ARTICLES
Every debt topic, written plainly.
Deep-dives on the concepts, letters, credit-file mechanics and legal moves behind UK debt. Written for real people, not clients of a service. Read them in order or dip in to what you need.
Debt Solutions
5 piecesDebt Relief Order (DRO) UK 2026: Eligibility, Risks and Alternatives
Full 2026 guide to Debt Relief Orders in England and Wales: the £50,000 debt limit, £75 spare income rule, £2,000 asset check, 12-month moratorium, credit-file impact and safer alternatives.
How Does StepChange Make Money? · What to Know Before You Call
StepChange is free to callers, so where does the money come from? Fair Share Contributions, IVA fees and the funding structure of the UK
Is a Debt Management Plan Worth It? UK DMP Guide 2026
Is a DMP worth it? Understand provider fees, creditor funding, repayment time, credit-file effects and alternatives before agreeing to a plan.
Bankruptcy UK · Rules, Risks and Options
Bankruptcy can write off many debts, but it affects your home, car, bank account, job and credit file. Learn the £680 fee, the 12 month process, what is not written off, and which alternatives to compare first.
Before You Sign an IVA · Risks and Options
Thinking about an IVA? Learn the hidden risks, fees, credit impact, public register, failure risks and alternative UK debt options to consider first.
Statute Barred and Old Debt
1 pieceMoney Habits
1 pieceDebt Collectors
5 piecesShould You Ignore Debt Collection Letters in the UK? (2026-27 Guide)
Ignoring a debt collection letter feels safest. It rarely is. This 2026-27 UK guide explains what those letters mean, what happens if you ignore them, and how the £1 letter and 30-day reply rule change everything.
Debt Collector Pressure Tactics UK: How To Recognise Them And Stop Them From Getting Under Your Skin
Debt collector letters and calls are designed to prompt a response, and some tactics cross the line. Here is what UK rules say collectors can and cannot do, how to spot pressure language, and how to limit contact the right way.
How Much Do Debt Collectors Pay for Debt? What Changes When Your Debt Is Sold
What UK debt buyers paid for debts, how a sale works, the notice you must get, what changes and what doesn’t, and a free letter asking for the notice and a statement.
Why Do Debt Collectors Settle for Less? What the Rules Say and What to Get in Writing
Why a UK debt collector may accept less than you owe, what the FCA rules say they must do with your offer, what the acceptance must say, and a free settlement letter.
Should You Call or Write to a Debt Collector in the UK?
Debt collector called or written? Learn why replying in writing protects you, when a call may help, what to check before you agree to pay, and how to ask for confirmation.
Homeowners
2 piecesCharging Orders UK · How to Stop One
Worried about a debt being secured on your home? Learn how charging orders work in the UK, the 28-day objection window, what a final order means, and when an order for sale is possible.
Order for Sale UK · Can You Stop It
A charging order is not the same as an order for sale. Learn how the second court claim works, the 14 day acknowledgement deadline, what the court weighs up, and how to reduce the risk.
Borrowing
4 piecesSection 75 UK · Credit Card Refund Rights and How to Claim
Section 75 makes your credit card provider liable with the seller when a purchase goes wrong. What it covers, the gaps, and how to claim, with a free letter.
BNPL Rules 2026 UK · What Changes and What Doesn't
From 15 July 2026 the FCA regulates third-party BNPL as Deferred Payment Credit. What changes, what still is not covered, and what to check if you already use Klarna or Clearpay.
Buying a House With a Partner in the UK · The Debt You Both Take On
A joint mortgage is the biggest secured debt most people ever sign. Joint and several liability, the common law marriage myth, and why joint tenants vs tenants in common changes what happens if things go wrong.
Debt Consolidation Loans UK: Pros, Cons & Risks
What a debt consolidation loan really does to your debts, the FCA rules on affordability and representative APR, credit file impact, and what to check before you sign.
Credit Cards
1 pieceCreditor Letters
1 pieceCredit Rating
1 pieceDebt Management
2 piecesHow to Get Out of Debt in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide 2026
A practical, statute-backed route out of debt for England and Wales. Priority debts, Breathing Space, the FCA forbearance rule, how to negotiate, and which route fits which situation.
Token Payments UK: How to Pay Less When You Can’t Afford Your Debts
Can’t afford your debt repayments? How UK token payments work, what the FCA rules make creditors do, how much to offer, and a free token payment letter.
Business Debt
1 pieceDebt Basics
1 pieceCar Finance
3 piecesHow Car Finance Works in the UK: HP, PCP, Loans and Your Rights (2026)
Over 2 million UK cars are bought on finance a year. Understand HP, PCP, PCH and personal loans, who owns the car, what happens if you fall behind, and your rights under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Is PCP Car Finance a Good Idea? UK PCP Guide 2026
Thinking about PCP car finance? Understand the maths, the mileage traps, negative equity, the FCA £830 DCA redress scheme, and every legal way out under the Consumer Credit Act.
Mis-Sold Car Finance UK: Are You Owed £830? FCA Redress Scheme 2026
The FCA redress scheme covers 12.1 million car finance agreements taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, with average compensation around £830. Check if you qualify, how the payout is worked out, why the scheme is currently paused, and how to file the claim yourself for free.
Student Loans
1 pieceBankruptcy
1 pieceCredit and Your File
3 piecesShould You Pay Off a Defaulted Debt in the UK?
A default stays on your credit file for six years whether you pay it off or not. What settling actually changes, what it does not, and when paying makes sense.
Is Your Credit Score Really That Important When You're Struggling? UK Guide
Millions cut essentials to protect a credit score. UK guide using CRC, MAT and FCA sources: when your score matters, when it is a distraction, and how a file rebuilds.
Can Bad Credit Affect Getting a Job in the UK? What Employers Actually See
Most UK employers do not check credit histories. Some roles do, by law or regulation. Here is what an employer actually sees, whose consent is needed, and which UK roles require a credit check.
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