Help and Advice

If you are having trouble paying your Council Tax or Business Rates it is important you contact us immediately on 0845 600 6400.  

If we are aware of your situation we will do all we can to help you.

 

DON’T IGNORE THE PROBLEM

Contact the organisation you owe money to. 
Let them know you are having problems.  They may be able to discuss options for paying back what you owe.

Get free help and advice. 
Your rights and options depend on the type of agreement, and the law can be complex.  You can get free independent help and advice from a number of organisations detailed below.

Pay priority debts first. 
For example, mortgage, rent, council tax, gas or electricity arrears.  A debt advisor can help you to budget to keep your finances under control.

Think carefully before borrowing money to repay debts. 
Get advice before borrowing against your home – you will pay more in the long run and you risk losing your home.

You may be able to ask a court for more time to repay a debt – but only in some circumstances. 
Speak to a debt adviser before considering court action.  Keep copies of letters and emails in case these are needed by the court.

 

DOING NOTHING COULD MAKE THINGS WORSE

The lender could take legal action against you. 
You could end up paying more in interest and charges.  Missed payments could affect your credit rating and make it more difficult to get credit in future.

 

TOP TEN TIPS ON DEALING WITH DEBT

Tips on dealing with debt. This advice has been produced in partnership with Homes for Northumberland and Citizens Advice.

 

IF YOU HAVE OTHER DEBTS

The following advice may help you if you have other debts.  You can visit the government website and the following not-for-profit organisations for free, confidential and impartial debt advice, or for details of where to get such advice in your area.

 

Government Services and Information

For further information visit GOV.UK

Citizens Advice

For advice and information on debt and other topics, visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau (address in the phone book) or visit the Citizens Advice website (England & Wales).

For further information phone; 0845 404 0506.

 

National Debtline

If you live in England phone 0808 808 4000 or visit http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/ for debt advice and information.

 

Step Change Debt Charity (previously Consumer Credit Counselling Service)

For debt advice throughout the UK phone 0800 138 1111 or visit http://www.stepchange.org/

AdviceUK

Member centres offer debt advice to the public, some providing specialist advice for minority ethnic and refugee communities and people with disabilities.  For further information phone 0300 777 0107 or visit http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/want-help

 

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice charity offering free, impartial support and advice to anyone worried about debt.

For further information phone 0800 043 40 50

Website www.debtadvicefoundation.org/

 

Money Advice Service

You may wish to visit the Money Advice Service website which provides unbiased money advice to help you manage your money better.  You may also find Making the Most of your Money a useful guide.

For further information phone 0300 500 5000

Website http://yourmoney.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/

 

Northern Money

Northern Money can help you find details of your local credit union, using a simple postcode search.  Credit unions offer great savings products and low-cost loans to members.

Call Northern Money on 0191 279 4881

Website http://www.northernmoney.org.uk/home

 

Other useful organisations

 

Community Legal Advice

If you qualify for legal aid phone 0845 345 4 345 for free advice or visit http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/public/community_legal_advice.asp

 

Financial Ombudsman Service

If you have a complaint that you can’t resolve with your lender, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help – phone 0845 080 1800 or visit http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

 

Useful tools

 

BACS – Direct Debit Control Centre

New iPhone application

Bacs has launched a new app to help you manage your Direct Debits using your iPhone.

The new Direct Debit Control Centre iPhone app will assist you in managing your Direct Debits at the click of a button.

The Direct Debit Control Centre allows you to keep track of which Direct Debit payments are due to leave your accounts, and when they are due to be paid, by sending you advance automatic reminders. You can view a snapshot of all your Direct Debits and a timeline of payment dates so you can stay in control and maintain a check on your finances. The app is easy to use, secure and best of all it is free.

To view a demo of the Direct Debit Control Centre

The new Direct Debit Control Centre is available to download from the iTunes  App Store