Debt solutions
Ways to deal with debts you can’t keep up with. See all debt solutions.
Debt management plan (DMP)
One affordable monthly payment, shared between creditors. Free from charities.
Individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)
A legally binding plan, usually 5–6 years, then the rest is written off.
Debt relief order (DRO)
For debts up to £50,000 and low income – no fee, debts written off after 12 months.
Bankruptcy
How it works, the £680 fee and what happens to your home and assets.
Breathing Space
Up to 60 days’ pause on most creditor action, interest and charges.
Full and final settlement
Offering a lump sum to clear a debt for less than you owe.
Debt consolidation loans
When combining debts into one loan helps – and when it doesn’t.
Debt snowball method
Paying off the smallest balance first, compared with the avalanche method.
Help with a specific debt problem
Guides to what happens next and your rights. See all debt problems.
County court judgment (CCJ)
Claim forms, deadlines, paying within a month and setting judgments aside.
Bailiffs (enforcement agents)
What bailiffs can and can’t do, their fees and how to stop a visit.
Council tax arrears
Reminders, liability orders and how to agree an arrangement with the council.
HMRC tax debt
Time to Pay arrangements and what HMRC can do if you don’t pay.
Eviction and rent arrears
Notices, court stages and where to get urgent housing help.
Attachment of earnings
When money is taken from your wages and how to change the amount.
Freezing interest on debts
How to ask creditors to freeze interest and charges, and your rights.
Statute-barred debt
When old debts can no longer be enforced through the courts.
Comparisons
Side-by-side guides to help you choose. See the master comparison table.
Tools and reference
Work out your numbers and look up unfamiliar terms.
Debt repayment calculator
See how long repayments take and which solutions might fit your figures.
All tools
Every calculator and checker on this site.
Debt glossary
Plain-English definitions of UK debt terms, from arrears to write-off.
Find free debt advice
Free, regulated debt advice services and helplines.
Not sure where to start?
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Deal with priority debts first
Rent or mortgage arrears, council tax, energy, court fines and child maintenance can lead to eviction, enforcement or other serious consequences, so they come before credit cards and loans.
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Work out your budget
List your income and essential spending to find what you can afford. Our debt calculator gives a rough picture of how long repayment would take.
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Compare your options
Use the comparison table to see which solutions might fit, and the glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
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Get free advice
Free services such as StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and the MoneyHelper debt advice locator can confirm the right option – see find free debt advice.