Loan and credit problems
Loans that aren't secured on your home (like a mortgage would be, for example), overdrafts, credit cards and mail order agreements are often known as 'non-priority' debts. You generally have to deal with these debts by coming to an arrangement with the creditor to pay an amount you can afford. If you can't come to an affordable arrangement, the creditor may claim their money through the court. The court can then order you to make payments at a rate you can afford, after looking at your income and outgoings (expenses). As long as you can keep up with payments as ordered by the court, the creditor cannot take enforcement action (such as using bailiffs) against you.
One way you can deal with debts is by getting a 'time order'. You can ask the court for a time order if you have a regulated credit agreement and the creditor has sent you a default notice (a formal warning that you have missed payments). A time order means the court can reduce or even stop the interest that is mounting up on the money you owe, and reduce the payments to a level you can afford.
But you have to show the court that you have real difficulty making the original payments. You may also have to show that you would be able to pay the full instalments again later.
If you get a time order, the missed payments will still be listed on your credit reference file, so you may have trouble getting credit in the future.
If you want to apply for a time order, you must first write to the creditor explaining how much you think you can afford to pay and over what period. If the creditor refuses your offer, you can apply to the county court for the time order, and it will decide whether your offer is reasonable.
Alternatively, you can simply go ahead and pay the creditor what you've offered. If it doesn't think that you're paying enough, it has the option of making a claim through the courts. You can apply for a time order at this point. An advantage of this route is that you don't have to pay the court fee.
Additional sections in the Community Legal Advice leaflet 'Dealing with Debt':
1. Rent or mortgage payment problems
4. Gas, electricity and phone bills
7. What creditors can do to get their money?
11. Other legal protection if you are in debt
12. When you can be sent to prison for your debts
13. Terms used when dealing with debt
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