As a last resort, you could –
■ Sell your home
If you can’t afford your mortgage payments and you think this situation won’t change in the long term, you may wish to think about selling your home. However, before you do this, think carefully about where you will live. Your local council may say you have made yourself intentionally homeless and will not help you find somewhere to live.
If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible for the national Mortgage to Rent Scheme. The scheme may be able to arrange for you to sell your home to a social landlord and remain there
as a tenant. Advice agencies can give you more information about this scheme – see Useful contacts .
What if your lender takes you to court?
If you have taken all the possible steps mentioned above to get help, hopefully it won’t come to this. But if it does:
■ don’t ignore the paperwork you are sent – seek advice from any of the agencies
■ just because a lender starts court proceedings it doesn’t mean you will automatically lose your home. Make sure you get advice and make sure you attend the court hearing;
■ if you do have to go to court, a money adviser from one of the agencies can help you prepare your case and may be able to represent you.
Complaints
If you feel that your mortgage lender or insurance company is not dealing with your case fairly, ask them for a copy of their internal complaints procedure.
Consumer Helpline: 0845 606 1234
You can often get matters sorted out quickly and easily if you do this. But if you’re not happy with the answers, you can take the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service – see Useful contacts below.
See also the FSA guide to making a complaint about financial services for useful tips – available from the FSA Consumer website at www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer or the FSA Consumer
Helpline on 0845 606 1234.
Useful contacts
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)
Website: www.cas.org.uk
Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
Website: www.citizensadvice.co.uk
Look in the phone book for your local bureau, or on their website
National Debtline
Provides a free, confidential and independent phone service
Tel: 0808 808 4000 – freephone
Website: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Business Debtline
Free, confidential and independent advice for
self-employed people and small businesses
Tel: 0800 197 6026 – freephone
Website: www.birminghamsettlement.org.uk
Advice UK
All members provide free and confidential advice, but not all provide money advice. To find your nearest centre
Tel: 020 7407 4070
Money Advice Scotland
Tel: 0141 572 0237
Website: www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
CCCS offers a structured programme on how to
manage your money
Tel: 0800 138 1111 – freephone
March 2005
The Community Legal Service (CLS)
Aims to make it easier for the public to get legal help and advice – look on their website for details of agencies in your area
Website: www.clsdirect.org.uk
Credit Action
Provides information and guidance for people with debt or money worries
Tel: 0800 591 084 – freephone
Website: www.creditaction.com
Jobcentre Plus Office
Your local office can advise you if you are eligible
for any benefits.
Look in your phone book for details
Financial Ombudsman Service
If you are not satisfied with the way your mortgage
or insurance company has dealt with your complaint
Tel: 0845 080 1800. Call rates may vary
Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Local Trading Standards Department
Also known as the Consumer Protection Department
Look in the phone book for your local office
Financial Services Authority (FSA)
Consumer Website: www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer
Consumer Helpline: 0845 606 1234. Call rates may vary
Minicom/textphone: 08457 300 104
(available 8.00am - 6.00pm Monday - Friday: call rates may vary)
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