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Payment holiday for debt repayments

What are payment holidays?

A payment holiday is a short-term pause from your monthly payments. The people you owe may agree if you are finding it hard to keep up with payments. You can ask for a payment holiday from credit cards and mortgage payments.

The missed payments during this period are likely to be treated as arrears. Interest and charges may still be added.

You may be able to apply for Breathing Space. This means the people you owe stop calling or writing to you while you deal with your debts.

How do payment holidays work?

You need to ask for a payment holiday, but the people you owe do not have to agree to it.

The gap in payments may be marked on your credit file. This can make it harder to get credit in future.

The people you owe may issue a default notice. This depends on how long the payment holiday is.

Payment holiday letters

Under the rules of the Consumer Credit Act:


  • Lenders must send warning letters to customers who miss two payments
  • They do this even if you agreed a payment holiday with them

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Can I get a credit card payment holiday?

Ask the people you owe for an informal break from payments and give you time to deal with debts. They may decline, as different lenders consider requests differently. Be aware that a payment break may affect your credit score.

In Scotland, the Government offer a ‘moratorium’ period:


  • This is for people who have debt problems
  • It lasts six months
  • The people you owe cannot take action to recover the money owed

If you are considering a moratorium you do not need to get debt advice from an approved money adviser. But, we strongly recommend you do get advice.

Can I get a mortgage payment holiday?

Mortgage payment holidays are for people finding it hard to keep up with payments.

You can apply if you have kept up-to-date with your payments

There may be other ways your lender can help you. Like letting you make lower payments.

Find out more about dealing with mortgage arrears.

Unlock your options as a homeowner


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

Read our guides

Can I get a break from paying my rent?

You can ask for a payment break. But there is no guarantee the local authority or landlord will agree.

Read our guide to dealing with rent arrears.

How do I ask for a payment holiday?

You need to give some supporting information when you ask for a payment break.

This includes:


  • Your bank
  • Your local authority, or
  • Your landlord

They will probably want to know about:


  • Your income
  • Your living expenses
  • Any other debts
  • Any change to your financial situation

Show this by filling in an income and expenditure form based on your budget.

signpost iconFind out how to complete an income and expenditure form.

You will need to tell the people you owe:


  • Why you are asking for a payment break, and
  • When you will be able to make normal payments again

If they agree to a payment break, ask them to send you a letter or email to confirm this.

You need to pay back missed payments after the payment break ends, either by:


  • Making higher future payments, or
  • Paying the agreement back for a longer time

The people you owe may not agree.

Contact us if they do not. We can help find the best solution for you.

people icon Take two minutes to answer a few simple questions, so we can understand the best way to help you.



What happens at the end of a payment break?

Interest may be charged for when you were not paying. This can make your future payments higher.

Prepare in advance for the end of a payment break. Think about what happens to your debts.

Mortgage


  • Your monthly payment rises to include the missed payments and extra interest
  • Your new payment amount depends on how long is left of your mortgage term
  • In most cases, the longer left in the term, the lower the rise in payments

Loan


  • Your monthly payment to the loan rises
  • This is to cover the missed payments and interest charged during the payment break

Credit card


  • Your monthly minimum payments rise
  • This covers the extra interest that was not paid

Answer 5 quick questions to find out what you should do next.

Be honest – this will just be between us, and we will not record any of the answers you give.

Do you use credit, loans or an overdraft until your wages or benefits come in?

Have you been making minimum repayments on debts or even missing repayments on them?

Have you received any charges for late payments, or fees for your overdraft recently?

Are you currently using credit cards to cover your repayments?

Have you been using credit to pay your household bills? Or have you fallen behind on paying them?

Things are looking pretty good

No need to worry, things are looking pretty good

From what you have told us, you do not have a debt problem.

Make sure you keep on top of your money. You can use ourbudgeting guidesto get started. This will help if you are falling behind with payments.

If you′re worried about money, don′t wait to come back to us forfree and impartial debt advice. We are here to help you whenever you need us.

Get debt help now

You should act now to avoid bigger problems later

From what you have told us, you may have a debt problem. No need to worry, there is a lot you can do. And taking action now means you start to sort it out quicker.

You can get debt advice online at any time. We will not share your details with anyone.

Get debt help now

Or, if you are not ready to get help right now, use ourbudgeting guides.

It looks like you need help with your debts

From what you have told us, your debt has become a problem. You may be worried about this, but we can help you.

Get debt advice online at any time. We will not share your details with anyone.

We will help you to create a budget. This will show you how much you can afford to pay towards your debts. We will also help you deal with the people you owe. And we will recommend ways to start to sort out your debt.

We are here for you online 24/7. If you need to stop and come back later, that is fine.

Get debt help now

You need help with your debts

From what you have told us, your debt sounds a big problem. You are probably worried about this. We can help you.

Get debt advice online now. You can switch to the phone if you want to talk with someone. Either way, we will not share your details with anyone.

We will help you to create a budget, which will show you how much you can afford to pay towards your debts. We will also help you deal with the people you owe money to. And we recommend ways to start to sort out your debt.

We are here for you online 24/7. If you need to stop and come back later, that is fine.

Get debt help now

Sarah

"It didn't matter how many times I re-worked my finances - I would just keep overspending. I just kept telling myself that I had it all under control, but my debts were creeping up over time."Sarah′s story

Jamie

"I hid it from my friends because I didn't want to be judged. I didn't want to seem like that person who didn't know how to handle money."Jamie′s story

Carol

"When I found StepChange Debt Charity, they didn't want anything from me except the truth. When I spoke to the first advisor on the phone I was in a bit of a state, but she made me feel a lot better and that I wasn't being judged in any way, which made a huge difference."Carol′s story

John, Greater Manchester

"StepChange don't judge you. They're here to help. I feel a lot less stressed thanks to them."

Beth, Devon

"The service has been amazing, I feel a massive weight off my mind and no longer worry about my finances."

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Struggling to keep up with payments?

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