DAS Scotland - Scottish Debt Management Solutions

Repay your debts on your own terms. Based on your affordability.

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Debt Arrangement Scheme

A Debt Arrangement Scheme allows you to repay your unsecured debts with affordable monthly payments. The interest on your debts can be frozen, and written off after you have completed an agreed payment plan.

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Trust Deed

A Protected Trust Deed is available to people who’ve been living in Scotland for more than 6 months, who have unsecured debt of £5,000 or more. Typically a Trust Deed lasts 48 months and after that period, any outstanding unsecured debt is legally written off.

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MAP & Sequestration

The Minimal Asset Process (MAP) is a way to write off debts you can't afford. It's aimed at residents of Scotland with a low income and few assets. Sequestration is the Scottish equivalent of bankruptcy.

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How will DAS Scotland help me?

DAS Scotland works with expert Scottish debt advice companies. We give confidential, free advice on all debt solutions and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The solutions offered have helped thousands of people in Scotland become debt free. Our aim is to help you too start that journey.

  • Step 1: Find out if you qualify
  • Step 2: Assess your affordability
  • Step 3: Discuss your options & the pros and cons of each.
  • Step 4: Agree repayment and take the first steps on becoming debt free

Expert Debt Help Our advisors have many years of experience.

Whatever the cause of your money problems, we can help you find the way out.

Free debt advice from experts based in Scotland.

Do You Qualify

Talk to one of our qualified, experienced experts about your current debts.

Affordability?

Find out what your income and expenditure details are, and how much is left to pay your bills.

Your Options

Give you information on the solutions you qualify for and the likely pros and cons of each.

Repayment Terms

Proceed with the solution that fits your situation. Enjoy peace of mind that you've taken the first step.

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DAS Scotland - Frequently Asked Questions

Debt Arrangement Scheme, Trust Deeds, Secured Loans & Sequestration

DAS Advantages

  • A DPP lets you repay your debts at an affordable rate, while still leaving you enough money for household bills and living costs
  • All interest or charges that are being applied to your debts will be frozen
  • Your creditors can’t contact you or take any further legal action against you
  • If your situation changes you can apply to vary your payment or apply for a six month payment break
  • Once your DPP is complete, your debts are written off
  • A DAS is FREE. The creditors cover the cost of setting up and maintaining administration of the Debt Arrangement Scheme until you are debt-free. 

DAS Disadvantages

  • You may be in the Debt Arrangement Scheme for a number of years, compared to a Protected Trust Deed which may result in you being debt-free in only 4 years. 
  • Once you’re on a DPP your details will be put onto the DAS register. This is an online register that anyone can access
  • A DPP will appear on your credit file for six years
  • If you don’t keep up your payments the DPP could fail, and creditors can add interest charges, or take further action against you

Trust Deed Advantages

  • With the help of an Insolvency Practitioner (IP) you arrange repayments to your creditors over 4 years. After this any remaining debt is written off
  • Once your trust deed is approved, your creditors won’t chase you for payment or add more interest and charges to your debts, and they can’t take any court action
  • While you may have to sell some assets, you’re usually able to keep one essential vehicle worth less than £3,000
  • Although a protected trust deed is a formal debt solution, you don’t need to appear in court

Trust Deed Disadvantages

  • An Insolvency Practitioner normally takes a charge for their service out of your monthly repayment for your trust deed, so it’s important you understand what percentage this will be
  • A trust deed may affect the terms of your employment; if you’re concerned about this you should check your contract or speak to your HR department
  • There’s the risk of bankruptcy if your trust deed fails
  • Your credit rating will be affected for six years, starting from the date the arrangement is agreed

MAP & Sequestration Advantages

MAP Bankruptcy

  • Although MAP bankruptcy is a formal legal process, you won’t need to appear in court
  • MAP bankruptcy costs £90 to apply for, which is cheaper than sequestration. This fee is payable to the Accountant in Bankruptcy
  • You’ll usually be discharged from your MAP bankruptcy after six months, after which most debts will be legally written off
  • Once your MAP bankruptcy is approved your creditors can’t chase you for payment or add more interest and charges to your debts, and they can’t take any court action
  • Most unsecured debts are included in MAP bankruptcy

Sequestration Scotland

  • You can be debt free in a short amount of time
  • All your unsecured debts are usually written off, though you may be required to make a contribution
  • You’ll receive no further contact from your creditors
  • Your creditors can’t chase you for the money you owe them
  • Most unsecured debts are included in sequestration bankruptcy

MAP & Sequestration Disadvantages

MAP Bankruptcy

  • Your credit rating will be affected for six years from the day your MAP bankruptcy begins
  • Your bank is likely to close or freeze your accounts and you may only be able to get a basic bank account
  • Bankruptcy can impact some jobs, or lead to dismissal
  • Some private landlords may evict tenants or not renew a tenancy agreement if you become bankrupt
  • Some debts, such as student loans, on-going child maintenance and court fines are not included
  • If you’re self-employed, bankruptcy could make it harder to trade and obtain credit for goods and services

Sequestration Scotland

  • If you have any assets, like a house or car, these may be sold to release funds for your sequestration
  • It may have implications for your job – for instance you will not be able to act as a company director
  • You may find it difficult to take out credit, as sequestration will be recorded on your credit file for six years

 

DAS Scotland FAQs

What Is a DAS Scotland?

A DAS Scotland is a Debt Arrangement Scheme which legally freezes your interest and charges from typical unsecured lenders such as credit cards, payday loans and bank overdrafts.

Specific to Scotland, every year hundreds of people use this technique to manage and clear their debts.

Once accepted, you will make monthly repayments and stop creditor contact.

How does a Debt Arrangement Scheme Work?

You will make an agreement with your creditors to pay back your debts with affordable monthly payments.

The amount that you repay will be based on your affordable, taking into account your income and expenditure and will be reviewed.

How Long Does A DAS Take To Set Up?

A Typical DAS setup process takes between 6 weeks to 8 weeks.

A proposal will be drafted and sent to the creditors, and your DAS administrator will deal with potential objections. They have 21 days to object if there are no objections they are deemed to have automatically accepted. Even if they refuse, it goes back to a fair and reasonable challenge.

What is a Scottish Trust Deed?

A Scottish Trust Deed is a voluntary arrangement lasting typically 48 months that you can make with the lenders that you owe money to.

You will agree to pay affordable monthly payments towards the end of the plan. When the 48 months term has ended, your remaining unsecured debt will be completely written off and you will become totally debt free.

Can I Keep My Car?

Yes. In almost all cases that DAS Scotland deal with yes, you can keep the use of a vehicle.

This is especially true when you use the car to travel to work and back. We would advise you otherwise.

Can I Keep My House?

Mostly yes but this depends on the solution you choose and depends on the equity in the property. If there is little or no equity, it is unlikely that you will be asked to sell your property.

If you undertake a Scottish Trust Deed, your Trustee may ask you to attempt to remortgage to pay off your contribution. You can also consider applying for a Debt Consolidation Loan using a secured loan.