No home comfort for debt-ridden families

Repossession threat up 16 per cent across Oldham
THE number of Oldham families threatened with losing their home has increased more than all but one area in Greater Manchester.

The Ministry of Justice records show mortgage lenders launched 115 repossession claims in Oldham between April and June — up 16 per cent on the same three months in 2010.

Rochdale saw the biggest increase of 25 per cent in claims, while figures for Bury, Manchester, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan all fell.

The statistics 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.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps urged struggling homeowners to act quickly while more options were available and said repossessions should always be a last resort.

He added: “My message is clear: the quicker you act, the more options you have to stay in your home.

“The worst thing anyone struggling to pay their mortgage can do is bury their heads in the sand hoping the problem will go away. Anyone with money worries should seek early advice by speaking to their lender, Citizens’ Advice, Shelter, the National Debtline or by visiting the Directgov website and get free support, including a personal action plan to get out of debt.”

Annual figures for Oldham from July, 2010, to June, this year, show 425 families faced the threat of losing their property, down 9 per cent on the same period in 2009/10.

Across England and Wales figures remained static and 18,339 families were threatened with repossession in the three months.