Understanding the differences between priority and non-priority debts

What are examples of priority and non-priority business debts?

When you’re struggling to pay multiple debts, it helps to know which ones should take priority and which can be dealt with later. Some creditors have more power than others to recover debt, and can do so without going to court.

Here’s a list of the main priority and non-priority business debts, to help you focus attention where it’s most needed.

Priority

• Business mortgage/rent payments
  Business mortgage lenders and landlords have the right to take action without a court order. Your business premises could be repossessed, or equipment/stock removed, so it’s important to keep communications open with your lender or landlord
   
• Business rates
  Business rates have been notoriously high in recent years, but you can appeal against the ‘rateable value’ assigned to your premises. Various reliefs are also available for qualifying businesses, sometimes up to 100%.
   
• Gas and electricity
  If you fall behind on energy payments, your provider can cut off supplies to your premises quickly, but they must give you advanced notice. Energy suppliers are likely to be open to negotiations, and could you offer an extended payment plan.
   
• Water
  It’s a good idea to pay your latest bill if you have arrears for water, and then begin to tackle the arrears if possible.
  
  
• Income tax, VAT and National Insurance
  HMRC can take action without a court order, so as soon as you think you won’t be able to meet a deadline it’s important to get in touch with them. You might be able to negotiate a Time to Pay arrangement for all your HMRC liabilities.
  
  
• Lease and hire purchase agreements
  If you voluntarily return an asset and end the lease or hire purchase agreement, you’ll remain liable for up to half of the original amount. Once the item has been returned, the remaining debt then becomes non-priority.
  
  
• Trade suppliers
  If one of your suppliers is the only company who can provide certain items, you’ll probably want to regard them as a priority creditor to protect your own ability to trade.

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Sophie Schofield
Business Debt Expert

• Bank loans
  Bank loans secured on an asset should be treated as priority debt. Unsecured loans are generally non-priority, unless you fear the bank will restrict your company accounts in some way.
  
  
• Accountant
  Your accountant’s fees may need to be treated as priority if they are refusing to return your books, and you need these to complete a tax return.
  
  
• Personal guarantees
  Any form of borrowing with a personal guarantee is a priority debt. Your lender may decide to call in the guarantee if loan repayments fall behind, and they see no realistic hope of payment.

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Non-priority debts

The consequences of failing to pay non-priority debts are less severe:

At Real Business Rescue, we have a team of insolvency experts to help you identify priority and non-priority debts within your business. We can contact creditors on your behalf to establish an affordable payment plan, or if applicable, enter negotiations for a formal insolvency solution.