A statute-barred debt is one that’s been left unpaid for a while - usually 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 5 years in Scotland - with:
If you do make a payment or write to say you owe the debt, that time period resets.
Just getting in touch with the company - for example, to ask about the debt or say you don’t recognise it - doesn’t restart the clock. It only resets if you make a payment or clearly confirm in writing that the debt is yours.
Once a debt becomes statute-barred, the company can’t take legal action to make you pay it. But it doesn’t disappear - it can still show up on your credit file, and the company may still contact you about it.
How do I know if my debt is statute-barred?
It depends on when you last made a payment or confirmed the debt in writing. If you’re not sure, it’s worth checking with the company that owns the debt or speaking to a free, independent advice service like StepChange or National Debtline. They’ll explain your options and help you understand where you stand.
