Please Login to view "member only" content

 Common Concerns about Debt

People have various concerns when they see the Student Advice Centre about a debt related issue.  Below are some of the most common:

“I may go to prison”

You can only be imprisoned for non-payment of Magistrates Court fines and Council tax and this only becomes a serious possibility once these debts have gone through the Magistrates Court and you have still made no arrangement to repay them at which point you could be accused of “wilful refusal” or “wrongful neglect”. 

“I will be blacklisted”.

There is no such thing as a ’blacklist’.  Creditors often use this term because it sounds frightening.  What exists are Credit Reference Agencies who, if you have used credit, will have a credit file on you.  This holds information about all credit you have taken out and whether you have repaid this or accrued any arrears, etc.  If you have had difficulty making repayments, you may have accrued a poor credit rating and will then have difficulty securing further credit or a mortgage in the future as lenders refer to your credit file when deciding whether or not to lend you any money. 

“Bailiffs will come to my house and take my goods”.

Bailiffs can only be employed if you have had a County Court Judgement on the particular debt concerned and you have not kept to the payment arrangement required of you by the Court Please see “What will the Creditor do if I fall behind with my repayments?” for further information about  debt collection procedures.

Smartphone App

Get the student experience on your phone. Staffordshire University Students' Union presents a handheld guide to your hottest news, photos, videos and events. You'll also find details for a range of clubs and societies you might enjoy.


App Store

Android Market

We Tweet

    Social Media

    Facebook Twitter YouTube

    Your Opinions Count!

    If you have any comments, suggestions, requests or feedback, please visit:

    www.staffsunion.com/feedback