was deprived of £100 per month! There's no end in sight to this, because I'm supposed to make 10 payments over a period of 10 months, which takes me up nearly to my next birthday. Even then, I feel that another debt disaster will come up.

I'm worried about what my options are. I may not be able to just sit tight and refuse to open the door if someone comes round. I'm considering moving, but I got my flat through a special council run scheme, although I'm a private tenant because I can't qualify for council housing. I may not be able to get another flat at all. This would leave me with the options of shoplifting, squatting, going on the run, or killing myself. A friend of mine has advised me to apply to The Thames Water Trust. I've just had a look for an application form to download, but I can't find it.

I recently finished paying for a TV licence in instalments of £5.60 per week, so this means I've now got about £25 per month available for other expenses. What should I do? I can't stand to live on £100 less per month!

Hi Z,

Unfortunately, we do not advise on debt problems.

The one thing that I would advise is that you don't simply ignore the debt.

See below for potential sources of advice on debt :

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4228011

www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/debt_w/debt_help_with_debt_e.htm

bro58