The short version
General information, not advice
- Priority debts carry serious legal consequences
- Rent, mortgage, council tax and energy are usually priority
- Credit cards and loans are usually non-priority
- Protect housing and utilities first
- Free debt advice can help prioritise correctly
See it step by step
Which debts to deal with first
Step 1 of 8
Not all debts are equal
When money is tight, not all debts carry the same consequences. Some can lead to eviction, loss of utilities or legal enforcement if ignored. Others are serious but less urgent.
Knowing the difference helps you protect your home, essential services and your legal position.
This is general information, not personal financial advice.
Debt types, consequences and helplines from the Switch4Good guide, Priority vs non-priority debts explained, checked 4 October 2026: they are the guide's own statements, not independently checked, and consequences are given only in the guide's words. The fill levels in step 5 are illustrative. General information, not personal financial advice. Not to scale.
When money is tight, not all debts carry the same consequences.
Some debts can lead to eviction, loss of utilities, or legal enforcement if ignored. Others are serious but less urgent.
Understanding the difference between priority and non-priority debts helps you protect your home, essential services, and legal position.
This guide explains how UK debt priority works and where to get support.
This is general information, not personal financial advice.
What Are Priority Debts?
Priority debts are those where non-payment can quickly lead to severe consequences.
Common priority debts include:
- Rent or mortgage arrears
- Council tax
- Gas and electricity
- Water (in some circumstances)
- Magistrates' court fines
- Child maintenance
- Income tax or VAT for self-employed individuals
- TV licence
Consequences may include:
- Eviction
- Bailiff action
- Court enforcement
- Utility disconnection (energy suppliers have specific rules)
- Imprisonment in extreme court fine cases
Because of these risks, priority debts usually come first in budgeting.
What Are Non-Priority Debts?
Non-priority debts are still important but usually carry slower enforcement processes.
Examples include:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Store cards
- Buy Now Pay Later
- Overdrafts
- Payday loans
- Catalogue accounts
Missing payments may lead to:
- Default notices
- Collection agencies
- County Court Judgments (CCJs)
- Credit score damage
However, they do not usually immediately threaten housing or essential services.
Why the Distinction Matters
When income cannot cover all debts, trying to pay everything equally can increase risk.
For example: Paying credit cards instead of rent could result in eviction.
Debt advisers often recommend:
- Cover essential living costs
- Protect priority debts
- Offer affordable payments to non-priority creditors
This reduces legal risk and stabilises the situation.
What If You Cannot Pay Priority Debts?
Act immediately.
Contact the creditor and explain your situation.
For housing issues: Shelter https://www.shelter.org.uk Helpline: 0808 800 4444
For council tax: Contact your local council immediately. Many offer payment plans.
For energy debt: Contact your supplier and ask about hardship funds or repayment plans.
Ofgem consumer advice (via Citizens Advice): https://www.ofgem.gov.uk Energy helpline via Citizens Advice: 0808 223 1133
Getting Free Debt Advice
Professional advice can help prioritise safely.
StepChange Debt Charity https://www.stepchange.org 0800 138 1111
National Debtline https://www.nationaldebtline.org 0808 808 4000
Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0800 144 8848
They can help create a realistic income and expenditure plan and negotiate with creditors.
Enforcement Risks Explained
Some enforcement routes include:
- County Court Judgment (CCJ)
- Attachment of earnings
- Charging orders
- Bailiffs
For priority debts, enforcement may happen more quickly.
If bailiffs are involved, seek advice immediately before allowing entry.
Emotional and Mental Impact
Debt stress can be overwhelming.
If you are struggling emotionally: Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org Phone: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org
Financial difficulty is common. Support exists.
Key takeaways
- Protect housing and essential services first
- Not all debts carry equal consequences
- Early communication reduces enforcement risk
- Free debt advice is widely available
- Prioritisation reduces long-term harm
Common questions
Should I stop paying credit cards if I cannot pay everything?
Protect priority debts first. Seek advice before making decisions.
Can I go to prison for debt?
Generally no for consumer credit, but certain court fines and council tax cases can involve imprisonment in extreme circumstances.
Will prioritising debts damage my credit score?
Possibly, but protecting housing and essentials is usually more important.
Can creditors refuse payment plans?
They can, but regulated lenders must treat customers fairly under FCA rules.
Is water a priority debt?
Water cannot usually disconnect domestic supply, but arrears can lead to court action.
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