How will a debt management plan affect my credit rating?

All debt solutions have their advantages and consequences. A debt management plan could really help you if you`re struggling with debts you can no longer afford to repay - but remember that failing to make the repayments you originally agreed will have an impact on your credit rating.

However, this might not be avoidable. If your debts have become so difficult to manage that you can`t afford to meet all of your agreed repayments, then your credit rating is probably already being affected.

In this situation, whether or not a debt management plan is the right option for you is a more relevant point to consider.

Why does a debt management plan affect my credit rating?

As you are unable to afford your agreed repayments, you`ll be asking your lenders to accept an amount that is less than was originally agreed - meaning you`ll effectively be missing some of the payments you were supposed to make. This will be recorded on your credit history, as may the debt management plan itself.

Records on your credit history remain for six years. Unfortunately, this means your credit rating will be affected for six years after any adverse information is recorded, and this will make future borrowing more difficult. Should I be worried about the impact on my credit rating?

Nobody wants to end up with a poor credit rating, but if you are unable to afford to meet your debt repayments, it`s more important that you get the help you need as soon as possible, as this will help to prevent unnecessary costs and potential enforcement action. After all, any debt solution which involves reducing your repayments or writing off some of your debt will have a negative affect on your credit rating.

With that in mind, you should accept that your credit rating will be affected, and focus on which debt solution is going to be right for you. There are a number of factors that can affect how suitable a solution is for your circumstances, so always make sure you get advice from an expert.

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Tags: debt, debt management plan, debt management, credit rating, credit score, credit report

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