iThe advice on this page applies to anyone with personal debts taken out in the UK.
'Priority' debts and bills are those that can:
Always pay these first.
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Common priority debts include:
- Court fines
- Council Tax
- Your rent or mortgage
Common priority bills include:
Things that could:
- Make you homeless
- Mortgage
- Rent
- Leave you without services you need to live
- Energy
- Use extra powers to get the debt
- Council tax
Priority bills can be different based on where you are in the UK.
See the lists below for priority bills in:
- In Scotland
- In Northern Ireland
We can help you with free debt advice.
What extra powers can a creditor use?
A creditor might ask a court to:
- Send debt collectors to visit you
- Take money from your wages or benefits
- Make you bankrupt
Find out more about what bailiffs and Sheriff officers can do.
You can go to prison for the following debts:
- In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland:
- Criminal fines
- Maintenance
- In England:
- Council Tax arrears
- Criminal fines
- Maintenance
Court orders can be raised for any type of unpaid debt.
Some debts do not need a court order. Such as debts to HMRC.
Worried about money?
We're here to help. Use our free online debt advice tool.
Get help now
What if I am behind with priority payments?
Use our checklist:
- Build a budget
- Figure out what you need to spend each month
- Contact your creditor
- Tell them you are struggling to pay
- Show them your budget
- Try to agree a payment plan you can afford
- Get help if you are worried about debt
- Keep to the payment plan you have agreed
Most creditors will try to work with you.
Priority bills in England or Wales
Child Maintenance
If you do not pay:
- Money can be taken from your bank account and/or benefits
- Bailiffs can visit
- There could be a court order to sell your belongings
- A court order could force you to sell your property
- Your driving licence or passport can be taken
- There is risk of going to prison
Council Tax
If you do not pay:
- Money can be taken from your bank account and/or benefits
- Bailiffs can visit
- The debt can be secured against your home
- The local council can apply to make you bankrupt
- You are at risk of going to prison (England). This does not apply to Wales
County Court judgment
If you do not pay:
- Bailiffs can visit
- Creditors can apply for a charging order. This secures the debt against your home
- Money can be taken from your wages
- Money can be taken from your bank account
Gas or electricity
If you do not pay:
- Your supply can be cut off
- You can be forced onto a pre-payment meter
- Money can be taken from your benefits
Hire purchase or logbook loan
If you do not pay:
- Items can be taken
- The people you owe can apply for a CCJ
Magistrates Court Fines
If you do not pay:
- Bailiffs can visit
- Money can be taken from your bank account and/or benefits
- There is risk of going to prison
Mortgage
If you do not pay:
- You could lose the home or property with a mortgage
Phone
If you do not pay:
- Your service can be cut off
- The provider can apply for a CCJ
Rent
If you do not pay:
- You can be evicted
Secured loan
If you do not pay:
- You could lose your home
Tax, VAT or National Insurance
If you do not pay:
- Money can be taken from your wages
- Bailiffs can visit
- HMRC can apply to make you bankrupt
- HMRC can apply for a CCJ
TV licence
- You can be fined
Priority bills in Scotland
Child Maintenance arrears
If you do not pay:
- Goods can be taken from your home
- Money can be taken from your bank account, wages and/or benefits
- You can be stopped from selling or transferring goods
- You can be forced to sell your property
- Your driving license or passport can be taken
- There is risk of jail
Council Tax
If you do not pay:
- Money can be taken from your bank account, wages and/or benefits
- Goods can be taken from your home
- The local council can apply to make you bankrupt
- You have to ask the council before you sell your property
Criminal fine
If you do not pay:
- Your car may be clamped or taken away
- Money can be taken from your bank account, wages and/or benefits
- There is risk of going to prison
Decree
If you do not pay:
- Goods can be taken from your home
- You have to ask the council before you sell your property
- Money can be taken from your wages and/or benefits
Gas or electricity
If you do not pay:
- Your supply can be cut off
- Your supplier can apply for a Decree
- Money can be taken from your benefits
Mortgage or secured loan
If you do not pay:
- You may lose your home
Phone
If you do not pay:
- Your service can be cut off
- The creditor can apply for a Decree
Rent
If you do not pay:
- You can be evicted
Tax, VAT or National Insurance
If you do not pay:
- Goods can be taken from your home
- Money can be taken from your bank account
- Your PAYE tax code can be set higher
- HMRC can apply for your bankruptcy
TV licence
If you do not pay:
- You can be fined
Priority bills in Northern Ireland
Child Maintenance arrears
If you do not pay:
- Goods can be taken from your home
- Money can be taken from your bank account, wages and/or benefits
- You bank account can be frozen
- The debt can be secured against your home
- You can be forced to sell your property
- Your driving license or passport can be taken
- There is risk of jail
Criminal fine
If you do not pay:
- Your car can be clamped or taken away
- Money can be taken from your bank account or benefits
- There is risk of jail
Gas or electricity
If you do not pay:
- Your supply can be cut off
- The creditor can apply for a Money judgment
- Money can be taken from your benefits
Hire purchase or logbook loan
If you do not pay:
- The items you bought can be repossessed
- The creditor can apply for a Money judgment
Money judgment
- Goods can be taken from your home
- The debt can be secured against your home
- Money can be taken from your wage and/or bank account
Mortgage or secured loan
If you do not pay:
- You may lose your home
Phone
If you do not pay:
- Your service can be cut off
- The provider can apply for a Money judgment
Rates
If you do not pay:
- Goods can be taken from your home
- Money taken from your wages and/or bank account
- The debt can be secured against your home
- The local council can apply to make you bankrupt
Rent
If you do not pay:
- You could be evicted
Tax, VAT or National Insurance
If you do not pay:
- Goods can be taken from your home
- Money can be taken from your bank account
- Your PAYE tax code can be set higher
- HMRC can apply for your bankruptcy
TV licence
If you do not pay:
- You can be fined
Water
If you do not pay:
- Money can be taken from your benefits
What if I cannot pay because of other debts?
'Unsecured debts' are not linked to an asset like your home.
They are lower priority and include:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Other credit products
Get free debt advice. We can:
- Look at your budget
- Find a way to manage different types of debt
Worried about money?
We're here to help. Use our free online debt advice tool.
Get help now
Related articles
- Child maintenance arrears
- Council tax debt
- County Court judgments (CCJs)
- Gas and electricity arrears
- Hire purchase debt
- Logbook loan debt
- Magistrates Court fines
- Mortgage arrears
- Phone debt
- Rent arrears
- Secured loans
- Tax, VAT and National Insurance
- TV licence fines