Debt advice from housing services
Debt advice is available from our housing service, which has a specialist mortage advisor liaising with lenders and working with partners to help people at risk of losing their home. There is a debt management scheme to offer help and you can put together a debt management plan online.
The Council has a specialist housing advisor for people who have mortgage arrears, who can offer advice in order to prevent homelessness:
Mark Fisher - mark.fisher@basingstoke.gov.uk
Tel: 01256 845301
General housing advice: 01256 845250
Financial management
For tips and advice on how to manage your finances see the Money Saving Expert website.
Credit union
A credit union for Basingstoke, offering a new way to borrow, is being set up. It will be called Basingstoke Savers and will be part of Hampshire Credit Union, which already has offices in Winchester and Portsmouth.
A credit union is a not-for-profit organisation owned and controlled by its members. It pools members’ savings to make low-cost loans to other members. The aim of Basingstoke Savers is to make available financial services to people who may be refused loans, or even current accounts, by mainstream providers.
The credit union is being sponsored by local housing associations and the council.For more information call 01256 869589 or see the website.
Advice for people in debt or struggling to pay bills
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. As well as advice on managing your debts, they can help to maximise your income,
including making sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. There are two branches of the CAB in the borough:
There is a free national debt help resource at: Talk about debt