Money Advice Services

• Help you maximise your income and cut down on expenses.
• Prepare a detailed financial statement with you.
• Provide general advice on debt solutions available to you.
• Communicate and negotiate with your creditors on your behalf.
• Set up affordable repayment arrangements.
• Support you with bankruptcy (sequestration) applications.

• Moratorium – If you have no disposable income, some creditors may agree to temporarily pause action on your account while your financial situation stabilizes.
• Token Payment Plan – If you have a small amount of disposable income, some creditors may accept token payments as low as £1.00 per month.
• Voluntary Repayment Programme – If you can afford to pay something regularly, we can work with your creditors to arrange a manageable repayment plan.
• Debt Write-Off – In certain circumstances, such as serious health issues, some debts may be written off entirely.
• Full and Final Settlement – Creditors may agree to accept a lump sum that is less than the total owed as full settlement of the debt.
• Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) – A formal Scottish government-backed programme that allows you to repay your debts over time while protecting you from legal action.
• Bankruptcy (Sequestration) – A legal process in Scotland for individuals who are unable to repay their debts.
• Protected Trust Deed – A legally binding agreement in Scotland to repay part of your debts over a set period, usually four years.
• Mortgage to Rent / Mortgage to Shared Equity – Options that may allow you to stay in your home by changing the way it is owned or rented.
• Credit Report Assistance – We can help you obtain your most recent credit report from agencies like Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.

Struggling with debt can feel overwhelming, isolating, and relentless. The constant pressure of unpaid bills, creditor calls, and fear of losing your home or essentials can take a serious toll on your mental health. But there is hope and help available locally.

Accessing professional debt advice is a powerful step toward regaining control. It’s not just about managing money, it’s about improving your overall wellbeing. Research shows that people in problem debt are more than twice as likely to experience poor mental health. However, those who receive debt advice often report significant improvements in their emotional state.

Debt advisers can help you understand your financial situation, create a manageable budget, and negotiate with creditors. This support reduces stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness. Research has shown that the vast majority of people who received help from debt advice services said it had a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.

Getting advice early can also prevent crises like eviction or gas/electricity disconnection, helping you maintain stability and peace of mind. And when you feel more in control of your finances, your confidence and self-esteem grow too.

You don’t have to face debt alone. Reaching out for advice is a sign of strength and it could be the first step toward a healthier, more secure future.

If you're unable to make payments to your unsecured creditors, it's important to contact them as soon as possible to explore your options.

If they’re unable to offer a solution, we can step in on your behalf. We’ll work with them to propose a reduced payment plan, provide a financial statement, and discuss other options that may suit your circumstances. We’ll also request that all interest and charges be frozen to help you repay your debts in full.

If you’re unable to keep up with agreed payments, your creditor may transfer your account to their recoveries team. This could result in a default being added to your credit file, which stays for six years and may make it harder to access affordable credit in the future. Your account may also be passed or sold to a debt collection agency.

If you need help managing these types of debts, please get in touch using the contact details on this page.

Staying in contact with your creditors is essential to avoid court action.

If you fall behind on payments for your mortgage, rent, council tax, energy bills, or unsecured debts, your creditors may take legal action to recover the money you owe. This could result in a court decree and enforcement actions such as wage or bank arrestment's, or even exceptional attachment orders for items inside or outside your home. These actions can also increase your debt due to added court costs.

Our Money Advisers can help you avoid this situation by working with you and your creditors. If needed, they can also represent you in court. We also work in partnership with Citizens Advice, who may be able to represent you as well.

If you need advice or support, please contact us using the details on this page.

If you're behind on your mortgage or finding it difficult to keep up with payments, it's important to speak to your lender as soon as possible.
They should explore ways to help you manage your arrears, assess whether you're eligible for a payment holiday, and consider any request to change how you make your payments. Ignoring the issue could lead to repossession action.

We can speak to your mortgage lender on your behalf, explore all available repayment options, and check if you qualify for financial support with your mortgage.

If you're at risk of losing your home, the Homeowner’s Support Fund—run by the Scottish Government—may be able to help. It includes two schemes: Mortgage to Rent and Mortgage to Shared Equity.

For advice or support, please get in touch using the contact details on this page.

Falling behind on rent can be overwhelming, but it’s important to act quickly.
If you're in arrears, contact your Housing Officer or landlord as soon as possible to explain your situation. Ignoring the issue can make it worse and may put your home at risk.

Try to agree on a realistic repayment plan to clear the arrears. In some cases, deductions can be made directly from your benefits to help cover the debt.

If you need help setting up a repayment plan, please get in touch using the contact details on this page. We can speak to your Housing Officer or landlord on your behalf, explore all repayment options, and check if you’re eligible for financial support with your rent.

You may also find the following resources helpful:

• Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
• Housing Benefit
• Universal Credit

Council Tax is billed annually from April to March and is usually paid in 10 monthly instalments from April to January.

If payments are missed, the council will issue reminder and final notices. Continued non-payment can result in the council applying to the Sheriff Court for a Summary Warrant, which adds a 10% surcharge to the outstanding balance. This allows the council to take further legal action—known as diligence—to recover the debt.

Your arrears may be passed to Sheriff Officers, who can enforce recovery through wage or bank arrestment. In some cases, they may be authorised to seize goods from inside or outside your home. Before this happens, a Charge for Payment will be served to everyone liable for the Council Tax. This gives you 14 days to respond or make a repayment arrangement before any enforcement action can begin.

In serious cases, the council may pursue Sequestration (bankruptcy), which could put your assets—including your home—at risk.

If you're struggling to pay your Council Tax, you should first contact your local Council Tax department to discuss your options. You can also reach out to our service for advice using the contact details on this page.

For full information on Council Tax charges, payment methods, and available support, please visit our Council Tax information pages.

For assistance, please submit your enquiry by completing our on-line form. A member of our team will be in touch within 5 working days, to discuss your current circumstances and how best to support you. 

Alternatively you can call is on (01382) 431188 (Select option 2). Phone lines are open 9:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday.