Getting Debt Advice From Citizens Advice North East Derbyshire

Where can I get advice?

We operate from a number of locations across North East Derbyshire and Bolsover Districts including GP surgeries.

Our general telephone advice line (freephone) is open 9am-2pm Monday to Friday (0808 250 5702)

What should I have ready before my interview?

It would greatly assist our advisers (and may save you valuable time) if you could fill in a Debt Enquiry Sheet as fully as possible prior to contacting the bureau.

We have produced a guide to help you fill in the Debt Enquiry Sheet so that all the relevant information can be at hand before the interview takes place. We have included a number of useful links throughout the guide to help you complete the enquiry sheet.

After completing the Debt Enquiry Sheet, it may be useful to look through the rest of this website as this may help you understand your situation and the possible options and solutions available to you before you contact the bureau.

Whether you are having a phone or face-to-face interview, please have as much of the following as possible with you:

A Debt Enquiry Sheet, completed with as much information as you can
Creditor letters, documentation and account details including any court/legal action
Mortgage and Rent agreements/account details etc.
Proof of all income details (eg. payslips, benefits/tax credit letters, etc.)

Mortgage/Rent Arrears

It will greatly assist our advisers and could save valuable time if you gather together as much information as possible before any interview.

What details should I bring with me for advice with mortgage arrears?
- Details of all mortgages and secured loans on the property (agreement documents)
- Letters from your lender concerning your arrears
- Type of mortgage / secured loan
- Level of arrears
- Have you contacted your lender(s) about options?
- Details of any Charging Orders secured on the property & payment arrangements
- How much is the house approx worth?
- Was the house purchased under the Local Authority right to buy scheme?
- What the position is regarding equity in the property negative / positive / how much?
- What are the normal contractual monthly payments on the mortgages / secured loans?
- What are the terms of the mortgage payments (example interest only)?
- Are the terms of the mortgage payments set to change (example end of a fixed term interest rate)?
- What is the remaining term of the mortgage (how many years & months left to pay)?
- Can a third party help you with the mortgage / secured loan payments (example family or friends)?
- Have you made a claim for help with mortgage interest payments via the DWP?
- Proof of any recent payments towards your mortgages / secured loans
- Has anyone else got an interest in the property (beneficial / financial)?
- Do you want to stay in the property?
- Is the house up for sale?
- Have you any other debts?
- Details of all your income & expenditure (example salary, pensions, benefits, pension & tax credits, other)
- Have you any savings / assets?
- Have you contacted your local authority housing department regarding homelessness & re-housing issues?
- Evidence of any relevant health issues / problems

What details should I bring with me for advice with rent arrears?
- Who is your landlord (examples council, housing association. Private)?
- Letters from your landlord concerning your arrears
- What type of tenancy do you have (examples assured, secure, assured shorthold, introductory)?
- Who lives in the property?
- Does anyone else have an interest in the property (example joint tenant)?
- Level of arrears
- Court & legal papers you have received
- Have you contacted your landlord about payments / options?
- Proof of any recent payments to your landlord
- Housing Benefit claims / delays / issues
- Can a third party help you with payments (example friends & family)?
- Do you want to stay in the property?
- Any other debts?
- Details of all your income & expenditure (example salary, pensions, benefits, pension & tax credits, other)
- Have you any savings / assets?
- Have you contacted your local authority housing department regarding homelessness & re-housing

What will happen during my interview?

Clients of Citizens Advice North East Derbyshire who require advice and assistance with their debts / financial problems will be asked to provide as much information as possible relating to their debts based upon our standard debt enquiry sheet.

As debt is becoming an evermore complex area, the information we request is important as it allows us to establish your overall circumstances. This enables us to more accurately explore your options (both long term and short term) and to advise you on the most appropriate solutions.