Priority debts
While all debts can be difficult to deal with, certain debts are classed as “priority debts” because the consequences of not dealing with them are greater. For example, if you don’t pay your rent or mortgage you may be subject to eviction or repossession action.
If you are struggling with debt, you should try to prioritise paying your priority debts. Citizens Advice has details on the full list of priority debts.
Alternatively, you can find out more information on support available for some of the most pressing debts below.
Support to pay your rent arrears
If you are struggling to pay your rent, it is important that you contact your landlord to let them know and offer a way to repay what you owe. If you do not, you may be subject to eviction action.
Before contacting your landlord, you should make a budget which shows what can afford to pay. You can use the budget tool from the National Debtline to do this or you can contact a debt advice service for help. Shelter have also provided a template letter you can use to write to your landlord.
If you agree a lower payment with your landlord, it is important that you start paying this straight away and keep a record of payments or communications between yourself and the landlord.
If you are struggling to meet your housing costs, you should check whether you are receiving all the financial support that is available to you.
If you are in rent arrears, you may be eligible for a 60-day period of protection during which your creditors can’t add interest or fees to your debts and can’t take enforcement action, known as a breathing space. The Breathing Space scheme can ease some of the pressures of dealing with debts and give you time to access debt advice or improve your financial situation by accessing benefits or financial support.
If your landlord is threatening eviction for rent arrears, you should contact your local council's housing options service or an independent advice agency such as Shelter.
If you’re having problems with your private landlord or letting agent, it’s important to know your rights. Visit the Mayor of London’s guidance on renters’ rights for more information.
Support if you’ve missed a mortgage payment, or are struggling to pay
If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, but have not missed a payment yet, there are steps you can take.
MoneySavingExpert have a guide on steps you can take to ensure you can continue to pay your mortgage, and the National Debtline have a budget tool you can use to help plan your household budget.
If you have already missed payments on your mortgage, you will be in arrears, and your house may be at risk of repossession. However, this will always be a last resort and if you do fall into arrears the lender must treat you fairly and give you the opportunity to come suggest an affordable payment plan to repay what you owe. MoneySavingExpert have a step-by-step guide on what to do if you have missed a mortgage payment and are in already in arrears.
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be eligible for a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Please see the government’s website for details on eligibility and how to apply.
If you are in mortgage arrears, you may be eligible for a 60-day period of protection during which your creditors can’t add interest or fees to your debts and can’t take enforcement action, known as a breathing space. The Breathing Space scheme can ease some of the pressures of dealing with debts and give you time to access debt advice or improve your financial situation by accessing benefits or financial support.
Support to pay your Council Tax arrears
If you miss a Council Tax payment, you may become liable to pay the whole year’s Council Tax at once, depending on what local authority area you are in. You may also be subject to bailiff action.
If you fall behind on your Council Tax payments, you should contact your local council as soon as possible to try and arrange a payment plan with them. Don’t wait for them to contact you.
You will need to tell them how much you can afford to pay. You can use the budget tool from the National Debtline to help you work out how much you can afford or you can contact a debt advice service for help.
Template letters that you can use to write to your local authority are available from StepChange.
If you are in receipt of certain benefits you may be eligible for financial help with your Council Tax payments.
If you are in Council Tax arrears, you may be eligible for a 60-day period of protection during which your creditors can’t add interest or fees to your debts and can’t take enforcement action, known as a breathing space. The Breathing Space scheme can ease some of the pressures of dealing with debts and give you time to access debt advice or improve your financial situation by accessing benefits or financial support.
Further information and support for dealing with Council Tax arrears is available from StepChange or Citizens Advice.
Support to pay your gas and electricity arrears
Gas and electricity are priority bills. This means the consequences of not paying them are greater than the consequences of not paying other types of bills. If you are struggling with money, you should try to prioritise making payments on your utility bills as you may be at risk of having your energy supply cut off if you do not make payments.
If you are finding it difficult to pay for your gas and electricity, you should contact your energy provider as they may be able to help you. For example, they may be able to put you on a cheaper tariff. Some energy providers may have a hardship fund that you can access to help pay down any money that you owe. If you are struggling with debt, you can contact a debt advice service for support.
There are a number of schemes which can help you save on your energy bills. Find out what help may be available to you.
If you are in arrears on your utility bills, you may be eligible for a 60-day breathing space. The Breathing Space scheme can ease some of the pressures of dealing with debts and give you time to access debt advice or improve your financial situation by accessing benefits or financial support.
The National Debtline have created a factsheet which provides further information on dealing with arrears on your gas and electricity bills.
If your energy supplier is threatening to cut off your energy supply, Citizens Advice has information on what you can do.