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Facing up to your debt problem

Almost everyone owes money - bills are a fact of life. But sometimes you may find you are swamped with debts and can't see a way of paying them all. The worst thing you can do is to ignore the problem - it won't just go away.

Getting debt advice

You can get free and independent advice to help you deal with your debt problem from organisations like Citizens Advice and the National Debtline.

• Debt - where to get free help and advice

Making the most of your money

If you're in debt, work out a realistic personal budget so you know where your money's going - and how much you can afford to pay your creditors (people you owe money to).

If you don't have enough money to pay off your debts, look at ways of cutting your costs and increasing your income.

Cutting your costs

You can look at your expenses to see where you can make savings. You could also try shopping around to reduce bills, or think about selling non-essential items that you own (for example, a second car).

Increasing your income

You may be in debt because you're not receiving all the money you're entitled to. For example:

• How to find out if you qualify for benefits

• Read more about increasing your income from National Debtline (PDF, 47K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Ways of repaying your debts

There are many ways to repay your debts. You can get free and independent debt advice online and face to face to help you find the best way to deal with your debt problem.

This includes advice on what restrictions and responsibilities you have to agree to and how different repayment options affect things like:

• your credit rating
  
• your home – for example, if it is still at risk of being sold to pay your debts
  
• what action your creditors can take to recover their money - for example, taking you to court to make you bankrupt

Informal arrangements

An informal arrangement is where you agree with your creditors to make regular payments towards your debts over a period of time.

• Informal arrangements - ways out of debt

Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs)

Individual voluntary arrangements are formal agreements with your creditors to pay all or part of your debts over a period of time. They have to be set up by an authorised debt specialist and there are certain costs you need to pay.

• Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) - ways out of debt

Debt management companies (DMCs)

DMCs offer help if you're in debt (they usually only deal with non-priority debts - see the link 'Find out more about non-priority debts' below). They negotiate with your creditors on your behalf to reduce the payments you are making overall. You then make one payment to the DMC, which distributes it to your creditors.

Most DMCs charge a fee, so you may have less money from your available income to settle your debts. However, organisations like the National Debtline and Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) offer free debt management plans.

• Find out more about non-priority debts

• Debt management plans - ways out of debt

Administration Orders

An Administration Order can help you deal with your debts if they are £5,000 or less and you can can afford to make regular payments to your creditors. You have to apply for an Administration Order through your local county court and there are certain costs and conditions you need to meet.

• Administration Orders - ways out of debt

Bankruptcy

When you are made bankrupt, a person called a ‘trustee’ is appointed to take control of your assets (possessions, home, spare income etc) and sell or use them to help pay your debts. Your financial affairs will be investigated and you have to agree to certain restrictions. For example, you can’t borrow more than £500 without telling the lender you are bankrupt.

• Bankruptcy - a guide

Debt relief orders

Debt relief orders (DROs).can help you deal with certain types of debt if you owe less than £15,000, have little spare income and don’t own your home. You have to apply for a DRO through an authorised debt specialist.

• Debt relief orders - ways out of bankruptcy

Fast-track voluntary arrangements

If you have been made bankrupt, a fast-track voluntary arrangement (FTVA) may be a way to annul (cancel) the bankruptcy and deal with your debts.

You have to apply for an FTVA through an officer of the bankruptcy court called the ‘Official Receiver’ and your creditors have to agree to it. There are costs involved and conditions you need to meet. For example, you must have assets (property, shares etc) that are easy to sell.

• Fast-track voluntary arrangements - ways out of bankruptcy

Consolidating your debts

Consolidating debt is when you take out a single new loan to pay off several existing debts. You should get independent advice before taking out a loan and make sure it's the right way to deal with your debt problem.

• Consolidating debts

More useful links

• Debt - where to get free help and advice

• Dealing with debt problems - a guide

• Debts and arrears

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts