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  2. Benefits and money
  3. Managing debt
  4. Debts and arrears

Mortgage arrears or payment difficulties

If you can't meet your mortgage repayments or you're worried you might fall behind, contact your lender as soon as possible. You can also get free independent advice from other organisations and you may be able to get help with your mortgage.

Contact your lender and agree a plan

Mortgage lenders are keen to help their customers sort out any payment difficulties. Also, the law says they must treat you fairly and take your circumstances into account. They may be able to come to a payment arrangement with you.

If you're struggling to make payments

Depending on your payment history and whether your difficulties are likely to be long or short term, your lender might agree to:

  • reduce your payments for a set period
  • charge you interest only for a while, if you've got a repayment mortgage (usually you pay capital and interest)
  • give you a 'payment holiday'
  • extend your mortgage term to reduce your payments

If you're already in arrears

If you've already fallen behind, your lender will suggest a way to pay off the arrears gradually, alongside your usual payments. If you can't meet the extra payments, you may be able to delay them for a while or add them to your loan. Again, it depends on your track record.

Always pay what you can

Pay as much as you can manage every month. Keeping up regular payments (even if they vary) shows that you're committed. Your lender's more likely to treat you sympathetically and you'll minimise the arrears charges too.

You can find more mortgage payment advice from the Housing Rights Service.

  • Housing Rights Service

Help with your mortgage

There are different ways you may be able to get help if you’re in difficulty with your mortgage payments.

Getting help to make your mortgage interest payments

Homeowners on certain benefits may be able to get help towards mortgage interest payments called Support for Mortgage Interest.

Mortgages taken out on or after 31 October 2004

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates most mortgages taken out from this date. Under FCA rules lenders must treat you fairly and send you regular statements to keep you informed about your current arrears position.

There are also rules covering what the lender must do if it intends to repossess your home.

If you don't keep up your repayments

It's very important that you don't ignore any payment problems. Mortgages are 'priority debts', which you should pay off first as your lender could repossess your home and sell it to get their money.

Working out how much you can afford

Your lender can help you work out how much you can afford but you may prefer to do this yourself. A good starting point is to write down all your income and outgoings (apart from the mortgage) and see what you've got left.

  • Budgeting and taking control
  • Dealing with debt problems  

Financial help

You've lost your job or you're too ill to work

If you've lost your job or you're too ill to work, check if you've got 'mortgage protection insurance' to cover your payments. The insurance payments may not start straight away so contact your insurer as soon as possible.

Benefits that might increase your income

It's worth checking if you're entitled to benefits such as Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or help with your rates. They can make a difference to your income and help with your mortgage payments.

  • Tax Credits Helpline and Tax Credit Office
  • Tax Credits (GOV.UK website)

Free independent advice

You can get free independent advice about mortgage difficulties from several organisations. They'll help you work out what you can realistically afford.

Housing Rights

Housing Rights offers debt advice and, where necessary, representation to prevent repossession and allow you to stay in your home.

It can also help you find suitable alternative accommodation if you are not able to stay in your home.

Other organisations

  • Step Change Debt Charity
  • Advice NI

Mortgage shortfalls after repossession

If your lender repossesses your home, they'll sell it to get their money back. If it sells for less than you owe them, they may want you to pay back the rest of the debt - the 'mortgage shortfall'.

They can try to recover the debt for up to 12 years.

  • Debt following mortgage possession (Council of Mortgage Lenders website)

More useful links

  • Help with your debt
  • Mortgage Interest Run On
  • Extended Payment of Housing Benefit / Rate Relief
  • Court claims and bankruptcy
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Debts and arrears

  • Dealing with loan sharks
  • Debt when someone dies
  • Enforcement of Judgments Office
  • Housing Executive tenant rent arrears
  • Mortgage arrears or payment difficulties
  • Overdue utility bills
  • Rent arrears
  • Tax and other debts owed to HM Revenue and Customs
  • What happens if you can't pay your rates
  • What happens if you don't pay your rates

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