Chapter 8: Dealing with priority debts1. Deciding on prioritiesSecured loansRentGround rent and leasehold chargesCouncil taxFines, maintenance and compensation ordersChild supportUtility chargesTV licenceTax and value added taxHire purchase, conditional sale agreements and bills of saleNational insurance contributionsTax credit overpayments2. The general approach to priority debtsPrioritise the debts3. Strategies for dealing with priority debtsInterest-only payments (for mortgages and secured loans)When applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionChange from an endowment to a repayment mortgageWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionReduced paymentsWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionCapitalise arrearsWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionScheduled payment of arrearsSecured loansRent, fuel and council taxWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionMortgage rescue schemesMortgage rescue and bankruptcyWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesChecklist for actionSale and rent-back schemesWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesChecklist for actionSale of the propertyNegative equityWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionRefinancingWhen applicableWhen refinancing is not applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionTime ordersWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionVoluntary chargeWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionDeductions from benefitsFactors to considerAdvantagesDisadvantagesChecklist for actionGas and electricity prepayment metersWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for actionWriting off debtsWhen applicableAdvantagesDisadvantagesUseful argumentsChecklist for action4. Emergency actionPreventing fuel disconnectionPreventing the home being lostPreventing goods being taken control of by magistrates’ court enforcement agentsPreventing goods being taken control of for council tax arrearsPreventing the local authority taking bankruptcy proceedingsPreventing goods being taken control of by county court enforcement agentsPreventing goods being taken control of by High Court enforcement officersPreventing goods being taken control of by tax enforcement agentsPreventing imprisonmentWarrant with bailWarrant without bailCommittal hearingAfter imprisonment