What is a debt management plan and how does it work?
A debt management plan, or DMP, is a financial strategy tailored to individuals facing challenges in managing multiple debts. It’s an informal agreement, made with a debt management company or provider, which allows you to consolidate your debts into a single monthly payment.
DMPs aim to simplify and streamline the repayment process, which could simplify your finances. The provider also negotiates with your creditors on your behalf, with the goal of reducing your monthly payments and, if possible, freezing interest rates and waiving charges. However, the success of these negotiations and the terms agreed upon can vary based on individual circ*mstances.
The disadvantages of debt management plans
Debt management plans are just one of many financial solutions available in the UK, and they may not be right for everyone. Before you commit to a DMP, it’s important to take some time to consider the potential disadvantages.
01.DMPs are not legally binding
DMPs offer a structured approach to managing debts, but they are an informal agreement and are not legally binding. This means that they don’t come with the legal protection that formal insolvency solutions provide (such as Debt Relief Orders and IVAs). So, even if you’re following the DMP diligently, creditors can still pursue recovery actions against you.
Such actions can include employing bailiffs or obtaining a charging order against your assets. Without the legal binding, you remain vulnerable to these actions throughout the duration of the debt management plan.
02.Not all types of debt are covered
DMPs primarily address non-priority unsecured debts such as credit cards, unsecured bank loans, and payday loans. However, they often exclude priority debts (i.e.debts that may have serious consequences if they’re not paid on time). This may include things like mortgages, rent arrears, and council tax.
As they won’t be included in your DMP, you’ll need to manage these priority debts separately, ensuring they’re addressed promptly to avoid severe consequences like eviction or disconnection of services.
03.You still need to repay your debts
While DMPs restructure your debt payments, they don’t eliminate the debt. This is in contrast to some legal insolvency solutions, such as bankruptcy and Debt Relief Orders, where some or all debt might be written off. With a DMP, you’re still required to repay the full amount, and must be able to commit to a regular schedule and make a monthly payment. The advantage lies in potentially reduced monthly payments, but this often means spreading the payments over a longer period.
04.Some DMP providers charge a fee
Many providers of debt management plans charge for the service they provide (such as negotiating with creditors, distributing funds and providing debt advice).
These fees can vary and might include setup and monthly management fees. It’s essential to be aware of any associated costs before committing to a debt management plan, as these can add to your overall financial burden.
05.Your creditors may not be willing to negotiate
As part of your agreement, your DMP provider will negotiate with creditors in an attempt to agree on reduced payments or to freeze interest rates. However, there’s no guarantee that any or all your creditors will cooperate (remember, it’s not a legally binding agreement). Some might be unwilling to accept reduced payments or may still insist on charging you interest, which can hinder the effectiveness of the debt management plan.
06.It may take you longer to become debt-free
One of the immediate benefits of a DMP is the reduction in monthly payments. However, this typically also means an extended repayment period, meaning you pay your debts off over a longer timeframe. While this offers short-term relief and can help you to budget month on month it also means you’ll remain in debt for a longer. This could impact your long-term financial planning or make it harder to take on additional debts.
07.You may pay more in interest over time
By reducing your monthly payments and extending the repayment period, there’s a chance that you might end up paying more interest over time with a debt management plan. Even if some creditors agree to freeze interest rates, they may not all agree to do so. Combined with the potential fees charged by the DMP provider, this could lead to a higher overall repayment amount.
08.DMPs can affect your credit score
DMPs are not a formal debt solution, and unlike consolidation loans, they’re not a form of financing in and of themselves. As a result, your debt management plan won’t be directly recorded on your credit report.
That being said, your creditors may still make a note of your new repayment plan, and associated actions can still impact your credit score. If you’re paying less than the originally agreed amount, creditors might report these as missed or partial payments. This can have long-term implications, potentially making future borrowing more challenging.
