Fresh Start Debt Support
Searching “what is Lowell” usually means you’ve received a letter, email or call and want to know who they are and what happens next. This page is a plain-English guide to Lowell (often seen as Lowell Portfolio or Lowell Solicitors): why they’re contacting you, how purchased debts work, what they can and can’t do, and the practical steps to turn the pressure into a clear, affordable plan.
At Fresh Start Debt Support we help you protect essentials, understand your rights, and—where appropriate—use Breathing Space to pause most enforcement while we prepare a suitable route such as a Debt Management Plan (DMP), an IVA or a DRO. If Lowell are already chasing, we’ll show you exactly how to respond calmly and consistently.
Start My Free Lowell Debt CheckWant scripts and immediate actions? Read Stop Debt Collectors and our general explainer What is debt collection?. If you hold multiple balances, compare routes at Compare Solutions.
Lowell commonly buys accounts from banks, credit card providers, catalogues and telecoms. If they purchased your account, they now own the balance and will pursue repayment. You should receive or have received a Notice of Assignment confirming the transfer. If you didn’t, you can ask them to evidence the assignment in writing.
Sometimes Lowell may be instructed to collect on a creditor’s behalf while the original lender keeps ownership. Either way, you can request clear account information and communicate in writing if that feels safer.
If matters progress, you may hear from Lowell Solicitors. This often means your account is moving through a pre-legal or legal process. Legal letters don’t automatically mean bailiffs—court is a process with timelines and options. We can help you respond sensibly with a realistic budget.
Lowell contacting you doesn’t remove your rights. You still control your budget, your communication preferences, and your next step. We’ll show you how.
Check If My Lowell Debt Can Go in One PlanLowell typically writes to introduce themselves and outline the balance, original lender and reference. Don’t panic. Keep the letter, note dates, and begin building a budget around essentials first (housing, energy, council tax).
Expect follow-up messages. If you prefer writing, tell them so. If numbers are unclear, request a statement of account and confirmation of any interest or fees. If the debt type allows, you can request information to verify the account details.
If you don’t engage or no arrangement is found, your account can move toward pre-legal review. This is still a chance to propose one affordable payment across all non-priority debts via a DMP or, where suitable, a formal solution like an IVA or DRO.
Lowell or their solicitors may issue a county court claim if negotiations stall. With a realistic income/expenditure, you can usually arrange an affordable monthly payment—even if a judgment is granted. It’s about structure, not punishment.
Enforcement/bailiffs are not automatic. Read Bailiffs’ Rights to understand the difference between debt collection and enforcement. Where appropriate, ask us about Breathing Space to pause most enforcement while we organise your plan.
I Need Help Responding to LowellLowell must treat you fairly. Excessive calls or misleading threats aren’t OK. If pressure is high, follow the steps in Stop Debt Collectors.
Ask for a statement breaking down the balance and, if the debt was sold, evidence of the assignment. Keeping things in writing helps accuracy and reduces stress.
Don’t agree to a payment you can’t sustain. Build a realistic budget (use our Debt Calculator) and make a single, fair proposal that covers all your non-priority debts, not just Lowell.
Once you’ve calculated what you can genuinely afford, stick to it across every creditor. Consistency improves acceptance and reduces back-and-forth.
Get Help Exercising My RightsIf the original lender defaulted your account, that default usually stays on your credit file for six years from the default date. A sale to Lowell doesn’t reset that clock. The credit impact is real, but it’s not forever—and it doesn’t stop you building a sustainable plan today.
A court judgment (CCJ) can also appear on your file if not managed. Even so, agreeing affordable payments is often possible and can prevent escalation. We’ll help you decide if a DMP, IVA or DRO better matches your situation and goals.
For many people the priority is protecting the household, not the score. We’ll explain the trade-offs clearly so you can choose with confidence.
See How My Credit File Is AffectedThere are generally two paths: (1) affordable monthly payments as part of a broader plan, or (2) a lump-sum settlement if you have access to funds (e.g., help from family). Offers should reflect your evidence-based budget and situation.
If you have multiple debts, it’s usually better to structure the whole picture first so one creditor isn’t treated unfairly. We’ll help you position any settlement discussions within a plan creditors can accept.
Get any settlement agreement in writing, ensure how it will be reported, and keep copies. We can help you draft and check the wording.
Ask About Affordable Offers or SettlementsLong-term success starts by stabilising priority costs. Only then does it make sense to structure offers to Lowell and your other non-priority creditors.
Once essentials are safe, we map a sustainable payment across non-priority debts—cards, catalogues, overdrafts, loans—including the Lowell account.
Protect My Essentials FirstInformal and flexible. Many creditors freeze or reduce interest/charges (not guaranteed). Best if you have steady income and want adaptability without entering formal insolvency.
Formal, legally binding. One affordable monthly payment for a fixed term; remaining eligible unsecured debt may be written off on completion. Often stronger protection from most creditor action.
For low income/low assets. Debts are usually frozen for 12 months and written off if your situation doesn’t improve. Strict eligibility applies.
Unsure which fits? Use Compare Solutions then ask us for a tailored recommendation based on your numbers and goals.
Get My Personalised RecommendationLowell is often just one part of the picture. Bringing everything into a single plan creates clarity and momentum.
Fewer moving parts, fewer surprises, and a route that’s easier to keep.
Roll My Debts into One PaymentIf contact feels intense, we can help you use Breathing Space where appropriate—a legal pause on most enforcement while your plan is prepared. You’ll also have a reference number to cite to creditors while we organise everything, so you can stop juggling every call and letter yourself.
We root your plan in real life—rent/mortgage, energy, food, travel, childcare, medical. Then we set a fair contribution to debts. Try the Debt Calculator to sketch your numbers before we speak.
A single affordable payment (where suitable), calmer contact, and fewer surprises month to month.
Build My Budget with a SpecialistYes—Lowell is a well-known UK debt purchaser/collector. Being contacted by them doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong; it means an account you held is being managed by them.
Because the original lender may have sold (assigned) the account. Once sold, Lowell becomes the owner and contacts you for repayment. Ask for written evidence if you haven’t seen it.
Contact usually reduces once a plan is in place. We can also help you use Breathing Space appropriately while your plan is being set up.
They can start a claim if no agreement is reached. Even then, affordable payments can often be agreed. Read Bailiffs’ Rights to understand the difference between court and enforcement.
No. Defaults and CCJs carry time-limited effects. Many people prioritise stabilising the household first; we’ll explain short- and long-term implications clearly.
Potentially. If you have a lump sum, we can help position a realistic offer—ideally within a fair plan for all your creditors.
No. You should only pay what’s affordable after essentials. Use the Debt Calculator and get support from us to propose a fair figure.
With a DMP, payments can usually be adjusted. IVAs have formal variation processes. We’ll help you choose a route with the right flexibility.
Yes. See Business Debt. We’ll account for variable income, seasonality and expenses.
Ask us directly and we’ll give you a personalised answer for your Lowell situation.
Ask a Debt SpecialistThe aim: protected essentials, calmer contact, and a plan you can sleep on—even with Lowell in the mix.
Start My Free Lowell Debt CheckIf “what is Lowell” brought you here, you’re not alone. We can help you turn confusing letters into a calm, structured plan tailored to your real life.
Speak to a Specialist