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General advice and information

If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage or think that you may do in the future:

  • don't ignore the problem
  • look at your situation and check what help you can get
  • talk to your mortgage lender
  • show that you are willing to pay
  • find out what your options are
  • check what you can afford to pay and remember this when renegotiating any repayment arrangement.
  • keep to any new payment arrangement you make. 
  • make the right decision for you and your family's future.

Who to contact for advice

Practical advice is available from:

​Court hearing?

If your lender has applied to court to repossess your home, you will receive a letter from the court telling you when there will be a hearing. Don't panic. It is important that you go to court and defend the claim. Remember: If you don't attend, you can't defend. 

If you are worried about going to the court hearing and speaking to a judge, don't worry as there could be help available to you. Most Courts have a court desk with an adviser or solicitor who can help you before and during the hearing.

Every other Tuesday morning at Guildford County Court, there are court desk representatives who can discuss your case with you briefly before the hearing, and help you during the hearing. They may also need to follow up with you after the hearing to make sure you are managing your monies and can afford your repayments. If the hearing isn't on a Tuesday morning, a court desk representative may be able to attend a hearing with you by appointment at Guildford County Court. It is better to contact the court desk at Guildford County Court before your hearing if you can, rather than on the day, as you will have more time to work with them to prepare for the hearing.

To find out if the court desk can help you at Guildford County Court, call 01483 541646.

Living with your family

Staying at home can sometimes give you the best opportunity to successfully plan your move into alternative accommodation. 

Living with family has a number of benefits:

  • it can be cheaper than other accommodation, so you can save money to fund your move into new accommodation
  • it may provide a more supportive environment during challenging periods in your life such as having a baby
  • it gives you time to plan, which means you are more likely to move into the right type of accommodation.

Difficulties living at home?

We recognise it is not always easy to stay at home but leaving home is a big decision. So, don't rush into it. Before you leave home you need to think about:

  • what options you have

  • what help you can get

  • where you can get that help

  • how you will manage financially.

We can refer you to a mediation service where mediators can help you and your family to find solutions while you remain at home.

Living alone

If you live alone and feel isolated and vulnerable you could subscribe to the Careline service. Careline allows you to continue to live independently whilst knowing that if you have an accident or feel unwell, help is at hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you find it difficult to cook meals, you may be able to get community meals.

Dealing with debts

If you live independently, remember that you should always pay your rent first, and then use any spare money to repay your debts.  

If you need help managing your debts, contact Citizens Advice South West Surrey.