Holding letter for joint account - ask creditors to hold off by Citizens Advice
Updated 3 November 2025
The Citizens Advice template holding letter for joint account holders helps consumers request a temporary pause on debt collection and a freeze on interest and charges when they are unable to make payments. It is part of Citizens Advice’s widely trusted library of open, lawyer-vetted letter templates.
Holding letter for joint account - ask creditors to hold off
[joint debtors]
[debtor address line 1]
[debtor address line 2]
[phone number]
[email]
[creditor name]
[creditor address line 1]
[creditor address line 2]
[letter date]
Your reference: [reference number]
To whom it may concern,
Account names: [account holder names]
Account number: [account number]
We are sorry that we are unable to keep up our monthly payments to your company. This is because:
We're sick and unable to work. We have claimed benefits and are waiting to hear the outcome of our claims. Our situation is unlikely to improve for at least 3 months.
We are writing to all our creditors asking for details of the balance outstanding on our accounts. Once we have this information we will be able to work out how much we can afford to pay to each creditor. As it may take a little time for all our creditors to reply, it would be helpful if you could hold action on our account for [holding period] and agree to freeze interest and other charges to stop our debt increasing. If you are unable to agree to this, please explain your reasons.
Thank you for your help and we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
[joint debtors]
About this template
What is this template?
Holding letter for joint account - ask creditors to hold off by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Restructuring and insolvency 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 Restructuring and insolvency 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. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Restructuring and insolvency 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.