If your creditor has a county court judgment you may be ordered to pay the debt within a specified time or by instalments.

If you don’t comply with the court order, your creditor may apply to the court for a charging order. A charging order secures the debt against your home or other property you own. This means that you could lose your home if you don't pay back what you owe.

Once a charging order has been made, your creditor can apply to the court for another order to force you to sell your home. This is called an order for sale.

It may be possible to stop a charging order being made against you and there are several arguments you can put to the judge to try and persuade them a charging order is not necessary.

• There is very little or no equity in your property
• Other creditors aren't asking for a charging order
• Other creditors have priority
• A charging order is unfair on other people who live with you
• There are other ways to pay back the debt

If you owe money to a creditor and you are a home owner you should seek urgent legal advice.

Services - Debt