Is a Debt Management Plan Legally Binding?

No, Debt Management Plans (DMPs) are informal agreements managed by companies or charities authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

What is a Debt Management Plan?

A DMP is a debt solution that helps people to take back control of their finances. In a DMP, you’ll make one affordable monthly payment that is split fairly between the companies you owe money to.

Learn more about how a Debt Management Plan works.

See if a DMP is right for me

How much does a DMP cost?

With PayPlan, a DMP is completely free. You won’t pay any set-up fees or charges. This means that everything you pay into your plan will be sent to the companies you owe money to so that you can become debt-free faster.

Some debt management companies charge fees for setting up and managing DMPs. Please be aware that if you are considering a plan with a fee-charging company, it will take you longer to complete your plan.

How will a solution that isn’t legally binding affect me?

Debt solutions that aren’t legally binding are sometimes called “informal” debt solutions.

Solutions that aren’t legally binding, like DMPs, are sometimes considered more flexible. They’re an agreement between you and the companies you owe money to, so you can cancel your plan at any time without facing any legal consequences.

However, this also means that the companies you owe money to aren’t legally bound by the agreement’s terms.

In a DMP, we’ll ask them to freeze interest and charges, reduce the amount of contact they send you and not take any legal action. Normally, they agree, and you’ll start to notice this a few months into your plan – but they don’t have to do this.

What are legally binding solutions, and how do they work?

Legally binding solutions are considered “formal” debt solutions, these are usually forms of insolvency, such as Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), Debt Relief Orders (DROs) or Bankruptcy.

If you enter a legally binding agreement with your creditors, both you and the companies you owe money to are bound to the terms of the agreement.

There are some great benefits to this, such as a guarantee that your interest and charges will be frozen, no legal action, and no longer being chased for payments.

However, you’ll need to stick to the terms, too, so it’s important to understand that there can be serious consequences if you break the terms of the agreement. 

Thinking about a DMP but unsure what’s right for you?

Get free debt advice online or call 0800 316 1833 to speak to one of our experts. We’ll explain the solutions available, check what you may be eligible for and help you choose the option that best fits your situation. 

See if a DMP is right for me

FAQs

Why do I have to change my bank account?
If you have a current account with a company you owe money to, you will be required to open a new bank account. This is not only the case with a DMP but you should change your bank account if you are going to make reduced payments to a company that you also bank with. Banks have the “Right to Offset” so any money in your current account could be used to pay another debt with the bank.
Will I have to live on a tight budget during my Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

To enter into and maintain a successful Debt Management Plan you will need to live within a budget, however this is discussed with you openly. PayPlan are required to submit your income and expenditure details to your creditors.

Remember that when we’re negotiating your DMP, it is in your interest if we can show your creditors you are prepared to stick to a realistic budget to help repay your debts.

Will I have to tell my partner about the Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

We offer an absolutely confidential service from start to finish, so PayPlan will never force you to tell your partner about your debt situation, although support is available if you wish to tell them.

A DMP doesn’t usually affect your partner’s credit rating, but if you have a financial association, such as shared debts or guarantor debts, then it could do.

Whenever we contact a client we take great care to avoid divulging the nature of our call to anyone but the client.

Which debts are included in a Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

DMP will only help you make reduced payments to your unsecured creditors, therefore the debts that can be included are:

  • Personal loans (loans taken to purchase cars are fine but Hire Purchase (HP) agreements cannot be included as they are secured against the item being purchased)
  • Credit cards
  • Store cards
  • Catalogues
  • Overdrafts

Secured debts can’t be included in DMPs because any payments on secured debts that aren’t met in full, can lead to the goods being repossessed. This website provides details on house repossession and car repossession, which are all consequences of not maintaining mortgage or hire purchase payments.

Is my home at risk if I enter into a Debt Management Plan (DMP)?
A Debt Management Plan is an informal arrangement which is not legally binding and although having a DMP could reduce the chance that the property would be at risk, there is a chance a creditor could take legal action such as securing a charging order on the property. This would secure the debt and a creditor could force the sale of the property at any point during a debt management.

Read more FAQs →

FAQs

Why do I have to change my bank account?
If you have a current account with a company you owe money to, you will be required to open a new bank account. This is not only the case with a DMP but you should change your bank account if you are going to make reduced payments to a company that you also bank with. Banks have the “Right to Offset” so any money in your current account could be used to pay another debt with the bank.
Will I have to live on a tight budget during my Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

To enter into and maintain a successful Debt Management Plan you will need to live within a budget, however this is discussed with you openly. PayPlan are required to submit your income and expenditure details to your creditors.

Remember that when we’re negotiating your DMP, it is in your interest if we can show your creditors you are prepared to stick to a realistic budget to help repay your debts.

Will I have to tell my partner about the Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

We offer an absolutely confidential service from start to finish, so PayPlan will never force you to tell your partner about your debt situation, although support is available if you wish to tell them.

A DMP doesn’t usually affect your partner’s credit rating, but if you have a financial association, such as shared debts or guarantor debts, then it could do.

Whenever we contact a client we take great care to avoid divulging the nature of our call to anyone but the client.

Which debts are included in a Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

DMP will only help you make reduced payments to your unsecured creditors, therefore the debts that can be included are:

  • Personal loans (loans taken to purchase cars are fine but Hire Purchase (HP) agreements cannot be included as they are secured against the item being purchased)
  • Credit cards
  • Store cards
  • Catalogues
  • Overdrafts

Secured debts can’t be included in DMPs because any payments on secured debts that aren’t met in full, can lead to the goods being repossessed. This website provides details on house repossession and car repossession, which are all consequences of not maintaining mortgage or hire purchase payments.

Is my home at risk if I enter into a Debt Management Plan (DMP)?
A Debt Management Plan is an informal arrangement which is not legally binding and although having a DMP could reduce the chance that the property would be at risk, there is a chance a creditor could take legal action such as securing a charging order on the property. This would secure the debt and a creditor could force the sale of the property at any point during a debt management.

Read more FAQs →

Let’s make your debt more affordable

You’re just two steps away from taking back control of your finances and freeing up more money for you and your family.

Getting advice has no impact on your credit score.

Excellent, professional, friendly and empathetic service. PayPlan have given us our lives back!
Sandra Daly

Sandra Daly

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Excellent, professional, friendly and empathetic service. PayPlan have given us our lives back!
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