# Problems Repaying Credit

> What to do if you cannot keep up credit repayments — priority debts, free debt advice, the Breathing Space scheme and how lenders must treat you.

Canonical page: [/credit-borrowing/problems-repaying-credit](/credit-borrowing/problems-repaying-credit/) · Last reviewed: 2026-08-22

If you are struggling to keep up with credit repayments, acting early gives you the most options. Free, confidential debt advice is available, and lenders must treat you fairly.

## Key information

- Contact your lender early — it must treat you fairly and consider support
- Deal with “priority” debts first, as the consequences of not paying them are most serious
- Free debt advice is available; you never need to pay for it
- The Breathing Space scheme can pause most interest, charges and enforcement for up to 60 days

## Why acting early helps

The sooner you speak to your lender, the more options you tend to have. Lenders are expected to treat customers in financial difficulty fairly, which can include agreeing a reduced or paused payment plan, freezing interest, or giving you time. Ignoring letters and missed payments usually makes things worse and can lead to default and enforcement action.

## Priority debts come first

Not all debts are equal. Some are [“priority” debts](/debt-money-problems/priority-debts) because the consequences of not paying them are the most serious — for example losing your home, having services cut off, or facing court action. These should generally be dealt with before non-priority credit such as most credit cards, personal loans and BNPL.

- Priority debts include rent or mortgage, [council tax](/debt-money-problems/council-tax-arrears), energy bills, and court fines
- Non-priority debts include most credit cards, catalogue debt, personal loans and overdrafts
- A debt adviser can help you work out which of your debts to tackle first

## Free debt advice

You never have to pay for debt advice. [Free, independent and confidential help](/debt-money-problems/finding-free-debt-advice) is available from services and charities, and MoneyHelper can point you to them. A debt adviser can check what you are entitled to, help you talk to lenders, and set out options such as a [debt management plan or a formal insolvency solution](/debt-money-problems/debt-solutions-compared) — and explain the pros and cons of each for your situation.

## The Breathing Space scheme

In England and Wales, the [Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)](/debt-money-problems/breathing-space) can give you legal protection while you get advice and make a plan. It pauses most enforcement action and freezes most interest and charges for up to 60 days. You still need to keep paying what you can where possible, and you apply through a debt adviser rather than directly.

There is stronger, longer protection for people receiving mental health crisis treatment. Scotland has its own separate arrangements. Be wary of firms that charge for services you can get free.

## Your rights

- Lenders must treat customers in financial difficulty fairly and consider forbearance, such as pausing or reducing payments.
- You are entitled to free debt advice and never need to pay a company to access help.
- You can complain if a lender or debt collector treats you unfairly, and escalate an unresolved complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge.

## Official sources

- [GOV.UK — Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)](https://www.gov.uk/options-for-dealing-with-your-debts/breathing-space)
- [MoneyHelper — debt advice locator](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator)
- [Financial Ombudsman Service](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk)

## Related

- [Debt Consolidation](/credit-borrowing/debt-consolidation/)
- [Payday Loans & High-Cost Credit](/credit-borrowing/payday-and-high-cost-credit/)
- [Breathing Space](/debt-money-problems/breathing-space/)
- [Finding Free Debt Advice](/debt-money-problems/finding-free-debt-advice/)
- [Debt Collection](/debt-money-problems/debt-collection/)

## Sources

- GOV.UK — [Options for dealing with your debts: Breathing Space](https://www.gov.uk/options-for-dealing-with-your-debts/breathing-space) (accessed 2026-08-22)
- MoneyHelper — [Dealing with debt](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt) (accessed 2026-08-22)