Debt advice

In debt and need advice?

The following organisations may be able to help you to:

• Identify the most important debts and take action accordingly. The law gives different creditors different ways of getting their money back.
• Help plan your weekly and monthly budget.
• Draw up a financial statement by looking at your income and outgoings.
• Help you to decide on a plan to deal with your debts.
• Negotiate with the people you owe money to.
• Advise you on court procedures and help reply to court documents.

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The National Debtline (see external links section below) offers free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Call free on 0808 808 4000.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (see external links section below) may also be able to help.

If you are a council tenant in rent arrears you should contact your local housing office.

If you are unable to do this yourself, adult services may be able to help. Please call our main switchboard on 020 8489 0000 or contact one of our helpdesks direct. For individual helpdesk details, visit the webpage entitled:

• Where to get help

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Types of debt

All debts are important, but some are more pressing than others. The following list shows what may happen if priority debts are not dealt with:

• Mortgage - repossession of your home; eviction
• Second mortgage/secured loan - repossession of your home; eviction
• Rent - eviction
• Council tax - seizure of goods by bailiffs (distraint); deductions from wages/benefits
• Water rates - supply disconnected
• Gas/electricity - supply disconnected
• Unpaid Magistrates Court fine - seizure of goods by bailiffs (distraint); deductions from wages/benefit); imprisonment
• Unpaid maintenance/child support - seizure of goods by bailiffs (distraint); deductions from wages/benefit; imprisonment
• Income tax/VAT/National Insurance - seizure of goods by bailiffs (distraint); bankruptcy
• Telephone - disconnection
• Hire purchase (not normal credit) - repossession of HP goods
• Unsecured credit card debts - County Court judgement; impaired credit rating

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Useful External Links

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

• National Debtline
• Citizens Advice

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