Breathing Space: How the UK 60-Day Protection Works (Plus the Mental Health Option)

30-second answer

Breathing Space gives you legal protections while you get debt advice: most creditor contact and enforcement are paused, and most interest/fees on included debts are frozen — typically for up to 60 days. You must keep up ongoing bills and engage with your adviser. If you’re receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment, Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts for the treatment period plus 30 days.

How to Apply for Breathing Space

The simple route

You apply through a debt adviser who submits the application if it’s right for you. We’ll help you prepare your details and connect you to a suitable FCA-authorised provider to start Breathing Space fast.

What your adviser will ask for

• Full list of debts and references
• Income and essential household costs
• Any urgent enforcement/bailiff timelines

Next step: Eligibility • Stabilise calls: Stop Creditor Contact

Eligibility & Conditions: Do You Qualify?

Standard Breathing Space (60 days)

• Live or usually reside in England or Wales
• Have at least one qualifying debt
• Not currently in a DRO/IVA/bankruptcy/interim order
• Not used a standard Breathing Space in the last 12 months
• Engage with debt advice during the moratorium

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MH-CBS)

Available while you’re receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment; protections last for the treatment period plus 30 days. There is no 12-month limit on how often you can access MH-CBS.

Compare options next: IVA vs DMP vs DRO

What Breathing Space Covers — and What Continues

Protections you get

• Most enforcement and creditor contact paused on included debts
• Most interest/fees frozen on included debts during the period
• Bailiffs and courts informed to pause enforcement for qualifying debts

What continues

• Ongoing bills and liabilities (e.g., rent, mortgage, utilities, council tax current year)
• Creditors can still record missed payments with credit reference agencies

Debts commonly included

Credit cards, loans, overdrafts, catalogues/BNPL, council tax arrears, energy/water arrears, and many public-sector debts.

Read next: Credit file impact • Bailiffs: Your Rights

Council Tax & Bailiffs During Breathing Space

Good to know

For included debts, council tax enforcement and most bailiff action should pause while you’re in Breathing Space. Courts and enforcement agents are notified to halt qualifying enforcement. If a visit is already scheduled, show your case details and contact your adviser urgently.

Act fast

• Use the window to agree an affordable plan
• Keep current year council tax payments up to date
• If vulnerable, request reasonable adjustments and written-only contact

Learn more: Council Tax Debt • Bailiffs

Does Breathing Space Affect Your Credit Score?

The short answer

Breathing Space itself isn’t recorded as a marker on your credit file and there’s no automatic flag after it ends. However, missed payments during the period can still be reported in the usual way — so keep up what you can and plan your next step early.

Make it work for you

• Stabilise priority bills to avoid new arrears
• Use the time to choose a solution: DMP / IVA / DRO
• Switch to written-only contact for a paper trail

High-Intent Questions People Ask About Breathing Space

Can I use Breathing Space twice?

You can’t start a standard Breathing Space if you had a standard one in the last 12 months. The mental health version has no 12-month limit.

Does Breathing Space stop bailiffs?

Yes, for included debts: most enforcement should pause while protections apply. Always keep proof to hand and notify your adviser of any contact.

Is rent or mortgage included?

Arrears can be covered, but ongoing rent/mortgage payments should continue. Prioritise housing stability in your budget.

Self-employed?

Yes, you can be eligible. We’ll average income and map a route (short-term DMP, IVA or DRO) once protections start.

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (During Treatment)

How it works

Protections last for the duration of qualifying mental health crisis treatment plus 30 days. An Approved Mental Health Professional or other authorised healthcare contact verifies treatment so your adviser can initiate protections.

Why it helps

• Stops most enforcement on included debts while you receive treatment
• Freezes most interest/charges during the period
• No limit on the number of MH-CBS entries (unlike standard 12-month rule)

Related: Stop Creditor Contact • Compare Solutions

Wording & Scripts to Use Right Now

“I’m entering Breathing Space — contact in writing only”

Hold-action request

Vulnerability note

Next: Affordable Repayment Plans • Bailiffs: Your Rights

After Breathing Space: Choose the Route That Fits

What to weigh up

• DMP — flexible, informal repayment
• IVA — legal protection + finish line; interest/charges usually frozen; potential write-off at completion
• DRO — strict criteria; powerful relief if eligible

Also see: IVA vs DMP vs DRO • What is an IVA?

Action Checklist: Make Breathing Space Count

Today

• List debts, references and balances
• Switch to written-only contact and keep a log
• Send a hold-action request while your application is prepared

This week

• Apply via an adviser; keep priority bills paid
• If bailiffs are involved, read your rights and share your case details
• Map a realistic budget with a small buffer

Next

• Choose DMP/IVA/DRO and set up affordable payments
• Ask for reasonable adjustments if you’re vulnerable

Ready to Pause the Pressure and Make a Plan?

We’ll prepare your application details, connect you with the right FCA-authorised advice provider, and help you choose the best next step — DMP, IVA or DRO.

FAQs: Breathing Space (England & Wales)

How long does Breathing Space last?

Standard Breathing Space lasts up to 60 days. Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts for the treatment period plus 30 days.

Can I apply more than once?

You can only start a standard Breathing Space if you’ve not had one in the last 12 months. The mental health version has no such limit.

Will it stop bailiffs and court action?

For included debts, most enforcement and contact should pause. Courts and enforcement agents are told to halt qualifying action while protections apply.

Does it affect my credit score?

There’s no automatic Breathing Space marker on your credit file, but missed payments can still be recorded in the usual way.

Do I still have to pay bills?

Yes — ongoing liabilities (e.g., rent, mortgage, utilities, current year council tax) should continue. Use the period to set up an affordable long-term plan.

How do I start quickly?

Share your details and we’ll connect you with a suitable FCA-authorised adviser to initiate Breathing Space and map your next steps.