Your home

Problems if you rent

If you do not keep up your rent payments, you could be evicted. Check that you are claiming all the benefits you are eligible for, in particular housing benefit to cover your rent. Get independent advice – see box below.

If a landlord runs into difficulties paying a buy-to-let mortgage (a loan to buy a property that is rented out to tenants), the lender may quickly repossess the property. As a tenant you’re unlikely to have any rights to stay in the home, and can be given just a few days to leave. But you might be able to negotiate with the lender, so get advice urgently.

Problems paying your mortgage

Keeping up your mortgage payments is a priority, because your home could be repossessed by the lender and sold if you don’t. If you are having problems, talk to your lender straight away. Lenders must explore ways of helping you so that losing your home is the last resort.

Solutions could be:

• lengthening your mortgage term, which cuts the amount you have to pay each month;
• reducing your payments for a short period until you get your finances back on track;
• adding the amount you owe to your outstanding mortgage, which spreads the debt over the rest of the term and will increase your monthly payments; or
• giving you time to sell your home yourself, as you are more likely to get a better deal than if the lender sells it.

Extra help for homeowners

The government has set up schemes to help in the current economic situation:

• Support for Mortgage Interest. If your income and savings are low, you may qualify for state help to cover part or all of your interest payments. This help now starts 13 weeks after you claim (previously 39).
• Mortgage Rescue Scheme. If you would otherwise become homeless, you may be able to sell part or all of your home to your local council or a housing association and instead pay a subsidised rent.
• Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme. Check with your lender if it is a member of this scheme. You may be able to defer part of your payments for up to two years.

For details, contact your local council, your lender or one of the agencies in the box below.

Dealing with eviction or repossession

Generally, local councils have a duty to provide you with accommodation if you are homeless and either have a family member who is pregnant, disabled or elderly, or you have children. Get advice from an independent advice agency.

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