Borough tops repossession table

THE chances of your home being repossessed are higher in Oldham than anywhere else in England and Wales, says a new survey.

Oldham had the highest home repossession rate in 2013, with 747 repossessions - an average of 8.6 for every thousand homes. Romford, in North-East London, has the second worst rate of 7.8 in every 1,000 homes.

Eight of the top ten English and Welsh towns and cities with the highest home repossession rate were in northern England — with Wigan, Blackpool and Manchester joining Oldham.

Oldham Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) said social housing rent arrears and mortgage arrears cases continue to rise, despite growing confidence in the economic recovery.

Chief officer Jonathan Yates said: “People in Oldham are finding it increasingly hard to keep a roof over their head. Tenants in social housing are often on low incomes or face acute challenges such as disability and the impact on these people of rent and mortgage arrears can be particularly damaging.

“The impact of welfare reforms is beginning to take its toll. Many households in Oldham are facing hard times with the combined impact of high food costs, changes to support and in many cases, redundancy or job loss.”

Oldham CAB (0844 847 2638 or 0300 330 0650) can offer advice, as can the court desk service, which offers free advice and representation to anyone who has a repossession hearing at Oldham County Court