Priority vs non-priority debts explained

Priority debts are the ones that can cause the most serious problems if they’re not paid.

These usually include:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Council tax
• Gas and electricity bills
• Court fines
• Child maintenance

These are called priority debts because missing them can affect your home, essential services or lead to legal action.

If these debts are missed, the situation can escalate more quickly than other types of borrowing.

This may lead to:

• Losing your home through eviction or repossession
• Energy supply being restricted or moved to a prepayment meter
• Enforcement action, including bailiff involvement

These outcomes don’t usually happen straight away, but they can build over time if nothing is done.

Non-priority debts are still important, but they don’t usually carry the same immediate risk.

These include:

• Credit cards
• Personal loans
• Overdrafts
• Store cards

Missing payments can still affect your credit file and may lead to you being contacted about the debt, but they don’t usually put your home or essential services at risk in the same way.

If money is tight, it can help to step back and focus on what matters most.

A simple way to approach it is:

Start with anything linked to your home or essential services, such as rent, mortgage or energy bills.

Then look at anything that could lead to court action or enforcement if it’s missed.

After that, focus on unsecured debts like credit cards or loans.

If you’re not sure, it can help to list everything you owe and go through it one by one. It’s often easier to make decisions once everything is in front of you.

If things are starting to feel difficult, you don’t have to work it all out on your own.

We’ll go through your situation with you, work out what you can realistically afford and handle contact with your creditors so you’re not having to manage it all yourself.

The aim is simple — to bring everything back into a plan that feels manageable and stops things from escalating further.

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