Debt guidance

Debt Dictionary | Financial jargon terms explained

Confused by complicated financial jargon? You're not alone. Find out how many Brits misunderstand common finance terms and get the real definitions from Lowell.

Debt Help & Support

Need help dealing with your debt? Discover ways to get out of debt, where to find online debt help, and how Lowell can help you take control of your finances.

Water Arrears

If you’re struggling to pay your water bills and have built up water arrears (unpaid water payments), there are ways to get help with your water debt.

The Debt Avalanche Method

Struggling to deal with your debts? Discover more about the debt avalanche method including what it is, how it works, by reading Lowell’s guide, here.

Overdrafts and Debt

Not sure if an overdraft counts as credit or how it can impact your credit score? Read our guide to discover the impacts of planned and unarranged overdrafts.

What Is An IVA? | Individual Voluntary Arrangements

Discover more about Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) in our guide including how they work, their impact on credit ratings, and where to seek advice.

What is a Debt Relief Order, or DRO?

A Debt Relief Order is a way to deal with debts if you can't afford to pay them. Find out how Lowell will work with you if you need a Debt Relief Order.

Debt and Getting a Mortgage

Are you in debt and wondering if you can get on the property ladder? Read our guide to discover the mortgage process and how debt affects getting a mortgage.

Energy debt and energy bill arrears

Whether you’re struggling with rising costs, dealing with debt, or are on a low income, discover money saving ideas for families in Lowell’s guide, here.

Money saving tips for families

Whether you’re struggling with rising costs, dealing with debt, or are on a low income, discover money saving ideas for families here.

Mortgage Debt

We know that mortgage debt can be stressful - but at Lowell, we're here to help. Learn more about mortgage arrears, and how you can work towards clearing it.

The debt collection process: What to expect

Find out how the debt collection process works, including when your debt is sold, how debt collectors contact you and who Lowell.

Gambling and Debt

We know that gambling and debt can both be taboo topics, so we’ve created this guide to address the ways in which gambling can impact you financially, and where to seek help with gambling debt if you’re struggling.

What is Statute Barred Debt?

Find out about statute barred debt including what it means, when debt becomes statute barred, and how you can work with Lowell to clear your debt.

How does your credit file affect you?

Learn what’s on your credit file, how to check your credit score, and how a default impacts your credit rating.

How to recognise if a debt's yours

Discover our guide on how to recognise if a debt is yours, and your next steps with Lowell. If you're worried that a debt isn't yours, find out how we can help.

Dealing with Rent Arrears

If you’re struggling with debt, having good financial knowledge can make a big difference and help you to make informed decisions. With this in mind, we created a guide all about dealing with rent arrears.

Dealing with Bailiffs (Enforcement Officers)

Find out what bailiffs (enforcement officers) can and can’t take, how to deal with them, and how Lowell work with bailiffs, and how we can help you to clear your debt.

Pensions and Debt

Read our guide to discover more about the impact pensions and debt can have on one another as well as if your pension payments can be used to clear debts.

What is a CCJ and how does it impact me?

A CCJ, or County Court Judgment, can affect your credit report. Find out more about CCJs, how to manage them, and how Lowell can help with a CCJ in your name.

What is a Debt Management Plan?

Read our guide to debt management plans to learn about DMPs, how they affect your credit, and how Lowell can work with you if you have a debt management plan.

What happens if I ignore a debt company?

A general guide to help you understand the legal actions that Lowell can take, and the potential consequences if you repeatedly ignore Lowell when we get in touch.

Dealing with Credit Card Debt

When they’re used carefully, credit cards can sometimes be helpful. They can help you to improve your credit score, and can give you extra protection on large purchases thanks to the Consumer Credit Act.

What is insolvency?

At Lowell, our main priority is to support our customers on their journey to becoming debt free with us. Read this guide to discover how we can work with you.

Becoming debt free with Lowell

At Lowell, our main priority is to support our customers on their journey to becoming debt free with us. Read this guide to discover how we can work with you.

Dealing with Council Tax debt

Read our guide to discover more about council tax arrears including what it is, where to seek help with council tax debt, and what happens if you don’t pay.

What Is debt consolidation?

Debt consolidation is one option for paying off debt. Read our guide to find out more about what a debt consolidation loan is and how to consolidate debt.

How does debt purchasing work?

Discover our guide on how debt purchasing works, how Lowell will protect your data, and how Lowell will work with you once we're managing your account.

What is catalogue debt?

Do you have outstanding catalogue debt? Read our guide to learn more about what it is, how to pay off catalogue debt, and where to seek catalogue debt help.

The Debt Arrangement Scheme explained

Read our guide to discover essential information about the debt arrangement scheme including what it is, how it works, and the advantages and disadvantages.

How does a discount work with debt?

Discover more about debt discounts, how a Lowell debt discount can affect your debt, and how working with Lowell can help you to manage your debt.

How to save money on household bills

Household bills can quickly add up. Read our guide to discover tips on how you could save money on household bills and help take control of your finances.

What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Read our guide explaining what bankruptcy is, how it works, and how bankruptcy can affect you.

Understanding Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)

A short-term solution providing you with temporary protection from your debts, read our guide to discover more about the breathing space debt respite scheme.

What is an administration order?

Administration orders are a type of debt solution, but what are they and how do they work? Read our guide to learn all the basics about administration orders.

How to get support during the cost of living crisis

Managing your finances can be difficult, especially when prices are rising. Read our guide to discover how to get support during the cost of living crisis.

Understanding the debt snowball method

Have you come across the snowball method for debt but aren’t sure what it means? Read our guide to find out exactly how the debt snowball method works.

How to clear debt fast

Read Lowell’s guide to discover how to clear debt fast, if it’s a good idea, and how Lowell can support you including payment plans and debt solutions.

Types of credit that could affect your credit score

We know that credit products can be confusing. To ensure you don’t accidentally fall into debt, read our guide on types of credit that could affect your credit.

The different types of debt solution

Discover different kinds of debt solutions that you can access if you're having problems with debt, and how Lowell can help you find free independent advice.

Debt and mental health

At Lowell, we understand that debt can affect your mental health. Find out how you can manage debt and mental health with the support of Lowell.

A guide to benefits and debt

Discover Lowell’s guide on benefits and debt including the different kinds of benefits in the UK and whether having outstanding debt can affect each one.

What is Buy Now Pay Later?

Have you seen Buy Now Pay Later options when online shopping? Read our guide on what Buy Now Pay Later means, how it works, whether it affects your credit score and more.

What is problem debt?

Discover more about problem debt, what it means, the signs and indicators, how to understand if you have problem debt, and how Lowell can work with you.

What is debt recovery?

Find out more about debt recovery, including the debt recovery process, what debt recovery agents do, and how Lowell can help you to manage your own debt.

Clearing and paying off debt

Wondering about how to clear your debt? We know dealing with debt can be difficult but paying off debt isn’t impossible. Read our guide to find out more.

How do defaults work?

Discover what impact a default has on your credit file, how long a default lasts, and how working with Lowell can help with a default on your file.

Who should I speak to for debt support?

Discover more about different independent organisations who can help you with debt support, and how Lowell can help you to work with these services.

A guide to redundancy and debt

Read our guide to redundancy and debt to learn about what to do, where you can find redundancy advice, and how Lowell can work with you to clear your debt.