Free help for families who hit hard times

FREE advice for struggling families faced with the threat of repossession will be available at Oldham county court.

The borough is among 80 areas across the country being given extra funding to provide the service for people most in need, Housing Minister John Healey has announced.

An additional £4 million is to be shared out as repossessions are expected to rise throughout next year.

Mortgage lenders launched 150 repossession claims against Oldham families — the first stage in taking back a property — in county courts between July and September this year.

The figures published by the Ministry of Justice do not reveal the actual number of evictions because even after a claim has been made, a person can still settle their debts and save their home and reach an agreement with the borrower. An awareness campaign is also under-way across the borough, aimed at ensuring people have access to the right information and help available to them.

Mr Healey said: “Repossessions are running at half the rate of the last recession.

“But with the risk of repossession set to remain high, I want to ensure we are doing everything possible to help.

“The people who work in debt advice agencies are, in many respects, the unsung heroes of our campaign to help people avoid repossession.

“Whether over the phone, face to face or in court desks across the country, the service they provide is a vital lifeline for those who feel that repossession is just around the corner.

“And to ensure lenders follow the tough rules put in place, a new checklist was introduced earlier this year so lenders must prove they have exhausted every possible option before seeking court action.”

The Government has stepped up help for homeowners during the recession as numbers of families struggling continues to rise.

Mortgage lenders now have a duty to inform the local authority as soon as action is taken against any property in the district so council chiefs can ensure people who need help are getting the right support.

For more information and impartial advice, call the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000.