One in nine Britons paying rent or mortgage fear they would not be able to meet their obligations to landlords in January, new research from Shelter and YouGov indicates.
More than half, or 59 per cent, of rent and mortgage payers have admitted they are barely coping with their housing costs, the online survey of 4,150 adults shows.
Nevertheless, nearly a quarter, or 26 per cent, of those polled say they would be ashamed to reveal the state of their finances and ask for help.
Shelter says this trend is very worrying as people wait too long before contacting somebody, which could lead to the loss of their home. The charity aims to provide comprehensive advice at an earlier stage for anyone who fears not being able to keep up with property payments.
Shelter’s helpline adviser Nadeem Khan urged people to “get advice early to prevent things from spiralling out of control.”
The charity’s tip for avoiding eviction or repossession:
- Contact an expert: Getting expert advice from the start could give you more options later on. Visit www.shelter.org.uk/advice or call Shelter’s free helpline on 0808 800 4444.
- Pay rent or mortgage first: Putting rent and mortgage at the top of your spending list will help you avoid missed payments.
- Keep in contact with your lenders: Do not miss any phone calls or messages from your mortgage lender, landlord or letting agent.
- Plan ahead for shortfalls: You should have a plan to tackle unforeseen events like losing your job or getting ill for a longer time.
- Be there for court hearings: If you have to go to court, do not miss any hearings and seek adequate legal representation and advice from an organisation like Shelter.
