Twenty Tips for Homeowners with Mortgage Arrears:

1.	Find out if you qualify for a Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
2.	Open all letters and reply promptly in writing.
3.	Face the music. Every day you delay, lenders will add charges to your arrears.
4.	Tell your lender about your personal circumstances in writing.
5.	Send your lender a personal financial statement of your income and outgoings.
6.	Your mortgage is a priority debt. Treat your arrears situation seriously.
7.	Make small token payments to non-priority debts like credit cards.
8.	Do whatever it takes to clear your arrears: sell unwanted items or take a lodger.
9.	Claim all the benefits and insurances you are entitled to.
10.	Go to the Court Hearing and take your financial statement with you.
11.	Offer to pay your monthly payment PLUS an amount towards your arrears, however small.
12.	Show in writing that your arrears will be paid off within three years or less.
13.	Ask family or friends to help you and make sure you pay them back.
14.	Get help from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau or RepossessionRescue.ORG.
15.	Do not hand over the keys to your house. Your debts will increase.
16.	Avoid taking on a re-mortgage or taking out another loan.
17.	Ask your lender to consider reducing your current monthly payment.
18.	Behave honourably and stick to the terms of any agreement you negotiate.
19.	It is better to pay regular amounts monthly than make large one-off payments.
20.	Visit RepossessionRescue.ORG or call free on 0800 804 8302.