Debt Relief Orders and Bailiffs

From the time of your application to the Debt Relief Order (DRO) intermediary, it may take up to six weeks for it to be forwarded to the Official Receiver. During this period, bailiffs can still enforce the debt, necessitating measures to safeguard yourself and your home from their actions. Once the Order is issued, bailiffs are prohibited from pursuing you for debt, except in cases involving child support or student loans.

The bottom Line:

A Debt Relief Order only stops bailiff enforcement once the order has been issued by the official receiver, a process that typically requires approximately six weeks.

A Debt Relief Order (DRO) incurs a fee of £90 and eligibility requires that you are not a homeowner, owe less than £20,000, have less than £50 surplus income, and possess assets valued at less than £1,000.

You can locate a DRO intermediary by conducting an internet search, and financial assistance for the £90 fee can be sought from charitable organizations. It's advisable to explore various options.

If you do not meet the criteria for a Debt Relief Order, bankruptcy could be an alternative to consider.

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is specifically designed to negotiate consumer debts. However, it is not effective for resolving court fines, student loans, or child support arrears.

IVAs can assist in addressing council tax arrears, traffic debts, and high court writs, but they cannot circumvent the enforcement authority of a writ or a warrant of control. Additionally, they can be prohibitively expensive.