What is a debt management plan (DMP)? (2024)

If you’re struggling to meet regular repayments, a debt management plan (DMP) can take some of the pressure off. But it can also make it hard to borrow money from lenders – this can affect your lifestyle and limit your options. However, a well-managed DMP can help you get your finances back on track, and improve your credit profile in the long run.

To get a DMP, you’ll usually need to:

• Have disposable income to make reduced monthly payments
• Be able to make large enough payments that you can clear your debts in a reasonable amount of time (your DMP provider will advise you on how long this is)
• Not have enough disposable income to completely repay your debts within six months

What types of debt can be included in a DMP?

Only ‘non-priority’ debts can be included in a debt management plan, such as:

• Bank loans
• Credit cards
• Student loans
• Water bills
• Benefits overpayments

Debts that can’t be included in your DMP are called ‘priority’ debts, because there are more serious consequences for not paying them. These include:

• Mortgages
• Overdue payments for rent, gas, electricity, council tax or child support
• Magistrates' court fines
• Overdue income tax or VAT
• TV licence fees

How long do DMPs last?

The length of DMPs can vary hugely. How long your DMP lasts will depend on how much debt you have, and how much you can afford to pay off each month. But it’s not unusual for DMPs to last between five to 10 years.

If your DMP involves you making repayments less than the amount originally agreed with lenders, then it will affect your credit score. This means you could find it harder to get credit while making reduced payments. We cover this in more detail below.

How will a DMP affect my life?

A debt management program may benefit your personal and financial life by:

• Reducing stress. It can be relieving to have lower, simpler payments, and someone to deal with your creditors for you.
• Protecting you. Creditors who agree to your DMP are less likely to take legal action against you to get their money back, since they know you’re trying to sort out your debt.
• Getting you back on track. A DMP can help you clear your debts and improve your financial situation in the long term.

There are some down-sides to getting a DMP. You may find they’re outweighed by the benefits, but it’s important to be aware of them:

• You may pay more interest. Creditors typically charge daily, monthly or yearly interest on your debts. So, because you’re repaying them over a longer period, you may pay more interest overall. However, lenders will sometimes agree to freeze interest rates and charges during your DMP.
• A DMP can reduce your credit rating. However, in the long run, it can be better for your score than getting into more serious difficulty with lenders.
• You can get a default. Even if a creditor has agreed to your DMP, they may record a default on your credit report since you’re making reduced payments.
• Some DMP providers charge a fee. But there are several free providers you can use, such as StepChange and PayPlan.
• Some creditors may still contact you If you’re struggling to pay off priority debts, you’ll have to deal with these lenders directly.

Learn more about financial association or you can find out if you share debts with your partner by getting your credit report. Simply check the ‘financial associates’ section for their name.

Can creditors refuse a DMP?

Yes – creditors are under no obligation to accept your DMP. They might do this if they don’t want to accept reduced payments or feel you could afford to pay more. If they refuse to negotiate with your DMP provider, it can be worth negotiating with them yourself. Outline what you can afford to pay each month and why.

Creditors are likely to accept a DMP if they see it as the easiest way to recover their money.

Remember that creditors can’t refuse to take reduced payments. You can continue to make payments, which can help keep lenders onside and give you some breathing space while you negotiate a solution. But if a creditor refuses to change their mind, you may have to deal with that creditor separately.

What happens if I miss a payment on my DMP?

If you miss a payment, contact your DMP provider straight away. Missing payments could put your DMP at risk, but your DMP provider is there to help. They can inform your creditors and are often able to negotiate a solution with them. If you regularly miss payments, though, then there’s a high chance your DMP will be cancelled.

How will a DMP affect my credit score?

Your credit score reflects your chances of getting approved for credit. The higher it is, the better your chances. Lenders calculate your score when you apply for credit, using your credit report, application details and any other information they hold on you (e.g. if you’re an existing customer).

Getting a DMP will usually lower your credit score. This is because you’ll be paying less than the originally agreed amount, which will be shown on your credit report. Reduced payments show you’re having difficulty repaying what you owe, so lenders may see you as high-risk. So, if you apply to borrow money while you’re on a DMP, lenders may reject your application or charge you higher interest rates.

If you’ve been hit with a big unexpected bill, talk to your DMP provider. They may be able to adjust your plan or temporarily reduce your payments, so you don’t need to take on any more debt.

Can I buy a house while on a DMP?

You may struggle to get a mortgage while on a DMP. As mentioned above, a DMP will usually lower your credit score. Having a low credit rating doesn’t make it impossible to get a mortgage, but it does make it harder. It also makes getting a mortgage more expensive, as lenders are more likely to charge a higher interest rate.

Another challenge is saving enough money for a deposit while paying off your debts in a DMP. If you do have enough money for a deposit, it may be worth seeking professional advice as to whether you should use that money to reduce your debts or put it towards a property.

If you already own property, you might consider re-mortgaging to help pay off your debt. This can be difficult with a low credit score, but explaining your situation to lenders may help.

How can I improve my credit score after a DMP?

When your DMP ends, you can close the accounts you’ve paid off, or start making full payments again. Your score should recover over time if you continue to meet all repayments. Records of your debts will take six years to drop off your report, but lenders may pay less attention to them as they age.

In the meantime, there are several things you can do to improve your Experian Credit Score. It’s also helpful to check your Experian Credit Report regularly for accuracy, and to see what’s impacting your score.

Is a DMP better than an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)?

An individual voluntary agreement (IVA) can help you pay off your debts by combining them into one monthly payment, usually over a period of five or six years. You can also have the option of making a one-off payment, known as a lump sum IVA.

But IVAs are different from DMPs as they are a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors.

You can only get an IVA through an Insolvency Practitioner (usually a qualified lawyer or accountant). They’ll examine your situation and make arrangements with your creditors, and then oversee the IVA once it’s set up. But this comes at a cost – an Insolvency Practitioner’s fees can be £5,000 or more. Partly because of these fees, IVAs are only normally used in cases where the debt is at least £10,000.

For more details, see our guide to IVAs. If you’re unsure whether an IVA is right for you, you can get free advice and support from professional debt charities.