Holding letter - ask creditors to hold off by Citizens Advice
Updated 17 October 2025
This template is a holding letter designed for an individual experiencing financial difficulty to send to their creditors. It explains the reason for their inability to maintain monthly payments and requests a temporary hold on account actions, along with a freeze on interest and charges. The letter aims to buy time for the individual to assess their financial situation and propose a payment plan.
Holding letter - ask creditors to hold off
Sam Hoolin
8 Park Avenue Arlton AL1 4CA
01632 960001
Giltham City Bank
24 Station Road Giltham GT16 3LP
12 September 2025
Your reference: LL/ANO/Reminder1
To whom it may concern,
Account name: Sam K Hoolin
Account number: 12345678
I am sorry that I am unable to keep up my monthly payments to your company. This is because:
I am sick and unable to work. I have claimed benefits and am waiting to hear the outcome of my claim. My situation is unlikely to improve for at least 3 months.
I am writing to all my creditors asking for details of the balance outstanding on my accounts. Once I have this information I will be able to work out how much I can afford to pay to each creditor. As it may take a little time for all my creditors to reply, it would be helpful if you could hold action on my account for 2 months and agree to freeze interest and other charges to stop my debt increasing. If you are unable to agree to this, please explain your reasons.
Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Sam Hoolin
About this template
What is this template?
Holding letter - ask creditors to hold off by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Debt Finance template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Debt Finance template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. Always review the final wording against the laws that apply where you live or do business.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Debt Finance usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.