Priority debts and bills. Find out which debts to pay first

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Find out more about how to deal with mortgage arrears, fixed rate ending, how debt can affect your home - and more.

Read our guides

What debts are priority debts?

Common types of priority debts include missed payments to court fines, council tax, water bills, and your rent or mortgage.

From 1 May 2026, the rules on ‘no fault’ evictions have changed. Please visit our Rent Arrears section for further guidance and information.

These are priority debts because they could:

• Make you homeless (if you have mortgage or rent arrears)
• Leave you without services you need to live, such as energy
• Result in court action (for certain debts such as council tax arrears)

Priority bills can be different based on where you are in the UK.

Use the jump links below to read about priority debts and bills in your country:

• In England & Wales
• 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. Find out more about what bailiffs and Sheriff officers can do.

They can also take money from your wages or benefits, or apply to make you bankrupt.

In Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, you can go to prison for non-payment of criminal fines and maintenance.

In England, you can go to prison for non-payent of council tax arrears, criminal fines, and maintenance.

Court orders can be raised for any type of unpaid debt. But some debts do not need a court order, such as debts to HMRC.

What if I am behind with priority payments?

1. Build a budget and figure out what you need to spend each month
2. Contact your creditors - tell them you are struggling to pay, show them your budget and try to agree a payment plan you can afford
3. Keep to the payment plan you have agreed. Most creditors will try to work with you if you tell them you are struggling
4. Get help if you are worried about debt

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 and you can be forced onto a pre-payment meter. Money can also be taken from your benefits.

Hire purchase or logbook loan

If you do not pay, the items can be taken and the people you owe can apply for a CCJ.

Magistrates Court Fines

If you do not pay bailiffs can visit and 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.

Rent

If you do not pay or fall behind, you can be evicted

Phone

If you do not pay, your service can be cut off and the provider can apply for a CCJ.

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

If you do not pay, 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 and 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 also apply for a Money judgment.

Money judgment

If you do not pay:

• 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 and 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 and other credit products.

Get free debt advice. We can look at your budget and find a way to manage different types of debt.