Priority Debt
What is a priority debt?
When speaking to our advisors, they will review your income/expenditure and consider your priority bills – ensuring payments are maintained during a debt solution.
What is classed as a priority debt / payment?
- Mortgage or rent
- Council tax
- TV licence
- Bailiff debt
- Child maintenance
- Hire purchase / lease agreement
- Utility bills (gas, electric and water)
- Childcare costs
- Court fine
It is important you seek advice to ensure priority payments are managed over non-priority payments (credit cards, loans etc.) if you are struggling to maintain your priority bills. Missing payments on priority debts could have serious consequences such as eviction or repossession.
Bailiffs
We have a specialist bailiff helpline – ‘Stop Bailiffs’. As they can remove goods from you, it is important to deal with any bailiff debts as soon as you receive contact to avoid bailiff visits. This specialist team can assist with urgent bailiff contact.
Bailiffs can only deal with certain debts – for instance council tax, court fines, CCJs and parking fines. It can be hard to negotiate an arrangement with the bailiff and because of this, our experienced team are on hand to help. Contact Stop Bailiffs on 01392 91100 and ask to speak to the bailiff team.
What debts can be included in debt solutions?
- Loans
- Credit cards
- Overdraft
- Credit sale agreement
- Payday loans
- Council tax arrears
- Utility arrears
- Overpayment in benefits (as long as they are not fraudulently claimed)
What can’t be included in debt solutions?
- TV licence arrears
- Child maintenance
- Court fines
- Driving offence fines
- Fraudulently claimed debts