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How long does a Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) last in Scotland?

DAS

Sharon McDougall - Updated - 30th April 2025 - 2 minutes to read

What time period does a Debt Arrangement Scheme run for?

Debt Arrangement Schemes do not have a fixed period. Instead, they are designed to be an affordable debt repayment option which gives individuals the time they need to clear their debts in Scotland.

How do Debt Arrangement Schemes in Scotland work?

A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a debt repayment plan which is only available in Scotland. Debt Arrangement Schemes are backed by the Scottish government and allow individuals to pay back the money they owe at a rate that is affordable for them by way of a debt payment programme (DPP).

Individuals repay their debts through a series of monthly instalments made directly to the debt payment programme which will then be shared between your creditors. All interest and fees will be frozen as part of the terms of the DAS which allows for the balance to be reduced at a quicker rate.

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What is the duration of a Debt Arrangement Scheme in Scotland?

Unlike Trust Deeds, there is no set amount of time a Debt Arrangement Scheme can run for; however, the average length of this type of repayment plan is around six and a half years.

The exact time a Debt Arrangement Scheme will last for depends on a number of factors, mainly the amount of debt which is owed and the level of disposable income which can be put towards paying the debt down. The lower the debt and the higher the income of the individual, the quicker the debts can be repaid and therefore the shorter the term of the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

As Debt Arrangement Schemes do not write off any of the debt you have, this type of plan will continue to run until you have paid back everything you owe to your creditors, whether this takes 12 months or 12 years.

Can I increase or decrease the length of a Debt Arrangement Scheme?

As Debt Arrangement Schemes can last for many years, there is an understanding that an individual’s financial position could change multiple times over this period. Due to this, there is an element of flexibility built into the Debt Arrangement Scheme plan which ensures it remains suitable for you over the years.

If you experience a significant and permanent change of income while a DAS is in place, you should notify you DAS plan provider of this information as soon as you can. This will allow you to renegotiate your monthly repayment with your creditors based on your new circumstances.

This may involve increasing your monthly contribution which will allow you to cut short the term of the Debt Arrangement Scheme or alternatively decreasing your monthly payment if your income has reduced. Please note that decreasing the payment you put towards your DAS will increase the length of time you will have to make payments for.

You can finish a Debt Arrangement Scheme early if you receive a lump sum payment, such as a bonus from work or an inheritance, which can fully clear the outstanding balance remaining on your debts.

How Scotland Debt Solutions help with a Debt Arrangement Scheme

If you are considering a Debt Arrangement Scheme as a way to manage your debts, contact the experts at Scotland Debt Solutions. Working from 4 offices across Scotland, our advisors know all there is to know about Debt Arrangement Schemes and the other debt solutions which are only available in Scotland.

Get in touch with the team today and take the first step towards a debt-free future.

Sharon McDougall

Manager

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