Can a DRO Stop Bailiffs? Debt Relief Order Rules Explained

Yes, after a Debt Relief Order is approved, creditors listed for qualifying debts must stop bailiff enforcement. This does not apply before approval, to excluded or omitted debts, or to goods already secured by a controlled goods agreement made before the DRO.

No. Preparing or submitting an application does not create an automatic moratorium. Legal protection starts when the Insolvency Service approves the DRO.

Tell the bailiff company and creditor that an approved intermediary is preparing or has submitted a DRO application, request a temporary hold and ask the adviser whether Breathing Space is appropriate.

A DRO normally creates a 12-month moratorium for the qualifying debts listed in it. The period can be extended in limited circumstances or end early if the order is revoked.

Qualifying debts listed in the DRO are normally discharged at the end of the period. Excluded debts, secured liabilities and fraudulent debts that are not dischargeable remain payable.

Approved DRO protection normally stops bailiff action for Council Tax arrears due and unpaid up to the approval date, provided the debt is correctly listed and no earlier controlled goods agreement secures goods.

Local-authority parking and traffic penalty charges are generally qualifying debts rather than criminal court fines. Once an approved DRO lists them, enforcement should stop unless goods were already secured under a controlled goods agreement.

No. Criminal and civil court fines are excluded debts and remain payable. Enforcement can continue, although separate collection fees may require specialist assessment.

A civil High Court judgment is generally a qualifying debt, so an approved DRO can stop enforcement if the debt is listed and no controlled goods agreement was entered before approval.

It normally does after approval where the underlying civil judgment is a listed qualifying debt and the warrant has not already been executed through a controlled goods agreement.

The agreement is not cancelled by the DRO. The debt is secured to the value of the controlled goods and payments normally need to continue to prevent removal.

Official Insolvency Service guidance says that where the listed qualifying debt was already in the DRO, the DRO supersedes a controlled goods agreement signed after approval.

Not for a listed qualifying debt where goods had not already been taken into control. They may still remove goods under a valid pre-DRO controlled goods agreement if payments are not maintained.

It can stop new enforcement against a vehicle for a listed qualifying debt after approval. It does not undo an earlier controlled goods agreement, secured logbook loan or other valid security.

A clamp can indicate that the vehicle has already been taken into control. Contact the approved intermediary urgently to establish whether a controlled goods agreement or secured enforcement interest exists.

Enforcement fees connected with a qualifying debt should be included in the application and correct balance. Fees connected with excluded debts can involve different treatment, so the approved intermediary should check them separately.

Deductions under an attachment of earnings order for a listed qualifying debt must stop after the DRO is approved. Deductions for excluded debts can continue.

Recovery deductions for qualifying benefit overpayments should stop during the DRO. Deductions for excluded Social Fund loans can continue.

Qualifying debts include credit cards, overdrafts, loans, rent arrears, utility arrears, Council Tax, income tax, buy-now-pay-later debts, benefit overpayments, parking charges, civil judgments and debts to friends or family.

Excluded debts include student loans, child maintenance and family-proceedings liabilities, Social Fund budgeting or crisis loans, secured debts, personal-injury damages ordered by a court, criminal or civil court fines and unpaid TV licence liabilities.

They are listed as qualifying debts and recovery stops during the DRO, but a debt arising from fraud or fraudulent breach of trust is not discharged at the end of the period.

It cannot normally be added after approval. The creditor can continue recovery and bailiff action for an omitted debt, so speak to the approved intermediary immediately.

No. The protection applies only to the person named in the DRO. Creditors can continue recovery from another joint debtor or guarantor.

Rent arrears can be included, but a landlord can start or continue possession proceedings. Ongoing rent must still be paid.

A listed creditor must stop requesting payment and recovery action. They can send statements and general correspondence. Send a copy of the DRO and complain if payment demands continue.

Use the Insolvency Service approval notice and the Individual Insolvency Register. Your entry normally remains on the register throughout the DRO and for three months afterwards.

Only an approved debt adviser can submit the application. You cannot apply directly to the Insolvency Service yourself.

There is currently no DRO application fee, and an approved intermediary checks eligibility and submits the application.

You generally need debts below £50,000, assets below £2,000, a vehicle worth below £4,000 and usually less than £75 monthly spare income after reasonable household expenses.

A homeowner will not normally qualify because the property is an asset. A debt adviser should assess the legal and beneficial ownership position.

Yes. It normally remains on your credit reference file for six years from approval and appears on the Individual Insolvency Register during the DRO and for three months after it ends.

Yes. The Insolvency Service can revoke it if you were not eligible, stop meeting the criteria, fail to report changes or breach requirements. Creditors can then resume recovery.

You must report significant increases in income and money, property or valuable possessions received during the DRO period.

Potentially. An authorised debt adviser can assess whether a standard Breathing Space may pause most enforcement for up to 60 days while advice and a DRO application are progressed.

No. A DRO is designed for people with low assets, low spare income and qualifying debts below the current limit. An IVA is a creditor-approved repayment arrangement and has different suitability, cost and asset considerations.

No. My Debt Plan Ltd provides IVAs only. If an IVA is unsuitable, with the customer’s agreement they may be referred free of charge to a trusted affiliate for advice about another option.

No. This guide concerns Debt Relief Orders in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different insolvency procedures and rules.