DROs and bankruptcy · 4 min read
What debts can be included in a DRO?
Which debts a Debt Relief Order can and can't include, from council tax arrears and credit cards to court fines and student loans, plus what happens with joint debts, rent arrears and benefit overpayments.
- Fact-checked
- Against official sources
- Last updated
- Next review due
- April 2027
- Applies to
- England and Wales
- Sources
- 3 listed on this page
Independent guidance, not a government service. This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not financial or legal advice. Debt solutions have fees, risks and consequences. For free, impartial advice, contact MoneyHelper or a debt charity.
The short answer
A DRO can include most unsecured debts, such as council tax arrears, credit and store cards, loans, overdrafts, catalogues, energy and water arrears, rent arrears, most tax debts and county court judgments. It can’t include magistrates’ court fines, child maintenance, student loans, debts from fraud or secured debts like your mortgage. Your total qualifying debts must be £50,000 or less.
Debts that can usually be included
| Debt | Notes |
|---|---|
| Council tax arrears | Your current year’s bill isn’t included – keep paying it |
| Credit cards, store cards, overdrafts | Including debts sold to debt purchasers |
| Personal and payday loans | Including guarantor loans (but the guarantor can still be chased) |
| Catalogues and buy now pay later | |
| Energy and water arrears | Your supplier may still require a prepayment meter for future use |
| Rent arrears | Your landlord may still be able to seek possession of your home |
| Benefit and tax credit overpayments | Unless they arose from fraud |
| HMRC tax debts | Most are included |
| County court judgments | The underlying debt is included |
| Council parking penalties | Civil penalties can usually be included; the adviser will confirm |
| Money owed to friends or family | Must be included like any other creditor |
Debts that can’t be included
| Debt | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Magistrates’ court fines | You’ll still need to pay these – see can’t pay a court fine? |
| Child maintenance | Continues to be collected – see child maintenance arrears |
| Student loans | Continue as normal |
| Debts from fraud | Not written off |
| Secured debts (mortgage, secured loans) | Not included; arrears are a priority |
| Damages for personal injury | Not included |
Tricky cases
Joint debts
If you have a joint debt (for example, a joint loan or overdraft), it can be included in your DRO, but the other person remains liable for the whole amount, and the creditor can chase them.
Rent arrears
Including rent arrears stops your landlord chasing you for the money, but a landlord may still be able to take possession action based on the arrears. Get housing advice if this applies.
Hire purchase and logbook loans
Goods on hire purchase belong to the lender until paid off. Logbook loans are secured on your vehicle. These are usually treated differently – your adviser will explain.
Debts you’ve forgotten
List every debt you know about. Check your credit file. A debt left out isn’t covered by the DRO.
What happens to bailiffs?
Creditors named in the DRO can’t use bailiffs or other enforcement for those debts without the court’s permission. Debts that can’t be included, such as fines, can still be enforced. Read will a DRO stop bailiffs?
Frequently asked questions
Can council tax arrears go in a DRO?
Yes. Council tax arrears can be included, but your current council tax isn’t, so keep paying it.
Can I leave a debt out of my DRO?
No. You must list all your qualifying debts.
Can a DRO include a CCJ?
Yes. The debt behind the county court judgment can be included.
Sources
How we wrote this article
- Research: written from primary sources such as legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and the Insolvency Service, then fact-checked by a second member of our team. The sources are listed above.
- Checked: last checked on . Next review due April 2027, or sooner if the rules change.
- Scope: applies to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, read our Scotland and Northern Ireland guide. It is general information, not personal advice.
- Independence: we are not a government website or service, and we are not connected to any council, court or enforcement company.
- Money: we may receive a fee if we introduce you to a debt advice firm. This doesn't change what we write. How we're paid.
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