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MAIN MENU MAIN MENU
  • Home
  • Get advice
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    • Donate
    • Volunteer
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  • Our projects and services
    • Cost of Living Project
    • DASCAS
    • EU Project
    • Help Through Hardship Crisis
    • Macmillan Benefits Advice Service
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    • Ukrainian Support Project
  • News and events
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  • Debt and money

    What do you need help with?

    I'm being evicted because I can't pay my rent.

    Landlords generally have to follow a certain procedure in order to evict you. Your rights will depend on the type of tenancy you have, which you can check using Shelter’s tenancy rights checker.

    Citizens Advice have a guide to eviction for rent arrears. In most cases you don’t have to leave your home before your landlord gets a court order. This means you may have time to resolve the issue, even if it’s already gone to court.

    If court proceedings have started you may be able to get free advice from a solicitor. This will depend on whether you’re eligible for legal aid. You can check your entitlement to legal aid online or by calling Civil Legal Advice, who can also advise you about your situation.

    If you can’t get legal aid or afford a solicitor you should still attend any court hearing about your eviction. If you explain to the judge why you’re in arrears they may decide that it isn’t appropriate to evict you. You may also be able to get legal advice from a duty solicitor on the day of the hearing – arrive early and speak to a court clerk about this.

    I'm being harassed by bailiffs.

    When bailiffs (also called ‘enforcement agents’) visit you have rights and they shouldn’t bully you.

    Citizens Advice have a guide to stopping bailiffs at your door, which includes information about when they can enter your home without permission.

    If you’re vulnerable bailiffs also have to treat you with more care, so you should let them know this as soon as you can.

    You should take advice if you need help with your debts, but in addition to this you can also complain to an ombudsman if a bailiff breaks the rules of treats you badly.

    I'm having difficulty paying my household bills.

    You can use the Turn2us or Entitledto benefit calculator to check that you’re receiving the right benefits. If you’re thinking about claiming Universal Credit our Help to Claim service can advise you about whether this will increase your income.

    Citizens Advice have guides to working out your budget and getting help with your bills.

    You may need advice about a debt management plan if you’re having difficulty keeping up with your existing repayments.

    My business owes money.

    We only help individuals. If you’re self-employed or run a small business and need advice about debt you can contact Business Debtline.

    Information and self-help resources

    Citizens Advice Logo
    Citizens Advice

    Information from Citizens Advice about common financial issues, including:

    • debt solutions
    • mortgages
    • rent arrears
    • banking
    • pensions
    • tax.

    www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money

    National Debtline Logo
    National Debtline

    National organisation that provides guides, fact sheets, budgeting tools and sample letters to help you write to your creditors.

    www.nationaldebtline.org

    Wandsworth Council logo
    Wandsworth Council

    Manage and pay your Council Tax online. Find information about:

    • discounts, refunds and exemptions
    • reporting changes in your circumstances
    • what to do if you move house.

    www.wandsworth.gov.uk/council-tax

    Organisations that can help

    National Debtline Logo
    National Debtline

    Free, confidential debt advice service.

    Phone: 0808 808 4000 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
    Saturday, 9.30am to 1pm
    www.nationaldebtline.org

    Step-change-logo
    Step Change

    Advice and support for people with non-priority debts.

    Phone: 0800 138 1111 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
    Saturday, 8am to 4pm
    www.stepchange.org

    South West London Law Centre logo
    South West London Law Centres

    Free, face-to-face debt advice. Can help with most types of debts, including court papers.

    Phone: 0208 767 2777 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm
    https://swllc.org/get-advice/debt/

    Rcj Advice Logo
    RCJ Advice

    Free advice about debt and bankruptcy for people who can’t afford a solicitor and need assistance with preparing for or dealing with a court case.

    Phone: 0203 745 8921 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm
    www.rcjadvice.org.uk/

    Council tax advisors logo
    Council Tax Advisors

    Advice about Council Tax and related issues.

    Phone: 0330 0948 766  (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 7pm
    Friday, 9am to 5pm
    www.counciltaxadvisors.co.uk

    Christians Against Poverty

    Debt counselling and advice.

    Phone: 0800 328 0006 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 5pm
    Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm
    www.capuk.org/

    Gov.uk logo
    Civil Legal Advice

    Free, confidential advice for people who qualify for legal aid. Civil Legal Advice provide free interpretation for people who don’t speak English and can book a BSL interpreter if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.

    Phone: 0345 345 4345 (read about call charges)
    Minicom: 0345 609 6677
    Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
    Saturday, 9am to 12:30pm
    www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

    Still need help?

    Find out how to contact us if you haven’t been able to resolve your problem using the information above.

    Please bear in mind that we are a local charity and demand for our services is high. You may have to wait to speak to one of our team and we can’t offer everyone an appointment with an adviser.

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