Andrew Heath, 52, died after wheelie bins were set alight and pushed into his porch in Worcester in 2011.
Daniel Martin of Worcester admitted the manslaughter of Heath in May. He was listed as Heath's biggest debtor.
Martin was also sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to three years for burglary and six months for assault.
The sentences are to be served concurrently, the BBC reported.
West Mercia Police said Heath ran an illegal money- lending scheme in the Warndon area of Worcester and died with around 7,000 pounds to 8,000 pounds worth of debt to doorstep lenders, payday loan companies and catalogue firms.
A high profile investigation followed, including an appeal on Crimewatch and the harrowing 999 call Heath made when he discovered the fire.
Several people were arrested over the 18-month investigation, including Martin who originally appeared in court charged with murder.
There had been no DNA evidence or CCTV to link Martin to the arson attack, police said.
But Martin - a known drug user who had served time in prison for drugs and burglary offences - owed "several hundred pounds" to Heath, the report said.
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