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England

Debt and money

Court processes to enforce a debt, and insolvency options for a person in debt to deal with their situation.

This content applies to England & Wales
  • Where to get debt and money advice

    Debt advice and solutions are available from an FCA-authorised debt adviser, local authority, or through legal aid if the debt could result in the loss of the person's home.

  • How to help someone in a financial crisis

    A guide for advisers on how to help someone in a financial crisis, in rent or mortgage arrears or in need of other financial support.

  • Council tax

    Council tax is payable by residents to a local authority.

  • Banking and financial services

    Bank account applications, information about how to choose a basic bank account, problems managing bank accounts, and how to complain.

  • Debt relief orders

    A debt relief order is a way for someone to have up to £50,000 of qualifying debts written off if they have a low income and little or no assets of value.

  • Breathing space and mental health crisis moratoriums

    A breathing space or mental health crisis moratorium can give a debtor respite from enforcement for eligible debts.

  • Debts incurred through fraud

    Debts that have been incurred through the debtor's fraud are not written off in bankruptcy or a debt relief order and cannot be included in breathing space.

  • Possession proceedings against a bankrupt tenant

    If the tenant is bankrupt, the possession proceedings can continue but there are restrictions on the rent that the landlord can recover.

  • Money claims and judgments

    Money claims in the County Court are issued by a claimant for the repayment of a debt owed by the defendant.

  • Money judgments in possession proceedings

    Landlords may claim rent arrears and costs in possession proceedings and when they take steps to enforce, judgments may appear on the credit reference file.

  • Equitable interest in property

    Equitable interest in land is the money that a legal owner, joint owner, or non-legal owner is entitled to from a sale of the property.

  • Charging orders and orders for sale

    Court orders securing unpaid debts against land owned by the debtor, and orders forcing the sale of their property.

  • Magistrates' court fines

    A magistrates' court fine can be challenged if the debtor was not aware of it, paid at an affordable rate, or remitted if it is not affordable.

  • Challenging guarantor agreements

    A guarantor agrees to be liable for a debt if the principal debtor fails to pay what they owe under their agreement.

  • Debt case law summaries

    Debt case law summaries give an overview of important court decisions in breathing space, enforcement, housing debt, and more.