Safe as houses...

The number of families threatened with repossession in Oldham is falling faster than other parts of Greater Manchester and the North-West.

Mortgage lenders launched 120 repossession claims — the first stage of taking back a property — in the borough between July and September.

That’s 19 per cent less than the same time last year. And the 12 months from October, 2009, to the end of September show 440 claims were started — down 27 per cent.

Across Greater Manchester, claims fell by 16 per cent between July and September and 27 per cent across the year. In the North-West as a whole, claims fell by 17 per cent in the three months and 26 per cent year on year.

The Ministry of Justice figures do not reveal the actual number of evictions because a family can still save their home after a claim has been made by settling their debts or reaching an agreement with the borrower.

Across England and Wales, 20,384 families were threatened with repossession between July and September representing a 18 per cent reduction compared with the same three months last year and over the 12-month period, a 24 per cent fall from the previous year’s total.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: “While I am encouraged that fewer families are facing the frightening possibility of losing their homes, we cannot rest on our laurels.

“I would advise anyone with money worries that the best thing they can do to avoid repossession is to seek help and support as early as possible through our mortgage help website and Citizens’ Advice.”