Ok I was stupid and saw Brighthouse as an easy way to get my Huge Tv - all paid for and no problems at all - I was never late with a payment for 2 years. Then I became ill ( I was diagnosed with Bipolar last November) I was 3 months pregnant at the time so was not medicated and while in a "Manic Mood " I got myself a nice new three piece and a DS Games console from my friends at " Brighthouse" - much to the dismay of my partner. Sadly I developed kidney failure and was rushed into hospital at 8 months pregnant and as we had 5 young children at home our only concern was making sure we had som eone to care for them and try to keep things normal at home while I had to stay in hospital. It was during this period that we fell behind with payments ( not deliberatly but they never crossed my mind) So the phone calls started etc they were told and told it would be sorted when I got home - but they kept phoning. Even me on my mobile in hospital and annoying the family looking after my kids and telling them all openly about my finances with them ( not happy as none of my family approve of credit)! So I am at home very ill ( mental illness) - head all over the place holding a 6 day old newborn baby when thes guy knocks at door from Brighthouse demanding money - I tell him about the endless phone calls and how I had ensured I would pay - I had the figure as xxxx amount but they then said the amount I owed had gone up by over £150 due to late fees etc - to which I told him I could not afford - so he refused to accept my payment.They now phone from 7am till 10 pm they are ignored but then they come knocking. I have explained I am mentally unstable and they are not helping me by making me fear them but they do not care - I now have a 3rd party involved (threw the mental health service as I am not able to make decisions etc) who are dealing with Brighthouse on my behalf yet Brighthouse still phone and knock on my door demanding to speak to me. I have even changed my house number with BT (will tkae 7 days) but I asume they will just come more often to my door. Last time they came was last week and there 2 of them telling me they " If they wanted to could stamp thier feet and enter my home and take my goods" To which I screamed " Well I can stamp my feet too and I swear there is no way they would get one foot inside my house where my kids are and take my items " I warned them I am not mentaly stable and am recieving help from 3rd parties who will sort it al out but they were quite happy to intimidate me and try and force me to sign something ( no idea what it was" Thankfully I am not that insane !!! YET !!! I know they will be coming back - what do I do next ! Awaiting head office to reply to letters etc. I am Bipolar yes which I can live with but it is Brighthouse who are making me Crazy !!!

I am so sorry as I copied it from my drafts email it seems to have gone funny????

Perhaps if I post the email I wrote to send it may make more sense - Dear Sir/Madame, I write in the hope you can help me or advise me further, Housing Problems I am a tenant of xxxxxx Housing Association I moved into the property June 2007, as a single mum with 3 children. I now have a partner and 2 extra children so the property is now home to 2 adults and 5 children, I am also expecting my 6th child in May 2010. The size of my family proves problems in itself with 7 people living in a 3 bedroom property. My tenancy states a total of 5 can reside in the property. We have the following living here – xxxxxxxxx – 29 years xxxxxxxxxx – 34 years xxxxxxxxxx – 10 years xxxxxxxx – 7 years xxxxxxxxx – 6 years xxxxxxxxxx – 17 months old xxxxxxxxxx – 6 months old Baby Due May 2010 I have asked to join the waiting list in my area for a larger property but have been refused. . As a result of my arrears I was ordered by the court to pay £3.35 per week and I became unemployed simply as I could not afford to pay the rent any other way. I have been paying £3.35 each week and from the dates 13th March to 6th November a total of £117.25 should have been, the total I have actually paid is £150.25. An overpayment of £33.00.I have paid as agreed for over 9 months now so surely this proves I am reliant when paying back my arrears. We have an income of Employment & Support Allowance & Disability Allowance; I can not afford to pay off a large amount to reduce these further. Yes I have rent arrears but my social living situation is proving unbearable, there are not many 4 bed roomed properties in my area which is why I am asking for my application despite the arrears that I be accepted onto the housing waiting list as I know it could take a long time for a property to become available. Bedroom 1 = 128sq m - floor area 110 sq feet (10.2 sq metres approx) = 2 people Bedroom 2 = 125 sq m - floor area 110 sq feet (10.2 sq metres approx) = 2 people Bedroom 3 = 70sq m - floor area 70 - 89 sq ft (6.5 - 8.4 sq m approx) = 1 person In reality when you look at floor area you can see as most of the space is taken up with beds/ wardrobe/drawer set / cots the space we have is – Bedroom 1 = 49.37sq m Bedroom 2 = 45.21sq m Bedroom 3 = 20sq m Health Problems · Matthew is receiving treatment for depression , anxiety and panic attacks · Matthew also has 3 other children who can not come and stay with us due to lack of space – he has not seen his children for a considerable amount of time – court proceedings are underway · Matthew’s heath is seriously unstable as he is also Diabetic .He receives Disability Allowance both The Mobility and Carers Allowance is awarded due to the severity of his illness. · Due to his illness Matthew needs constant support and supervision and he does not sleep well thus waking the 2 younger children who have to sleep in our room due to lack of a spare room. · I have a 16 year history of mental illness and although my last episode was 2 years ago the stress is causing me to become ill. · Children’s school work is suffering · Children argue and fight on regular intervals · Children ask to live with father (eldest 3 ) (due to his violence nature this can not be allowed to happen) · Children become upset and frustrated that they can not have any quiet time or a place to be alone. · My 6 year old son has become very aggressive towards his siblings and also has problems at school the local authorities are involved and he has been assessed. Psychologist intervention was advised. · Children are always tired as we swap beds most evenings just to try and get some sleep · Children have been bullied at school mainly my eldest daughter (usually as she can never return the favour of having friends sleep over or come to play due to not having any personal space) · My eldest daughter has shown signs of depression As you can see I am living in unsuitable living conditions and my argument is although I have rent arrears surely the most important aspect should be that of my family’s health and not decided upon by my financial position. I feel dismay to learn that couples with 3 children are given 4 bedroom properties when I have an even larger family and need, but I am not even allowed to be on the waiting list as I have financial problems. There is a 4 bedroom property available just a few roads away from my home available that has disables access with bedroom downstairs that would be ideal to solve our problems yet I can not even enquire. I feel let down and victimised. I have not mentioned my own medical health ( I am at the GPs tomorrow for diagnosis) I am at a loss into what I can do - do I send the email or am I wasting my time? They have not been nice to me in the past.

Thank you letters were sent today - could any of you kind people help me on another matter - I have started a new thread as it regards rent arrears not council tax???

Can anyone help ?

You have been so helpfull on another thread about council tax that I was hoping you maybe able to help me again. During the council tax period my rent also got into arrears - I went along to court and was ordered to pay £3.35 per week. All ok - except since last year we have had another child and the house is over crowded - the Housing people say they will not rehouse me due to rent arrears. It is a small 3 bedroom with 2 adults and 5 children , plus baby number 6 due in May 2010. Am I in my right to try to at least argue my case or should I just give up?

I do receive full housing benefit and council tax benefit now , these arrears come from 2008 ( a period when I was a single mum and working but not earning a penny - I seem to have periods when I feel on top of the world and can solve anything - I thought I could pay full rent and council tax and when I was denied benefit help I did not argue as had never clamied it before - I later found out as I was not earning and only in receipt of Woking Tax I would have been given some) It just went on and on and then the depression time kicked in so I would just refuse to open letters etc.My own fault I should have paid something I know. I did telephone the Council and complain about Rossendales and she seemed sympathetic but said it was out of their hands as they had passed over the debt and I would need to deal with them direct. Thank you for the letter which I will post , as for my own circumstances I have no idea what is actually wrong with me , I know I need medical advice but too scared to speak to anyone. I honestly believe I am going crazy.

Thank you so much

Long story so will keep it simple - Council Tax unpaid - Rossendales came calling - sent letters - I was dealing with husband being ill due to depression - 5 young children - things were hard enough - each time they called they got nastier I explained income was only ESA & Disability Allowance. They refused my low installments. Then on my door stop they told me it would take seconds to break my flimsy wooden door frame if he wanted to get in after I refused him entry. He told me he would be back - he came back I again refused entry - he came 3-4 times each time I was terrified ( I have not been mentally stable for a long time but that is a dif story - 16 yrs of depression on and off but this time things are dif I get really high times like I was taking some drug and do crazy things that yes put me in even more debt - too hard to explain I am too scared to go to the doctors) Anyway Rossendales called a few days ago and I just said I did not have £700 simple and was past caring what they threatened - so he told me fine I will go and get an arrest warrant. I froze - I am a mum to 5 ( kids aged 6 mnths - 10 yrs and I am currenlt 12 weeks pregnant - he assured me even though I was a mum I would still be arrested and as it was a criminal offense I would be going to prison - he smiled and walked away -now what?

I am a newly qualified Wedding Planner in the North East of England I will not put my business name as not sure it allowed but I have just received a very detailed email from a business similiar to mine telling me as I use the wording North East Weding Planner as a sub heading on my website and material I am in copyright breach as there business is called just that???? How on earth do I reply - to these threats ???? Please help have I dont something wrong?