What is a Competent Authority?
Competent Authority Introduction
A Competent Authority is the organisation that puts forward the Debt Relief Order on behalf of the applicant.
In order to apply to become a Competent Authority, the organisation has to “apply for designation as a Competent Authority for the purposes of granting approvals under Section 251U of the Insolvency Act 1986 to the Secretary of State”.
The company has to provide in depth information, which is open to close inspection in order to be considered. It must be proven to be a “fit and proper body to act as such.”
Advice to people struggling with debts
- Pay off 'priority debts' like mortgage repayments and council tax bills before things like credit cards
- Make a list of what you owe
- Get regular copies of your credit file
- Make a spending plan
- Talk to your lender
- Plan ahead if you're coming to the end of a fixed-term mortgage
- Open all your post and attend court hearings
- Use self-discipline
If you would like more information please contact us Money Advice Direct on 0800 074 6918 or fill in our form by clicking here.
If you are unsure as to whether an Debt Relief Order is the best way to solve your debt problems please call us on 0800 074 6918.
If you wish to discuss the Debt Relief Order procedure and understand how it can help you please complete the following form or telephone freephone 0800 074 6918.
Listed below are some of the frequently asked questions relating to Debt Relief Orders
- Introduction to Debt Relief Orders
- What is a Debt Relief Order?
- What debts can be included in a Debt Relief Order?
- What debts are excluded from a DebtRelief Order?
- Is my Hire Purchase affected by a Debt Relief Order?
- Is my Motability Car Scheme affected by a Debt Relief Order?
- Who can apply for a Debt Relief Order?
- What is a Competent Authority?
- What is an Approved Intermediary?
- What is the cost of a Debt Relief Order?
- Why should I consider a Debt Relief Order rather than Bankruptcy?
- How do I apply for a Debt Relief Order?
- Who decides if my Debt Relief Order is approved?
- What if my circumstances change whilst I am in a Debt Relief Order?
- How will my creditors know I am in a Debt Relief Order?
- What happens to interest and charges if I am in a Debt Relief Order?
- Rent Arrears and Debt Relief Order's
- Will I be allowed a reasonable standard of living?
- Debt Relief Order Case Study 1
- Debt Relief Order Case Study 2
- Debts incurred after the granting of a Debt Relief Order
- What are the restrictions of a Debt Relief Order?
- What happens if you are dishonest before or during a Debt Relief Order?
- How will a Debt Relief Order affect you?
- What debts are not covered by a Debt Relief Order?
- Will a Debt Relief Order (DRO) affect my council tenancy as I am in debt?
- Can I apply to the Police if I have a Debt Relief Order (DRO)?
- Does getting a job after getting a Debt Relief Order (DRO) affect me, because I am seriously in debt?
IVA's
The IVA Guide
Money Advice Direct has put together an IVA Guide based on the enquiries and questions that we receive at our helpline offices.
In the guide we cover such subjects as IVA Approval, early settlment of your IVA, missed IVA payments, IVA failure, additional debt claims and much more.
[click here for IVA Guide]
What is an IVA?
The IVA is an extremely powerful tool enabling you to clear your debt and return to a clean financial bill of health. Visit Money Advice Direct's Guide to Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs).
[more...]
DANGER
Due to the tremendous demand for debt consolidation services the United Kingdom is now overloaded with debt management companies that contain misleading information. [more...]