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Council tax debt Arrears, a summons or a liability order Credit cards & loans Cards, personal loans or overdrafts Bailiffs at the door Enforcement agents contacting or visiting you Can't afford essentials Food, energy or rent right now Multiple debts Several things to pay, not sure where to start Money & mental health Debt is affecting how you feel

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Council tax debt

Here's what this means, in plain English.

Council tax is a priority debt, so councils have stronger powers than most lenders. But they have to follow a set process, and there's almost always room to agree a payment plan.

Your rights

The council must send a reminder before taking any further action.
You can ask to spread missed payments across the rest of the year.
Bailiffs can only be used after a court grants a liability order.
You may qualify for Council Tax Support or a discount you aren't claiming.

Watch for these terms

Liability order: A court order confirming the debt, which unlocks enforcement options.
Attachment of earnings: Money taken straight from your wages to clear the arrears.

What to do next

You can ask your council for an affordable payment arrangement.
You can get free advice before any liability order hearing.
You can check whether you're entitled to Council Tax Support.

Credit cards & loans

Here's what this means, in plain English.

Credit cards, store cards, personal loans and overdrafts are non-priority debts. Missing payments has consequences, but lenders are FCA-regulated and have to treat you fairly and look at your situation.

Your rights

Lenders must treat you fairly and consider reasonable repayment offers.
You can ask for breathing space from interest and charges while you get advice.
A default is usually recorded after several missed payments, not immediately.
You can complain to the Financial Ombudsman if a lender treats you unfairly.

Watch for these terms

Default notice: A formal warning that an account will default if arrears aren't cleared.
Non-priority debt: A debt where the consequences are less severe than losing your home or energy.

What to do next

You can get free debt advice before agreeing any new repayment plan.
You can ask each lender about hardship or forbearance options.
You can check whether a Debt Management Plan fits your situation.

Bailiffs at the door

Here's what this means, in plain English.

Bailiffs (enforcement agents) have strict legal limits. Knowing your rights changes the conversation, and most bailiffs cannot force their way into your home.

Your rights

For most debts, a bailiff cannot force entry on a first visit.
You don't have to open the door, and you can ask for ID and proof of the debt.
Bailiffs can usually only visit between 6am and 9pm.
Essential household items and work tools are usually protected.

Watch for these terms

Peaceable entry: Entering through an unlocked door without force, which you can prevent.
Controlled goods agreement: A list of items a bailiff can take if you don't pay.

What to do next

You can get free advice before letting a bailiff in or signing anything.
You can ask the creditor to take the debt back in some cases.
You can complain if a bailiff breaks the rules.

Can't afford essentials

Here's what this means, in plain English.

If you can't afford food, energy or rent right now, there is emergency help, and priority bills come first. Support exists, and you are not the first person to be here.

Your rights

Energy suppliers must offer help if you're struggling.
Your council may offer welfare assistance for food, energy or essentials.
Grants you don't pay back may be available from charities and funds.
Food banks can provide emergency food, usually through a referral.

Watch for these terms

Priority bills: Rent, mortgage, council tax and energy, where the consequences are most serious.
Welfare assistance scheme: Local council emergency help for essentials.

What to do next

You can check what grants you might qualify for.
You can ask your council about local welfare assistance.
You can get a food bank referral through a free adviser.

Multiple debts

Here's what this means, in plain English.

When several debts pile up, the key is sorting priority debts from non-priority ones, then getting one plan. Free debt advisers do this every day, at no cost.

Your rights

Free debt advice is independent and never charges you.
You can ask for breathing space to pause interest, charges and enforcement.
Priority debts are dealt with first because the consequences are most serious.
Solutions such as a DMP or DRO may fit, depending on your situation.

Watch for these terms

Priority vs non-priority debt: Which debts carry the most serious consequences.
Debt Management Plan (DMP): One affordable monthly payment shared across debts.

What to do next

You can get a full, free debt assessment before choosing any solution.
You can list your debts as priority or non-priority with an adviser's help.
You can ask about breathing space while you get advice.

Money & mental health

Here's what this means, in plain English.

Debt and mental health feed each other, and that's common, not a weakness. You can get support for how you feel and for the debt at the same time, both free.

Your rights

Support for your mental health is free and confidential.
Lenders must make reasonable adjustments if your mental health affects how you manage debt.
You can ask a debt adviser to deal with creditors on your behalf.
If you're in crisis, urgent help is available at any time.

Watch for these terms

Reasonable adjustments: Changes a lender makes to support you fairly.
Breathing space: A pause on interest, charges and enforcement while you get help.

What to do next

You can talk to someone confidentially today.
You can get free debt advice without facing it alone.
You can ask for support that covers both money and mental health.

Verified, free help for council tax debt.

Every organisation below is UK-regulated or a recognised charity, and verified by hand. They're all free. We don't get paid if you use them.

Citizens Advice

Independent charity network
Charity
Visit site
National Debtline

Run by the Money Advice Trust
Regulated
Visit site
StepChange Debt Charity

FCA-authorised debt charity
Regulated charity
Visit site
Your local council

Find yours via GOV.UK
Government

Search GOV.UK for "find your local council".