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Many homeowners have problems paying their mortgages, often when they lose a job, split up with a partner or have unexpected expenses. If you're struggling to pay, you need to act quickly - even if the problems are only temporary.
What should I do?
- Contact your lender immediately to explain your situation and try to agree a way forward.
- Always pay your mortgage as your first priority, above other debts. If the mortgage is not paid, you could risk losing your home. This doesn't happen automatically, but the longer you delay, the more difficult it will become to control your arrears and avoid long-term debts.
- Check to see if you have mortgage payment insurance in case of unemployment or sickness, which might cover your repayments.
- If you receive Income Support, check with Jobcentre Plus whether you are entitled to any help with your mortgage interest payments. Tel: 0800 955 6688, visit Directgov: Jobs and Skills Search
Website. - Stick to any agreement you make with your mortgage lender. If you don’t, it will probably more difficult to negotiate with your lender in future.
- If you have already negotiated an agreement but are having problems sticking to it, get advice immediately. An adviser may be able to help you to persuade your lender to change what was agreed.
- Get advice!
Where can I go for advice?
There are many local and national agencies who offer free confidential advice.
Contact our Housing Needs Team as soon as possible using the contact details on the right hand side of this page. We will be able to advise you what you can do to try to save your home, represent you in court if your lender starts possession proceedings, and advise you about other housing options if the worst happens and you lose your home.
What will I need to bring with me?
If you come in for an appointment with a Housing Needs Officer, it would be helpful if you could bring the following documents with you:
- Mortgage Statements
- Any letters from your Bank or Building Society
- Details of any other debts you have, for example:
- Loans secured against your property
- Other Loans
- Credit Cards, Store Cards and Catalogues
- Details of arrears on Council Tax, Water Rates, and your fuel bills
Where else can I go for advice?
You could also contact the following:
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Community Legal Service
- Consumer Credit Counselling Service
- National Debtline
- Shelter
For further information visit the following sites:
- Shelter Advice Guide - Mortgage Arrears
- CAB - Advice On Mortgage Arrears
- CAB Fact Sheet - Help With Debt Fact Sheet
Related Websites
- CAB - Advice On Mortgage Arrears
- CAB Fact Sheet - Help With Debt Fact Sheet
- Directgov: Jobs and Skills Search
- Shelter Advice Guide - Mortgage Arrears
Related Tasks
- Feedback - Comment on this page
- Feedback - Complaints
- Feedback - General
- Feedback - Housing Needs
- Notify - Change of Address
- Search - Community Organisations
- Search - Consultation Finder
Contact Housing Needs Service
- Tel: 01803 208723
- Email: housing.advice@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208282
