This is where you have failed to maintain a regular payment to an unsecured debt (credit card, loan etc) and defaulted on the terms to the agreement.

Following non payment this debt will also have been taken to the courts, you will have incurred a county court judgement (CCJ) and you will have been instructed to pay a set amount each month. If these payments are still not paid the creditor goes back to the courts for further enforcement. This enforcement action can range from a bailiff, attachment to earnings or as here a charging order.

You must have a mortgage to have a charging order applied to it and also equity in the property. If a charging order goes ahead and you later sell the property, the first charge (your mortgage) is paid off, followed by any other charges (the charging order), anything left over is then yours.

There is a lot more information that I could advise about charging orders, if you are being threatened with a charging order it is wise to take advice from a debt advisor who can review not just that debt but any other unsecured debts you may have

This question was answered by Debt Advice Foundation, an independent UK debt advice charity. If you have a debt problem, we can help you find the best solution for your situation. Debt Advice Foundation provides a free, confidential helpline and can advise you of all your options. Click here to find out more.