What happens during a DRO?

How long does a DRO last?

A debt relief order will usually last for 12 months and this is called the ‘moratorium’. Your creditors, the people you owe money to, are prevented from taking any action to recover any of the debts included in your DRO during this time.

Your creditors can still contact you to tell you how much you owe, but they can't demand payments from you or start any court action. If they do you should tell them you’re on a DRO. If any of your creditors persistently call or threaten you with further action, you can contact the DRO unit at the Insolvency Service.

When the 12 month period ends, as long as your financial situation has not improved, the debts included in the DRO are written off.  

However, you’ll need to continue to pay your current household bills and living costs such as rent, council tax, electricity, gas and water rates.

What are the restrictions on a debt relief order?

While you’re on a DRO there are certain things you can’t do. These are called restrictions. 

You must not:

• Take out credit over £500 without telling the lender you’re on a DRO
• Carry on a business under a different name without revealing that your previous business was subject to a DRO
• Set up a limited company or act as a company director without permission from a court. 

What is a debt relief restriction undertaking or order?

If the Insolvency Service believes you’ve been intentionally dishonest, they can apply for a debt relief restriction undertaking or order (DRRU or DRRO). This can extend these restrictions for up to 15 years.

What happens if my circumstances change during a DRO?

If your circumstances improve, you must notify the official receiver who will decide whether your DRO can continue, for example;

• if your income improves or,
• if you receive a lump sum of money or any assets

Where will my DRO be listed?

If you live in England and Wales, your DRO and details such as your name and address will be listed in the Individual Insolvency Register (IIR). Your details will be listed for the duration of the DRO (12 months) and removed three months after your DRO ends.

If you live in Northern Ireland, your details will be registered on the public DRO Register. The information will be removed from the register three months after the DRO has ended, whether it's been successful or revoked. 

An application can be made to keep your address details off the Individual Insolvency Register or the DRO Register in exceptional circumstances, for example where there’s a risk of domestic violence or other personal harm.

Can a DRO affect my job?

DROs may affect some jobs if the employment contract specifies that you can't be insolvent. This is most likely to be an issue in the finance and legal sectors, but other jobs may also be affected. In our experience this is not common.

If you’re unsure about whether you’ll be able to keep your job if you have a DRO, check your employment contract or speak to your professional membership body or trade union, or speak to your HR department confidentially.

Can a debt relief order be cancelled?

The official receiver can terminate the DRO if they discover you intentionally misled them in your original application.

It’s your responsibility to inform the official receiver of changes in your circumstances. It’s an offence to give away or hide assets from the official receiver, and you must co-operate with the Insolvency Service if they ask you to provide information.

Expert DRO advice

If you're considering a DRO we can help. Our online debt advice tool will provide you with the most appropriate debt advice to your problem. Alternatively you can contact our free Helpline (free from all landlines and mobiles).