An IP's nightmare

[ray_a]

Hi Catcullas

Welcome and I do appreciate a lot of what you say!

I can understand where you are coming from and will share more with you if I had the time.


Unfortunately, I am busy trying to exchange contracts, Box our family belongings, arrange everything with the move, trying to vary an IVA, working at trying to do 2 days work into 5, etc!

So please understand where I am coming from at the moment!

Thanks again

Ray

[BECKY]

Hi I fully agree with the part about people signing documents they dont fully understand but when desperate Id say nearly 99% of us signed unrealistic income +expenditures that had been "jiggled " to make the figures look good. I am in no way blaming the ips for this but think maybe a bit more of a guide to what we're allowed in a way of expenditure should be devised. Faced with that situation it is very hard to think of all the things you pay out or what contingencies may occur

[thebear29uk]

Hi Becky

You are absolutely right. We see such differences in what one person is allowed compared to another. Some people have Sky allowed, others keep their pensions etc.

I went through Thomas Charles and they put me onto Melanie. They did an initial Income/Expenditure with me but strongly recommended I meet Melanie face to face as I was agreeing to something for the next 5 years and being able to "look the person in the eye" when agreeing disposable income would be beneficial. As it was Melanie found I had been far too frugal and increased my expenditure accordingly.

Judging by the number of posts on this forum this is exactly what we would like to see from all IVA providers. Sadly, all too often, this isn't the case.
I wonder what the ratio of IVA's per IP is in some of the IVA factories.

Of equal importance should be the discussion of DMP or BR. Maybe a document should be produced that says that all options have been discussed and the impact on each one to both creditor and debtor explained. i.e. how long a DMP would take, pence in the pound to creditors in IVA versus BR. I know there is a form R3 but does this only cover one of the associations IP's can belong to?

Regards

Dave

[Skippy]

I went through TC as well, and it was never recommended that I meet my IP face to face. I was also referred to Accuma, who are hundreds of miles away from me. If I knew then what I know now I would do some things differently:

1. Really push to find out what my options are other than an IPA - I don't feel that BR was explained to me properly. OK I read the R3 form, but it's all very daunting when you are desperate
2. Ask for an IP closer to home
3. Have a face to face meeting with the IP
4. Be more realistic with my figures and not let anyone 'jiggle' them about
5. Make sure the figures actually related to what I spent the money on, and not just accept the answer of it doesn't matter providing it balances out

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[thebear29uk]

Hi Skippy

I think this illustrates perfectly the lack of consistency. Both of us used TC but you didn't get offered a face to face meeting. I was asked if it would be a problem going to meet Melanie in Cardiff. I got a £24 return train ticket and it was money well spent. However for you to get to Manchester may well have cost significantly more.

One of the things I've found over the last few months is that what we spend varies throughout the year. Trying to estimate a monthly amount for expenditure is difficult as you probably rely on what you have spent over the last 3 months and other items bought at other times of the year can easily be missed.

Regards

Dave

[Skippy]

That's a good point Dave - it's really easy to forget what you spend money on, and also that the price of things will increase, and possibly salaries might not. I've just taxed and insured my car, both of which were more expensive than last year, and if my car tax increases at the same rate over the next 5 years, it will have gone from £100 to £175. I know it's 'only' £75 but it's got to be accounted for. The same with my car insurance - up £17 from last year, which would mean it would go from £268 to £353 in 5 years. It's just more money to find.

The one thing I forgot about (although it was included in my IVA) was medical expenses - I wear contact lenses, but I also need to have a pair of glasses. I'm also lucky enough to still have an NHS dentist, but I don't know how long that will last.

It's so important to make sure you account for all these things as 5 years is a long time when you are living on a tight budget.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[catullus]

Well, this thread has really raised some issues which I was hoping it would, because I think that it is equally important to see things from the IP's point of view. That way, those of you seeking advice may just understand a little bit more of the process and hopefully will get the right result for YOU.

Although I completely understand the bewilderment that the IVA procedure can create my strong advice to anyone contemplating an IVA is not to proceed unless, after careful deliberation of your draft proposal, you can say to yourself that you understand the main points of the proposal and know where the figures in the appendices came from.

There also is a common threads from these posts that some IP's refuse to talk to their clients. I recommended in an earlier post that you should ask to speak to your IP but I actually meant only if you really wanted to. If you are happy with the case manager and you have developed a rapport with them, then there probably is no real need to speak to the IP directly.

However, in my opinion your IP is professionally obliged to speak to you if you require and you should simply not take no as an answer. If verbal requests fail you should put your requirement in writing (email or letter) with a conclusion that if he fails to contact you, you will refer the matter to his professional body.

It would help, however, if you can be clear in your mind exactly what questions you want to ask your IP. Write then down clearly and try to stick to those issues in any discussion to ensure that you have got clear answers that you understand.

IP's can be busy people but I am frankly shocked that some appear to feel that it is appropriate to hide behind the bureacracy that they create and refuse to talk directly to their clients.

I would be interested to hear other IP's views on this.

[Adrian Ratcliffe]

Hi all,
I know I am new to this forum; it has opened my eyes I would like to think the more IP's that contribute on here the better.
The reason I use my complete name is so that anyone can check that I actually have an IVA and that im'e honest about what my intention of being on this forum is (to learn).
I fell into the 4 Signing documents that I din't understand
I just signed them all might be my downfall.
The part I don't fully understand is the equity figures in year 4.
But that isn't the point here.
I hope catullus becomes a regular as I would like to be.

Regards
Adrian

[scaredkez]

hi catullus
firstly would like to apologise if you thought i was having a go, i certainly was not, i have re read everything and your bio and can see very clearly where you are coming from, and i am sure everyone will welcome your input.
what i was trying to get across last night was, a lot of posters on here have been spied on by their IP's and then e-mailed or letters sent and also that the creditors regularly monitor this site, and i just wanted you to be aware that some posters are wary of posting too much, of course i understand why you don't want to identify yourself and admire you for coming on and giving your advice and opinions in regards to IP's and i am sure that we can learn a lot from you as you can learn from the posters off this forum.

in my own experience my ip never wanted speak to me, i had to go through several people in different teams the further i went up the ladder, i asked several times to speak to him, even sent a letter registered to him asking him to contact me re my iva proposal but he never bothered at all, my face to face was with someone from the office who i never heard off or saw again, the whole process was very confusing and to be honest if i hadn't found the forum i truly wouldn't have understood what an iva was, i felt they frightened me into it as they said i only had 2 options, iva or BR of course scared didn't understand the implications of BR also i opted for what i thought was the best solution, then the fun started with the figures.

i can understand that there will be people also who think they can try and work the system and hide things from the IP which must cause a lot of confusion for the ip.

you will get a good response and others who will share their journey with you good or bad.

kerri


Please view my blog at: http://scaredkez.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[aguise]

I have to say that I have had no contact with my Ip, but have to say as said by catallus, that I have not felt a need to as the account manager and supervisors gave and continue to give all the info that I need. I did have a face to face meeting with a company representative who went through the proposal and let me ask questions and made sure that I understood what was in it, she in fact went through it page by page. I still have a direct number to an account manager and if she is not there someone always answers and tells me when she will be. I am happy, but I will not be happy if ,as a lot on here find, that should I want to speak to my Ip I cannot get through to them.

Ang

[catullus]

I'm sorry to hear of your experience scaredkez but equally pleased to hear of aguise's.
I take your point about people monitoring this board and that's exactly why I would prefer to keep my ID confidential. That way I can give clear unbiased opinions without feeling constrained about what I say.

[jane.l]

I am not in an IVA, I was going down that route and I think our company gave some good advice but I was not very happy with the "jiggling" of the expenditure figures. One person I spoke to was very insistent about our mortgage payment, they had it down as being £150 per month LESS than what it really was and I kept telling them the true figure, but they were having none of it! Its alright trying to get the figures to work on paper so the creditors agree but it was after reading posts on this forum that I realised the IVA would not work with the figures they had proposed for 6 years! I have scrimped by for years and the thought of another 6 years paying out over £800 per month was the last straw. We could not keep the house anyway as the secured lending is too high, so I feel an IVA is for people who want to protect their house/job, we have lost everything anyway so have decided bankruptcy is the only way forward. We have nothing else to lose!!!!! We have had a lot of trouble with the secured loan lender on the house, umming and ahhing over whether to release the 2nd charge and "allow a sale"!!! Well its been nearly 5 months now and they are still "thinking" about it!!!!!!!!! Well, tough, 'cos I have a court date for reposession from the mortgage company in about 5 week's time so hopefully we will be gladly rid of that house then! Surprisingly, the secured loan company have not contacted me about not paying any payments for nearly 5 months! I think if they had agreed very early on to a sale, we would have tried the IVA route but its too late now, I am so sick & tired, I just don't care anymore, I hope they get nowt! All this dreadful experience has hardened me, I think!

[keh]

Hi catullus

It will be refreshing to hear advice from a different point of view and without the red tape attached.

AS i read earlier in this post

People like Melanie have got to be professional with their answers at all times, whereas you can give it more bluntly or brutally without any comebacks.

I hope that staying incognito is the right thing to do and that readers start to trust and respect you on this site.

Look forward to your posts

Keith

The long and winding road will straighten out eventually....keep the faith

[Adrian Ratcliffe]

Hi jane,
depends how long you want to keep the house, courts are reluctant to put you on the street.
Any offer of payment is likely to be taken unless they have enlisted a barrister.

Regards
Adrian

[Sadsack]

On this forum we are all open about our circumstances, we don't hide our identities. It is refreshing to know that there are other "IP's" out there wanting to post and offer their opinions and expertise. However,and it is my opinion, names should be shared, the fact that Melanie is quite happy to divulge her information and her expertise as a professional, encouragement to others to do the same should not be a problem. Hiding behind a pseudonum is somewhat disoncerting.

Melanie, I take my hat off to you. You have given so much to so many on this site. Perhaps others (IP's) who bother to take an interest in the real people out there will benefit from your unfailing ability to encourage and care about debtors, will be enriched. God willing.

Sue

Ho Hum! Think I'll bang my drum!

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http://sadsack.blogs.iva.co.uk/