Information » Money » Debt
1. A money management problem - this is where they do have sufficient income to cover their essential expenditure (food, travel, rent/mortgage etc) and credit commitments but they basically spend too much on non-essential items. In these circumstances, they require budgeting advice and need to reduce the amount they spend on discretionary items such as clothes, eating out etc.
2. A debt problem - this is where they do not have sufficient income to cover both essential expenditure and monthly credit commitments. In these circumstances, they will need to seek advice from a national debt charity (such as National Debtline or Debt Advice Foundation), who will recommend the most appropriate solution for their situation (whether that be Administration Order, Debt Relief Order, Debt management, Bankruptcy, Equity Release or Individual Voluntary Arrangement for example - it’s very complicated and which solution is right for you depends on how much you owe, how much you have available to pay back to your creditors each month and whether you have any assets you wish to protect, such as your home).
- Debt is when you owe money to someone
- Most people will find themselves in debt at some point in the life, whether it is money you owe for a credit card bill or a student loan
- Debt only becomes a problem if you find yourself owing money that you can't pay back
- If you are in debt that you can't repay, the most important thing is not to panic and don't ignore the problem - it won't go away
- If you have problems with debt, you must address them as soon as possible. There are people who can help you and plenty of ways to help you reduce your debt
- If you are in debt, talk to someone. It might help to tell a family member or friend who could help you or you could talk to the Citizens Advice Bureau for free and confidential advice
- There are different types of debt, depending on their priority to pay the money back
Priority debts
- Priority debts are the debts that the creditors (the people you owe the money to) can take the strongest legal action against you if you don't repay the money. These include:
- Mortgage repayments - the mortgage lender can take court action for possession of your home
- Rent - the landlord can evict you if you owe rent
- Income tax and VAT - you can be made bankrupt or imprisoned for non-payment of income tax or VAT
- Fines, such as magistrates court fines for traffic offences. If these are not paid, the court can use bailiffs to repossess your goods. If, after this, you still have arrears unpaid, you can be sent to prison
- Maintenance, child support or, council tax or rates. If these are not paid, a court can use bailiffs to repossess your goods. If, after this, you still have arrears unpaid, you can be sent to prison
- Gas, Electric and oil debts - if these bills are not paid you can have your supply disconnected
- Hire purchase (sometimes called 'conditional sale') will be a priority debt if it is for an essential item, for example, if you have bought a car on HP and need the car to go to work
- It is important to pay off any priority debts first before any non-priority debts
Non-priority debts
- Non-priority debts include:
- Credit card and store card arrears
- Catalogue arrears
- Bank overdrafts and loans
- Benefits overpayments
- Hire purchase (sometimes called 'conditional sale') will be a non-priority debt if it is for non-essential goods like a TV
- Money borrowed from family or friends
- Although the creditors for non-priority debts can take court action against you if you do not pay and may send in the bailiffs, you cannot be sent to prison
