Do debts get written off after 6 years?

A debt becomes statute-barred when enough time has passed that a creditor can no longer take legal action to enforce it.

For most unsecured debts in England and Wales, this is usually six years under the Limitation Act.

If a debt is statute-barred:

• it usually can’t be enforced through the courts
• you may still technically owe the money
• it can still appear on your credit file

A debt will usually only become statute-barred if all of the following apply:

• no payments have been made during the 6 years
• you haven’t written to or acknowledged the debt
• the creditor hasn’t already started court action

If any of these change, the time limit can reset or no longer apply.

Not all debts follow the same rules or time limits.

For example:

• HMRC debts don’t usually follow the same limitation rules
• mortgage shortfalls can have different timeframes
• debts with a County Court Judgment (CCJ) are treated differently

Because of this, it’s never safe to assume a debt is unenforceable without checking properly.

If a debt is statute-barred:

• it usually can’t be enforced through the courts
• creditors may still contact you to request payment
• you can choose whether or not to pay it

You can also ask a creditor to stop contacting you if you don’t intend to make payments.

If you think this might apply to you, it’s important not to rush into anything.

It can help to:

• check when you last made a payment
• review any letters or contact about the debt
• avoid confirming or acknowledging the debt until you’re sure

If you get this wrong, it can restart the time limit.

If you’re unsure, it’s worth getting clarity before responding or ignoring anything.

At Money Advisory Centre, we can:

• help you check whether a debt may be statute-barred
• explain what it means for you
• help you decide what to do next

It’s important to understand your position fully before making any decisions, especially where legal time limits may apply.

Debt solutions may affect your credit rating. Fees may apply depending on the solution. Individual circumstances vary.