Category: <span>Avoiding Debt</span>

Council tax support options explained

COUNCIL TAX, as many bill payers will know, can be a substantial outgoing when it comes to monthly bills. A few weeks ago, the temporary ban on face-to-face collection of debts came to an end – leaving some no doubt wondering what forms of support may be out there. The government’s five-month emergency suspension on…




Bailiffs return but are told not to shout

A report from BBC News has reported Bailiffs that are resuming operations in England and Wales are being told to keep their voices down to protect against coronavirus transmission. They will be chasing unpaid council tax after a five-month suspension. Debt charities have warned of a surge in cases, prompting financial and health risks. But…




Five rules bailiffs have to follow when they visit homes following the pandemic

Bailiffs are now able to approach debtors’ homes over repayments for fines, traffic offences, unpaid council tax and other outstanding penalties. The guidance, which has been published by the Ministry of Justice, outlines that goods can still be seized during the pandemic. But the procedure of bailiffs coming to visit people’s homes is now different from…




How to approach rental arrears in a COVID world

In the wake of COVID-19, local councils and housing providers have been jolted into finding new ways of delivering services and interacting with their tenants – especially when it comes to income collection and rent arrears. Increasingly, we’re seeing providers employ innovative strategies while moving from debt recovery to support provision. Behavioural insights tell us…




HOW TO AVOID LATE PAYMENT DISPUTES

While you may not encounter them often, disputes over payments can become a major problem and lead to your non-paying client or customer coming up with excuses not to pay you. To avoid this happening it is necessary to identify why these late payment disputes happen and close any loop holes that can be exploited…



3.4% increase in funeral costs sees more people pushed into funeral debt

During 2019, the cost of dying increased by 3.4%, pushing more people than ever before into funeral debt. Last year saw funeral costs and funeral debt both rise to record highs, a trend that looks set to worsen in 2020. The ‘Cost of Dying’ report by SunLife found that during 2019 funeral costs continued to…




How is economic uncertainty in the UK affecting debt?

According to a recent study, bad debt write-offs have gone up from 1.5% to 2.5% year-on-year due, in part, to economic uncertainty. The Western Europe Payment Practices Barometer research report, carried out by trade credit insurer Atradius, examined how today’s economic uncertainty is affecting payment practices in the UK. Key findings from the study included:…




What is the difference between bad debt and doubtful debt?

Knowing the difference between bad debt and doubtful debt can help to prevent financial loss to your business. Today’s uncertain economic climate is having a negative effect on UK business payment practices, with a recent study finding that 35% of invoices remain overdue on their due date. Late or non-payment of an invoice is an…




How to create invoices that get paid quicker

Getting paid promptly for the products and services you’ve provided shouldn’t be difficult, but unfortunately it often is. The UK’s late payment culture means that many SMEs are having to wait far longer than they should to receive payment from their debtors. Unpaid invoices can have a negative effect on a business’ cash flow, slowing…




How long do unpaid invoices remain valid for?

Many SMEs are consistently paid late by their debtors, but just how long do those unpaid invoices remain valid for? UK businesses are currently suffering at the hands of the country’s late payment culture. One third of the UK’s SMEs say that their invoices are not paid until two months after the agreed payment terms….