Breathing Space Scheme

The debt respite or breathing space scheme gives a debtor legal protection from creditors for 60 days, with most interest and penalty charges frozen, and enforcement action halted. This presents a small window of opportunity for you to seek debt advice.

Check if you qualify

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This Guide Includes

1. The breathing space scheme

2. What are the advantages

3. What are the eligibility criteria?

4. What type of debts qualify?

5. What happens during the scheme?

6. Access the breathing space scheme


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What is the Breathing Space Scheme?

Under the scheme, people will be given legal protection from their creditors for 60 days, with most interest and penalty charges frozen, and enforcement action halted. They will also receive professional debt advice to design a plan which helps to get their finances back on track.

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Our team of advisers are here to support and advise you every single step of the journey. Our aim is to help you put in place a long-term solution that works for you, not just a temporary fix.

Check if you qualify

What are the advantages of the Breathing Space Scheme

  • 2 month or 60-day of relaxation
  • Breathing space will protect debtor’s against enforcement action from creditors
  • Creditors cannot make any repayment demands during Breathing space
  • During this period the debtors can consult with debt advisors to explore their options
  • For people suffering from mental health and receiving treatment from the NHS, the Breathing space scheme will continue until the end of their treatment.
  • During the Breathing space scheme period any interest or charges will be frozen while they get new debt solution in place.

What are the eligibility criteria for Breathing Space Scheme?

To qualify for a breathing space, debtors will have to meet certain conditions. They must be in problem debt and: live in England or Wales and not have any of the following:

What type of debt qualifies for the Breathing Space Scheme?

Most debts are likely to qualify for a breathing space, including:

  • Mortgage/rent arrears.

However, the following debts and liabilities are excluded:

  • Secured debts (eg mortgage, hire purchase, etc.) – only arrears on these debts that exist at the date of application are eligible for a breathing space
  • Debts accumulated as a result of fraudulent activity
  • Fines imposed by a court due to an offence (not including penalty charge notices eg parking tickets)
  • Child maintenance
  • Student loans
  • Damages for death/personal injury caused to another person
  • Council tax that has not yet fallen due (council tax that is due or overdue does qualify).

What happens during the Breathing Space Scheme

Creditors will receive a notification that a debt owed to them is in a breathing space, and will be required to drop all action relating to that debt for the period the breathing space is in force. This includes stopping any interest, fees, penalties or charges and ceasing any enforcement or recovery action.

Access Debt Respite (Breathing Space Scheme)

If you would like to access the Breathing Space Scheme. Please contact us as soon as possible.  Our expert advisers will give you advice and provide you with all the relevant information needed.

Call now on 0800 121 48 63 or use the contact form on this page.

Note: The breathing space scheme can only be accessed through qualified debt advisers such as ourselves.

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Debts Solutions & Advice

There are a number of debt solutions available. Further information on each can be found in the links below. Please be aware each solution has advantages and disadvantages.