Fresh Start Debt Support
Practical help with council tax arrears, bailiffs, rent and energy bills, and setting an affordable plan (DMP/IVA/DRO) you can keep.
✅ Start Free Manchester Debt CheckQuick answer: Stabilise priority bills first (rent/mortgage, council tax, energy). Ask for Breathing Space to pause most enforcement while we build a budget-based plan. Then choose the best route: an informal DMP or a formal solution like an IVA or DRO where eligible. We’ll help you handle contact pressure and set affordable payments.
Start My Free Manchester Debt CheckWe support people in Manchester city centre, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Bolton. Whether it’s council tax, rent, utilities, credit cards, loans or BNPL, we’ll map everything and build a defendable budget you can stick to.
Most people want to know: who to contact first, how to stop bailiffs quickly, what to do about council tax arrears, whether Breathing Space applies, and which plan (DMP/IVA/DRO) will actually work. This page gives clear next steps and links to trusted local resources.
We’ll stabilise the urgent stuff first (council tax, rent, energy) and reduce contact pressure. Then we’ll set an affordable plan using fair household guidelines so payments are realistic. If you’re eligible, Breathing Space can pause most enforcement while your plan is arranged. Formal options like an IVA or DRO can add legal protections when suitable.
See the Step-by-Step PlanWe deal with council tax, rent/mortgage shortfalls, energy & water arrears, parking & PCNs, and most unsecured debts (credit cards, loans, overdrafts, catalogues/BNPL). If you have a court claim/CCJ, we’ll help you respond on time and propose affordable terms.
Template: Ask for Written ContactIf you choose a formal solution provided by a licensed firm (e.g., an IVA), any fees are agreed with creditors and are taken from your affordable monthly payment — not added on top. You’ll see everything in writing before you decide. For informal DMPs, we’ll show you the total cost and likely timelines with and without interest concessions.
See My Likely CostsDMPs vary based on debt size and creditor concessions. IVAs usually run 5–6 years (sometimes 12 months longer if equity can’t be released). DROs give strong protection for a set period if you meet the criteria. We’ll model both timeline and stress levels so you can choose wisely.
Read FAQs on TimelinesTell us what letters you’ve received and which bills are most urgent. We’ll map everything into a single view, protect essentials, and set an offer creditors are more likely to accept. Use written contact to keep a clear record and avoid agreeing to amounts you can’t keep.
Start Free Manchester Debt CheckAlongside us, you can read impartial guidance from:
Use these alongside our support so you know your rights and protections.
If council tax falls behind, the council can obtain a liability order and instruct enforcement agents. Engage early with a budget and an affordable offer. Ask for Breathing Space if you’re working with a debt adviser. Keep priority bills paid going forward to avoid further costs.
Manchester Council — Council TaxEnforcement agents must follow rules (notice of enforcement, permitted hours, and how they can take control of goods). You can usually keep the door closed and request written contact. Propose a realistic plan based on your budget; avoid agreeing to amounts that will fail.
Your Bailiff Rights (Guide)Breathing Space can pause most enforcement and interest for 60 days while you work with a debt adviser. If you are receiving mental health crisis treatment, Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space can provide longer protection. We’ll check eligibility and arrange it where appropriate.
Breathing Space — How It WorksTalk to your landlord or housing association early and show a clear budget. We’ll help you protect your tenancy, set an arrears plan, and prioritise essentials. Check if you can claim or adjust benefits, Discretionary Housing Payments, or local support.
Housing & Arrears GuidanceIf you’re behind on energy or water, we’ll contact suppliers with you, present an affordability-based offer, and ask about hardship grants, payment matching or priority service registers. Keep evidence of vulnerabilities to support requests.
Help if You’re Struggling with BillsShort on food or essentials? Ask us for a food bank referral or contact Citizens Advice Manchester. Check the council’s local welfare and discretionary support pages. Stabilising essentials prevents further debt escalation.
Citizens Advice ManchesterWe’ll compare routes side-by-side for your situation, including protections, timelines and total cost. If a formal solution is best, we’ll explain every trade-off and only proceed if it’s affordable and defendable.
Compare My Options About IVAs About DROsReceived a claim form? Don’t ignore it. Respond on time and include a full budget. Courts often set affordable payments when you engage and show figures. We’ll help you complete forms and propose terms you can keep.
Find Manchester County Court Help Me Respond to a ClaimWe focus on priority bills, contact pressure and a defendable budget. Then we roll everything into one plan and keep creditors updated in writing. Many clients see stress drop quickly once protections are in place.
Check If I QualifyIf you have multiple debts, collection pressure or arrears on priority bills, we can help. Good signs that a plan will work:
If money is very tight, we’ll still stabilise essentials and check DRO or token offers.
Check My Eligibility Compare with a DMPWe’ll compare routes privately based on your goals (protecting a tenancy/home, speed of relief, long-term credit impact). Bankruptcy can be the fastest reset but comes with stricter impacts. A DMP/IVA/DRO can give structure and breathing room while protecting essentials.
Learn About Bankruptcy Compare All OptionsPriority: council tax, rent/mortgage, energy/water. Non-priority: credit/store cards, loans, overdrafts, BNPL, catalogues, some HMRC arrears. We’ll handle CCJs and letters of claim so you respond on time with a proper budget.
Download Contact ScriptsOnce a plan or protection is in place, most enforcement should pause. If an agent arrives, you can usually keep the door closed and request written contact. We’ll help you agree terms that reflect your budget and circumstances.
Bailiffs: Your Rights Stop Debt CollectorsDefaults and any formal solutions appear on your report for a period (often six years). Many people prefer legal protection and stability now, with credit rebuilding later. We’ll show you a path to recover once you’re stable.
Rebuild Credit (Guide)We’ll speak to landlords or lenders with you, set arrears plans that fit your budget, and check for extra support (benefits, DHPs, council welfare). Keeping somewhere safe to live is the foundation for any debt plan.
Mortgage & Rent Help Get Housing-Safe AdviceEverything is explained in writing before you decide. Where a formal solution is provided by a licensed firm, fees are built into your affordable payment and agreed with creditors. For DMPs, we’ll show your timeline with realistic assumptions.
See How Fees Fit the Process Check My CostsIf a formal route isn’t suitable, we’ll stabilise essentials and use safer alternatives:
A., Hulme: “Council tax and energy had spiralled. They got me Breathing Space and a payment plan I could actually keep.”
R., Salford: “Bailiff letters were terrifying. Written contact and a realistic budget made it manageable.”
L., Stockport: “I chose a DMP over an IVA after seeing both timelines. Stress dropped in weeks.”
Read More TestimonialsUse these trusted resources alongside our help:
They confirm your rights and protections, and how the solutions work.
We’ll move fast: request written contact, propose an affordable plan, and check Breathing Space to pause most enforcement while your plan is set up.
Yes — we’ll talk to the council about a budget-based arrangement and how to prevent new costs. If enforcement has started, we’ll still aim for a realistic plan.
Yes. We use fair guideline ranges and build buffer room. If your income changes, we can review to keep the plan sustainable.
Informal plans are gentler; formal solutions (IVA/DRO) affect your file for up to six years. We’ll weigh the trade-offs with you.
No — many people prefer written-only contact so there’s a clear record. Use our scripts to keep everything in writing.
Get My Free Manchester Debt CheckAnswer these quick questions to see likely options:
Estimate how long repayments might take without help, versus using a protected plan:
Independent sources to understand your rights and options:
These confirm protections and how solutions work in practice.
We’ll help you protect essentials, reduce contact pressure, and set a realistic plan you can stick to — whether that’s a DMP, IVA or DRO.
Start My Free Manchester Debt Check