Money Matters Advice Service

If you are worried about debts, rent or mortgage payments, and are at risk of losing your home, our Money Matters Advice Service can help. We offer free, confidential independent advice for those living in South Lanarkshire or working with South Lanarkshire Council.

What we can help with

• maximise income and reduce outgoings
• complete a financial statement
• explain your debt options in plain language
• speak to the people you owe money to
• help arrange affordable payments
• support you with sequestration (bankruptcy) applications

Contact us for debt advice

Complete our online enquiry form, and we will get back to you within 5 working days. If you can't use the form, use the contact details on this page to get in touch.

We will offer you an appointment with a Money Adviser. Please have any letters, bills and details of your income ready if you can. Everything you tell us is confidential.

Debt options we can talk through

• short pause on payments: if you have no money left after essentials, we can ask creditors to pause action for a short time
• token payment – a small amount of disposable income. Some creditors will accept as little as £1 per month
• Voluntary Repayment Programme - we can liaise with your creditors to come to an agreement to repay your debts
• Debt Write Off – in some cases, debts can be written off due to health circumstances, such as long-term illness
• Full and Final Settlement – creditors can often agree to take part payment of a debt in settlement of the full amount
• The Debt Arrangement Scheme
• Bankruptcy (sequestration is the legal word for Bankruptcy in Scotland)
• Protected Trust Deed
• Mortgage to Rent/Mortgage to Shared Equity
• help you get a credit report from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion

Loans, credit cards and other unsecured debts

If you can’t pay, contact your lender immediately, ask what support they can offer and keep a note of who you spoke to.

If they can’t help, we can contact them to propose a reduced payment plan, provide a financial statement and/or discuss other options suitable for you. We will request them to freeze interest and charges.

Missing payments can affect your credit file for up to 6 years and may lead to a debt collection action. Please get advice early.

Problems paying Council Tax/Council Tax arrears

If you are struggling to pay Council Tax, we're here to help. Information and help are available on our problems paying Council Tax page.

Information on instalments, arrears and recovery stages is available on our collection and recovery page.

Court action, decrees and fines

If you get letters about court action or fines, don’t ignore them. Contact the organisation chasing the debt and get advice straight away.

If a creditor takes you to court and gets a decree, they may be able to recover money from your wages or bank account. This can add fees to what you owe. We can help you understand your options and, in some cases, support you if you need to attend court.

Mortgage arrears

If you have missed mortgage payments or think you will, speak to your lender straight away. Ask about a payment break, changing your payment date or spreading arrears over time. If you don’t deal with mortgage arrears, your lender may start repossession action.

We can help you speak with your lender, look at repayment options and check if you might qualify for financial help with your mortgage.

If you are at risk of losing your home, the Scottish Government's Homeowners Support Fund may be an option.

Rent arrears

If you are behind with rent, contact your landlord or housing officer as soon as possible. Ignoring rent arrears can lead to eviction.

Try to agree on a repayment plan that you can afford. In some situations, rent arrears can be taken directly from your benefits.

Other rent help available

Get help early if you cannot pay your rent

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) - South Lanarkshire Council.

Housing Benefit - South Lanarkshire Council