Fresh Start Debt Support
Use legal tools like Breathing Space, request contact in writing only, send hold-action letters, and consider IVAs/DROs that restrict contact by law.
✅ Start Your Free Help CheckTo stop creditor contact fast: ask for contact in writing only, send a hold-action or harassment-warning letter, and consider Breathing Space to legally pause most contact while you get advice. If you start a formal solution like an IVA or DRO, contact and enforcement are usually restricted for included debts.
Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) pauses most enforcement and creditor contact on qualifying debts while you get advice. A standard moratorium lasts up to 60 days; Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts the duration of treatment plus 30 days.
Learn more: Breathing Space guide • Compare solutions: IVA vs DMP vs DRO
Ask About Breathing SpaceIdeal if calls and letters are constant and you need time to build a budget or consider an IVA, DMP or DRO. Joint debts and arrears can be considered; secured ongoing payments (e.g., mortgage/HP) continue, but arrears may be included.
If you’re in qualifying mental health crisis treatment, protections last for the treatment period plus 30 days. Ask your adviser or an AMHP to help start it.
Firms must treat you fairly. Persistent or aggressive calling, contacting you at unreasonable times, or discussing your debt with others can breach rules. You can request “contact in writing only” and log any breaches.
Switch to written contact (see scripts) and keep a record. If behaviour continues, send a harassment warning and consider a formal complaint.
See also: Bailiffs: Your Rights • What is debt collection?
It’s reasonable to expect limited contact at sensible times and only via the channel you prefer (e.g., letters or email). Tell firms you withdraw consent to calls/texts.
Write to the firm first; if unresolved after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter is issued, you may escalate to the appropriate ombudsman or regulator channel.
Use this when: calls/texts are stressful — you want everything in writing.
“Please contact me in writing only. I’m assessing my options and keeping a full record. I withdraw consent to phone calls and texts.”
Use this when: you need time to get advice or apply for Breathing Space.
“I’m seeking debt advice. Please hold action and freeze interest/charges while I complete my budget. I’ll update you with an affordable offer or my debt adviser’s details.”
Use this when: contact is excessive or intimidating.
“Your contact frequency/behaviour is unreasonable. Treat this as a harassment warning. Please confirm your complaints process and restrict contact to writing only.”
Next: Stabilise essentials first — Council Tax • Energy/Water • Rent arrears.
Copy a script above, paste it into an email or letter, and include account/ reference numbers. Always request confirmation in writing.
If a debt looks wrong (amount, identity, or it’s not yours), write to dispute and ask for evidence. While in genuine dispute, ask them to pause collection and contact you in writing only.
Keep copies of all letters and screenshots of texts/call logs. If they can’t evidence liability, press for correction and cease pursuit.
Next step: Stop Debt Collectors • Affordable repayment plans
If a creditor reports inaccurately, raise a dispute with them and the CRA. Keep trails; inaccurate reporting can be challenged.
Once approved, an IVA is legally binding: creditors must follow the arrangement for included debts. Interest/charges are typically frozen and enforcement usually stops.
A DRO gives legal protection for eligible low-income, low-asset cases. Most enforcement and contact for listed debts are restricted during the order.
A DMP is informal, but many creditors reduce contact when they accept affordable payments. It can also bridge to an IVA later.
Compare: IVA vs DMP vs DRO • Learn about providers: IVA Company • What is an IVA?: guide
Find My Best RouteIf enforcement is imminent (e.g., council tax), timing a Breathing Space or urgent advice call matters.
Bailiffs (enforcement agents) are different from debt collectors. Learn your rights, switch to written contact, and seek urgent advice if a visit is threatened. Breathing Space can pause most enforcement while you plan.
Read next: Bailiffs: Your Rights • Council Tax Debt
If goods were taken previously, they may still be sold; storage charges during Breathing Space should not accrue on those goods. Get advice quickly.
We’re not FCA-regulated because we don’t provide regulated advice — we guide and connect you to appropriate, FCA-regulated providers. For regulated advice, speak with an authorised firm directly.
It pauses most enforcement and contact on included debts while you get advice. You still need to maintain priority bills and respond to your adviser.
Yes. Ask for written-only contact, then log any breaches and follow the complaints route if needed.
Dispute it and ask for evidence. Request that collection stops until they’ve proven liability.
Yes—for included debts, these solutions are legally binding and usually restrict contact and enforcement.
Get Personal Help NowThere’s no fixed UK number, but contact must be fair and proportionate. Repeated calls, late-night contact, or contacting your workplace can be unfair.
Yes—ask them to leave and state you’ll only communicate in writing. They must respect your request.
No. It creates a clear paper trail and reduces stress. Just ensure you open and respond to letters or emails promptly.
Tell firms in writing if you’re vulnerable and request reasonable adjustments (e.g., channel limits, slower timelines). Consider Breathing Space or DRO if eligible.
Protections lift, so plan your next step early — e.g., an IVA, DMP, or DRO.
We’ll help you switch to written contact, consider Breathing Space, and map your best next step — DMP, IVA or DRO. Free, confidential, and fast.
Start Your Free CheckYes. You can withdraw consent to calls/texts and request communication in writing only. Keep a log of any breaches and escalate via complaints if needed.
For qualifying debts, it pauses most enforcement and stops contact to demand payment. If a visit is already scheduled, contact your adviser urgently with your Breathing Space details.
Send a prove-it letter asking for evidence of liability and a full statement. Ask them to pause collection while the dispute is investigated.
Breathing Space can pause most enforcement while you get advice. Act fast with council tax because timelines are tight. See Council Tax Debt.
For included debts, yes—creditors must follow the arrangement. You may still receive formal notices, but demands to pay should cease for those debts.
Yes. Provide your adviser’s details and written consent for third-party contact. Ask creditors to direct correspondence to your adviser while you set up a solution.
That may be a serious breach of privacy and fairness. Complain in writing immediately and keep all evidence for escalation.
Breathing Space itself isn’t a new marker on your file, but missed/late payments may still appear. Formal solutions (IVA/DRO) have known credit impacts—see What Is an IVA and DRO pages.
Yes—politely tell them to leave and that you’ll only communicate in writing. They must respect that request. If they refuse, log it and consider escalating.
You can switch to written-only and send hold-action letters today. If appropriate, Breathing Space can be arranged via an adviser; formal solutions follow after assessment.
Ask us directly and we’ll give you tailored wording or next steps.
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