A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a Scottish Government debt repayment scheme for residents of Scotland only. It freezes the interest and charges on your debts and lets you repay what you owe in full through one affordable monthly payment, while protecting assets such as your home and car. Because you repay in full, a DAS will still affect your credit rating.
A DAS is a formal debt solution available only to residents of Scotland. Your details are recorded on the public DAS Register and it will affect your credit rating. Your initial advice is free and there’s no obligation. We’re a commercial service — free, independent debt advice is also available from MoneyHelper and the Scottish Government.
A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a government debt repayment scheme for Scottish residents only. A DAS freezes all interest and charges with your creditors, meaning you’re safeguarded from your debts increasing once you enter it. One of the main benefits of entering a DAS is that valuable assets such as your car or home are not affected in any way, as long as you keep up the payments on them.
The scheme lets you pay back an affordable monthly payment, which is determined once a money adviser goes through your financial circumstances and assesses how much you have available to service your debts. You then pay back the full amount owed, minus any interest and fees. Your adviser will tell you how much you need to pay each month (or weekly), how long the scheme will take and the final amount you will pay.
You can’t apply for a DAS yourself — it’s arranged for you by an Approved Money Adviser, who deals with your creditors and the DAS Administrator on your behalf.
Your Approved Money Adviser submits the details of your Debt Payment Programme to your creditors. They have 21 days to advise your adviser if they object to the plan.
If no creditors object, the details go to the DAS Administrator (the Accountant in Bankruptcy — an office of the Scottish Government) and the plan is automatically approved. If a creditor objects, the DAS Administrator considers whether the plan is “fair and reasonable” and, if so, can approve it regardless of the objection.
Worried a creditor may take action before your plan is up and running? Your adviser can apply on your behalf for a legal 6-week breathing period, so your Debt Payment Programme can be formulated and approved without creditors taking action.
Free, confidential advice with no obligation. Find out in minutes whether a Debt Arrangement Scheme could suit your circumstances.
See if you qualify →For the right person, a Debt Arrangement Scheme offers protection and breathing space while you repay what you owe. Here are some of the main advantages.
Repay only what you can afford each month, based on your income and circumstances.
Calls from creditors will reduce or stop, and a money adviser deals with your creditors for you.
All interest and charges are frozen, so the amount you owe stops growing.
Key assets such as your home and car are protected by a DAS, as long as you maintain the mortgage, rent or finance payments on them.
All unsecured debt included in the plan is repaid on successful completion of the programme.
Having a money adviser handle your creditors relieves much of the stress of dealing with them yourself.
As with most debt solutions there are some disadvantages, which should be carefully considered. Another debt solution may be more appropriate for you.
Individuals cannot apply for a DAS themselves — you must consult an Approved Money Adviser to set one up.
Your name is placed on the public DAS Register, so you won’t be able to borrow any more money while your DAS is running. A DAS will also affect your credit rating.
Unlike a Trust Deed, no money is written off your debts — you repay what you owe in full (minus frozen interest and charges). Our guide comparing a Trust Deed and a DAS sets the two side by side.
A DAS can last for several years if you have large debts, and can be extended if you have to reduce the amount you pay each month. There is no fixed time period — the programme lasts until your debts are repaid.
Secured debts such as your mortgage and hire purchase repayments can’t be included in a DAS, so you must keep paying those separately.
Failing to maintain payments may result in creditors breaking off the arrangements made at the start of your programme, which could leave you in a worse position — possibly leading to bankruptcy.
A DAS may be worth exploring if you live in Scotland, have enough disposable income to repay your debts over a reasonable period, and want to keep your assets protected while you clear what you owe.
Under a DAS you repay what you owe in full, minus the interest and charges that are frozen when your plan is approved.
Check if you qualify Free initial advice · Set up through an Approved Money AdviserYour initial advice is free and there’s no obligation. Trust-Deeds.co.uk is a trading style of My Debt Plan Ltd — a commercial, profit-seeking service, paid for the debt solution you enter into.
You won’t pay a separate fee for a Debt Arrangement Scheme yourself. The fees for administering your Debt Payment Programme are deducted from the payments you make, before your creditors are paid. The DAS Administrator’s fee is 2% and the fee for the others involved in running the programme is 20% of the sum paid to your creditors. So, if you complete the programme, you will have repaid your debt in full, with your creditors receiving 78% of what they were owed. All fees are explained to you in full before you begin.
Another option may be available and more suitable for you. We’ll always talk you through the advantages, disadvantages and risks of each before you decide.
A form of insolvency where you make reduced payments over around four years, after which qualifying unsecured debts included are written off. It’s recorded on the public Register of Insolvencies, affects your credit rating, and your home equity and assets are taken into account.
Learn about Trust Deeds →The Scottish form of bankruptcy. Most, if not all, unsecured debts are written off and creditors must stop contacting you, but it’s recorded on a public register, affects your credit rating and carries restrictions while you’re bankrupt.
Learn about sequestration →Find out in minutes which Scottish debt solution could help you. It’s free, confidential and there’s no obligation.
Answer a few quick questions about your situation and a debt advisor at My Debt Plan Ltd will be in touch to talk through your options. It’s free, confidential and there’s no obligation.
See if you qualify →Prefer to speak to someone? Call us on
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Free, independent debt advice is also available from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice Scotland.
Where the Debt Arrangement Scheme sits against the other Scottish routes.
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