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Debt Arrangement Scheme pros and cons

DAS gives legal protection while you repay in full. That is its strength and its limit. Here are both sides.

Applies to: Scotland

Written by The My Debt Cleared editorial teamLast reviewed 18 October 2026Next review 18 April 2027Jurisdiction ScotlandEditorial policy
The Debt Arrangement Scheme’s main advantages are legal protection from creditors, interest and charges frozen and then cancelled on completion, no fees for you, and your home and other assets left untouched. Its main disadvantages are that nothing is written off, the programme can run for many years, conditions apply to credit and missed payments, and if it is revoked frozen interest can become payable.

What to do now

  1. Check your disposable income with the budget calculator.
  2. Find a free approved money adviser via debt help in Scotland.
  3. Compare it with a trust deed using your own figures.

The advantages

  • Protection in law. Creditors cannot ask you for money, take you to court or apply to make you bankrupt while you are in a programme.
  • Interest and charges frozen. They are not payable while the programme runs and cease to be owed on completion.
  • No fees for you. Fees are borne by creditors, and approved money advisers do not charge.
  • Assets untouched. You do not have to use savings or sell your home or car.
  • Not an insolvency. You do not hand assets to a trustee, and there are no insolvency-style restrictions on being a director.
  • Flexible. Payment breaks and variations are possible if your circumstances change.
  • Joint programmes are available for couples.

The disadvantages

  • Nothing is written off. You repay the full balance, less frozen interest and charges.
  • It can take years. There is no maximum term; it lasts as long as full repayment at your affordable rate takes.
  • Conditions. You need approval before applying for credit over £2,000, and must report changes within a week.
  • Revocation risk. Missing three payments without an approved break can lead to the programme being revoked, and then interest and charges that would have been added can become payable.
  • Credit file and register. The application is on the public DAS Register, and StepChange says a DPP shows on your credit file for six years from the start.
  • Secured debts stay outside. Mortgages and secured loans are paid as normal.

Where it is often a poor fit

  • No disposable income, or too little to repay in a reasonable time.
  • Debts so large that full repayment would take an unrealistic period — a trust deed or sequestration may be compared.
  • Very low income and few assets, where the Minimal Asset Process may be looked at.

Compared with an informal DMP

A DMP is also available in Scotland, but creditors can refuse to freeze interest and can still take action. DAS puts the freeze and the protection on a legal footing. DAS vs trust deed.

This page explains how the solution works. It is not a recommendation, and it cannot tell you whether it suits you — a free, regulated debt adviser can look at your full situation.

You can get free, impartial debt advice

You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.

Common questions

What is the main downside of DAS?

Nothing is written off. You repay what you owe in full, which can take many years, though interest and charges are frozen and cease to be owed when you finish.

Does DAS affect my home?

No. A debt payment programme does not require you to sell your home or use savings, though a mortgage stays outside and must be paid as normal.

Can I get credit during DAS?

You need approval before applying for credit over £2,000 while you are in a debt payment programme.

Debt Arrangement SchemeHow DAS worksDAS vs trust deedTrust deed pros and cons
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