Between May and July this year, 11,400 homes were repossessed - equivalent to one in 1,000 mortgages. You may think that figure is comparatively low, but it represents thousands of families facing devastating stress and anxiety.
Now, the Communities and Local Government (CLG) department has launched its new Preventing Home Repossessions campaign - fronted by none other than moneysupermarket.com editor Clare Francis.
Clare said: "Falling into mortgage arrears and facing repossession is incredibly stressful and it's easier said than done, but the key thing is not to panic or bury your head in the sand in the hope the problem will disappear but to get help and advice as soon as possible. In the vast majority of cases, where homeowners seek help, they are able to keep their home.
"Ideally, you should speak to your lender before you have missed a mortgage payment, but even if you're already in arrears or have received a repossession order, don't give up as it's not too late."
For more information, watch the video Clare's done with the CLG, 'Tips to avoid repossession'.
What if I'm about to miss a mortgage payment?
If you can see that you will be unable to meet your mortgage one month then the sooner you let your lender know, the more sympathetic it is likely to be.
Lenders will always try to work with struggling homeowners. If you are having short-term money problems, they may be willing to offer you a payment holiday or accept a lower monthly payment.
Always be honest about the difficulties you're facing and the reasons behind them.
I'm in arrears, will I lose my home?
Not if you act quickly. Repossession really is a last resort for lenders and the figures back that up.
Research by the Building Societies Association shows that 97% of borrowers who fell behind with their mortgages have not faced repossession and are still in their homes. Talk to your lender and ask what help is available.
I'm heavily in arrears, is repossession inevitable?
If you've missed a few mortgage payments, it's very easy to feel like you've run out of options.
However, the sooner you act, the more paths are open to you, so it's vital to face up to the situation as early as you can.
The first thing to do is to carefully examine your income and outgoings, so you can clearly assess your financial situation and outline it to others. National Debtline has produced a personal budget sheet that you may find useful.
What help might my lender offer?
Lenders do not want to repossess properties and will want to work with you to find a solution.
Yours may agree to change the terms of your mortgage, to add your arrears to your loan, or to reduce your monthly payments. Currently, more than 116,000 households are benefiting from this kind of agreement with lenders, so you won't be the only one asking.
If you don't think your lender has done all they can to help you then don't give up. If it goes to court, they have to show they considered all other options.
Will the government help?
There is some government assistance out there but not everyone will qualify for it. If you're unemployed or work fewer than 16 hours a week, you could be eligible for support for mortgage interest.
Where can I find advice?
You can find more information on the government assistance available and other schemes at www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp.
As well as that, there are loads of charities and agencies that will offer you advice and support, including Citizens Advice, Shelter and the National Debtline.
Losing your home is not a foregone conclusion, even if you have to attend court, and you should ask for the help and support you need to keep it.
Will I have to go to court?
If you and your lender cannot reach an agreement then it has to give you 15 working days' written notice if it intends to take you to court.
Attending court is really important. If your case does go to court, it doesn't mean that you will definitely lose your home but you need to be there to represent your interests.
If you want more information on what to expect, watch the government video 'Possession hearing - what to expect at court'.
What happens at court?
Once you arrive at court, you will be directed to a waiting room, where a list of the day's hearings will usually be available.
You should check what time your case is scheduled to be heard and tell the court usher you have arrived. If you do leave the waiting room after that, make sure you tell the usher so they know where you are if your case is called.
The court itself will be more informal than you may expect, with the judge wearing a suit rather than robes.
You may be surprised at how short the hearing is. Usually, the person representing your lender will speak first and outline why they want to repossess your home.
After that, you will have an opportunity to outline the reasons you're behind on payments. Both the judge and the lender may then ask you questions, including how much you could afford to pay and whether or not there are children living in the home.
The judge will then make their decision. There's more information on what to expect in the government video 'Possession hearing - when you arrive at court'.
Can I just sell my home?
If you know that you cannot afford your mortgage you may decide to sell your home yourself. If your property is repossessed, it will usually be auctioned. You will almost certainly get a better price in a private sale.
You have the right to sell your home unless and until your lender takes possession.
What happens if my home is repossessed?
If the judge does give an order for possession, then the lender can reclaim your home. You will usually be given 28 days notice, after which the lender can ask the court to evict you.
What else might the judge decide?
The judge has a range of options and will not necessarily agree an outright possession order. He or she could set new payments for you to make or agree new terms you must keep.
Failure to adhere to the new conditions could either mean you must attend court again or immediately lose your home, it depends on the court's original decision. Make sure you fully understand the terms before you leave court.
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