Some debts are more important than others because the law gives different powers to different creditors.

It is important to separate your priority creditors from your non priority creditors. Always make arrangements to pay your priority creditors first.

What are my Priority Debts?	Consequences if not paid?
Rent and Mortgage Arrears	Eviction and Homelessness
Secured Loans	Eviction and Homelessness
Council Tax Arrears	Loss of Goods, Bankruptcy, Imprisonment
Gas, Electric and Phone	Disconnection
Magistrates Court Fine	Bailiff, Imprisonment, Loss of Goods
Child Support Arrears	Bailiff, Imprisonment, Loss of Goods
Income Tax, VAT	Bankruptcy, Bailiff, Imprisonment
Goods on Hire Purchase	Loss of Goods

If you have borrowed money from a loan shark and would like confidential help and advice, contact 0300 555 2222 or Email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk  

Once you have made arrangements with all of your priority creditors you have several options open to you to deal with all of your other creditors. Non Priority creditors can include the following:

• Bank loans and overdrafts
• Personal loans
• Credit cards and charge cards
• Payday loans and trading cheques and vouchers
• Doorstep collected loans
• Catalogues
• Credit sale agreements

Administration Order

You must have debts below £5,000 and a county court judgement. You make 1 monthly payment to the court and this is distributed between your creditors. A composition order can also be made and this will have the effect of reducing the debt by setting a total payment period. There is no cost and application should be made on court form N92.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

If your debts are below £15,000 and you don’t own your own home, you could apply for a DRO. This will write off your debts and will cost £90.00. You can only apply for a DRO through an Approved Intermediary.

You must also satisfy the following criteria:

• Be unable to pay your debts
• Owe less than £15,000 in total
• Have less than £50.00 per month disposable income
• Have assets worth no more than £300.00
• Not own a car worth more than £1000.00
• Have lived in England or Wales at some time in the last 3 years
• Must not be subject to another DRO in the last 6 years
• Must not be involved in any other insolvency procedure such as bankruptcy at the time you apply

All of the Housing Debt Advisors are Approved Intermediaries and can assist you to make an application. Telephone them on 01296 585168 for more information.

Debt Management Plans (DMP)

You usually make 1 payment to a DMP company who distribute this on a pro rata basis to all of your creditors. Be wary of advertisements for money advice. These companies normally charge for their service. We only recommend Debt Management companies that don’t charge for this service such as Pay Plan, which can be contacted on 0800 716 239.

Full and Final offers of Payment

If correctly set up this will discharge a debt for a small sum of money. Sometimes creditors will accept as little as 25% of the outstanding balance depending on your circumstances. If you have a lump sum or your relatives want to help you please contact a Housing Debt Advisor on 01296 585168.

Token Offers of Payment

You ask your creditors to accept a payment of as little as £1.00 per month for a period of time. You would normally ask for this when you have no spare money left over after negotiating with your priority creditors. The Housing Debt Advice Team has successfully negotiated token payments for people who have arrears with priority creditors.

Independent Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

This is an insolvency option normally for those with large debts or those running a business who want to continue trading. It normally lasts for 5 years and is managed by an Insolvency Practitioner. For further information you should contact Pay Plan on 0800 716 239.

For impartial advice on debt advice management visit Choose, a consumer website dedicated to helping people make the most of their money.

Date Updated: 18/09/12