If you think you could lose your home, it may be possible to avoid this happening:
Facing repossession? This could be stopped. Whether you are an owner or a tenant, it may be possible to stop repossession even if the mortgage company is going to court. Speak to Housing Options without delay (see below).
Family throwing you out? See advice from housing charity Shelter. There is a local mediation scheme which may be able to help you work things out with the family. Speak to Housing Options for more information (see below).
Suffering violence or abuse within the home? Get help; see Domestic Violence
Relationship breakdown? Relationship counselling could help you sort things out; see Relate. Think about the pros and cons before giving up on the relationship - you may struggle to find and afford somewhere else to live. You may have the right to stay in the home; see advice from housing charity Shelter.
Landlord harassing or illegally evicting you? Get advice; see Eviction and Harassment.
Struggling to keep on top of things? Floating Support could be the answer - see Housing Support Services.
Behind with the rent or mortgage? Give yourself the best possible chance by paying as much as you can towards the rent or mortgage. Start paying again if you have stopped. This is more important than paying towards unsecured loans, credit cards, hire purchase etc - those lenders cannot take your home away from you but your landlord or mortgage company can. See advice at Rent arrears or Mortgage arrears and below.
Financial difficulties? As a start see the Government's advice about Budgeting. If you smoke, think how much money quitting would save you; contact Time to Quit free on 0800 0434304 or see smokefree for help. For financial advice, debt, benefits and mortgage difficulties contact the Citizen's Advice Bureau. For specialist debt advice contact National debtline on 0808 808 400 or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. For benefits and finding work contact Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6060 234 or at Job Centre Plus.
Don't voluntarily give up your home
If you leave your home, will you be able to find and afford somewhere else suitable to live? Think very carefully about a 'sale and rent back' arrangement because you are unlikely to get the full value of your home, your tenancy will only be secure for a short time, and as a tenant you can easily be evicted if you fail to pay the rent.
Speak to Housing Options
Whatever your circumstances, get in touch with our Housing Options service - the earlier the better:
Our specialist advisors are here to help. Whatever your circumstances we will assess your housing needs and give you advice and information about your housing options, and we have a number of schemes which may be able to help you.
- Call or text (01283) 508120 or email housingoptions@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk and we will be pleased to call you back 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
- See us at the Customer Service Centre, Market Place, Burton 9am-5pm Mon-Fri (9.45am-5pm Wed)
- Speak to us from the Customer Service Centre, Uttoxeter Library, High Street, Uttoxeter 9am-5pm Mon-Fri (10.30am-5pm Wed)