We use cookies to understand how you use our website, to remember your settings and improve our services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. If you accept the cookies and then change your mind, you can remove them in your browser settings.

Keeping up with your mortgage payments

If you’re having problems keeping up with your mortgage payments, you should talk to your lender straight away. They may be able to accept reduced payments for a few months, offer you a better rate, or give you time to sell your home.

If you have lost your job or are too ill to work, check whether you have insurance to cover your payments.

Not paying your mortgage can lead to your home being repossessed. Many mortgage lenders have agreed to wait at least three months before taking repossession action. The law also says lenders must treat you fairly and take all your circumstances into account.

Support for mortgage interest

If you’re a homeowner, you may be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage. This is called support for mortgage interest (SMI).

To receive SMI you need to have been claiming certain qualifying benefits for at least 39 weeks without a break.

You can find out about eligibility, how much you might get and how to claim on the Gov.UK website.

homeless prevention team