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Debt Advice Handbook 16th edition
Chapter 9: Dealing with non-priority debts
Debt Advice Handbook 16th edition
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Debt Advice Handbook 16th edition
Chapter 9: Dealing with non-priority debts
Back to previous
Chapter 9: Dealing with non-priority debts
1. Choosing a strategy
Availability of income
Insurance
Availability of capital
Realisable assets
Equity in the home
Change of circumstances
The amount owed
Type of debt
Repayment period
Enforcement issues
2. The general approach to non-priority debts
When debts may need to be treated differently
3. Strategies for dealing with non-priority debts
Debt management plans
Request a write-off
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Request a partial write-off
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Request that interest be frozen or reduced
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Offer a reduced lump sum in full and final settlement
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Offer payment by a lump sum and instalments
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Holding tactics (moratorium)
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Offer token payments
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Equitable distribution of available income (pro rata payments)
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Consolidate the debts
Advantages
Disadvantages
Equity release loans
Advantages
Disadvantages
Checklist for action
Selling the home
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful arguments
Checklist for action
Voluntary charge
4. Court-based and formal strategies
General stay
Administration order
Bankruptcy and debt relief orders
Individual voluntary arrangement
Time order
5. Debt respite schemes
Breathing space scheme
Standard breathing space moratorium
Eligibility
Mental health crisis moratorium
The role of the debt adviser
Initiating a breathing space moratorium
Non-disclosure of client's address
Creditor request for review
Adviser's midway review
Creditor non-compliance
End of the moratorium
Statutory debt repayment plan
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CPAG. "Chapter 9: Dealing with non-priority debts." In
Debt Advice Handbook 16th edition.
, 2026. Accessed April 5, 2026.
CPAG,
https://askcpag.org.uk/?id=-268440CITANCHOR.
CPAG. "Chapter 9: Dealing with non-priority debts." In
Debt Advice Handbook 16th edition.
, 2026. Accessed April 5, 2026. https://askcpag.org.uk/?id=-268440CITANCHOR.
Contributor(s):
CPAG
Title:
Debt Advice Handbook 16th edition
Site name:
CPAG
Publisher:
Publication date:
February 24, 2026
Date accessed:
April 5, 2026
URL:
https://askcpag.org.uk/?id=-268440CITANCHOR
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