Build a lender-ready plan, stabilise essentials, use Breathing Space where appropriate, and roll other debts into one affordable payment so you can keep up with the mortgage.
✅ Start Free Arrears CheckIf you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage, you’re dealing with a priority debt. The good news: with a clear budget and firm communication, lenders often agree to realistic catch-up arrangements. This page shows you exactly how to tackle mortgage arrears (often misspelled “mortgage arears”), stabilise essential bills, and build an affordable plan for everything else you owe.
We’ll cover letters and timelines, how to talk to your lender, what happens if court is mentioned, and how we use Breathing Space where appropriate to give you time to get organised. We’ll also show how we roll other debts—credit cards, catalogues, overdrafts, loans—into a single affordable payment so you can keep up with the mortgage going forward.
Can I stop repossession? Early engagement and a realistic arrears plan can often prevent possession claims. See our court section below and Stop Debt Collectors for calm communications.
Does Breathing Space help with mortgages? It pauses most enforcement on qualifying debts while a plan is built. Keep paying ongoing priority bills if possible (how it works).
Start Free Arrears CheckWhen a payment is missed, lenders issue arrears notices and ask for a plan to catch up. This is the moment to engage. A calm, budget-backed proposal can stop escalation and fees. Lenders must treat you fairly and provide key information within set timeframes under FCA rules.
If arrears persist, you may receive pre-action letters about possible court proceedings. It’s serious, but not the end. We help you present a credible plan that prioritises the mortgage and proves affordability. Learn the Pre-Action Protocol basics so you know what to expect, and keep written records.
Courts expect you to have a clear budget and repayment proposal. With our help, many clients secure suspended possession orders or arrangements that let them stay in the home while they clear arrears gradually.
The earlier you engage, the more options you keep. We’ll organise the numbers, remove guesswork, and speak the lender’s language—affordability and sustainability.
Also helpful: Compare Solutions • Council Tax Debt • Utility Bills
Help Me RespondOur approach is simple: protect essentials, then structure the rest. Alongside the mortgage, stabilise utilities and council tax. If you’re in rented accommodation with other debts, see Rent Arrears as well—housing always comes first.
Paying non-priority debts while the mortgage falls behind invites escalation. We put your budget in the correct order so your home and essential services are protected.
We always include headroom. A plan that only works on a perfect month will fail quickly. Sustainable beats optimistic every time.
Protect Essentials FirstLenders respond best to clear numbers. We present income, essential spending and a proposed arrears repayment that leaves room for life. That’s how you earn cooperation.
We’ll evidence averages and seasonality, and design a plan that survives quieter months. See Business Debt for extra support if you trade.
Keep copies of letters, emails and call notes. Written records make negotiations faster and clearer—especially if court is mentioned later.
Ask if the lender offers capitalisation of arrears or temporary payment holidays where suitable, and check if Support for Mortgage Interest could help with interest if you receive qualifying benefits.
Propose Lender PlanMost people with mortgage arrears also juggle credit cards, catalogues, overdrafts, loans, and BNPL like Klarna. We commonly roll these into one manageable monthly payment so your mortgage can stay current.
Debt Management Plan (DMP) – informal and flexible; many creditors freeze or reduce interest/charges.
IVA – formal, legally binding; strong protections; remaining eligible unsecured debt may be written off on completion.
DRO – for low income/low assets; strict eligibility, but very effective where it fits.
Fewer moving parts, less contact pressure, and space in the budget to keep the mortgage on track—month after month. See Compare Solutions to weigh routes.
If pressure is intense, we may use Breathing Space where appropriate to pause most enforcement and interest on qualifying debts while we prepare a long-term plan. It’s not a solution by itself—it’s time to get the solution ready.
Even during a pause, staying engaged with your mortgage provider is key. We’ll guide you on the right messages and timing.
Check EligibilityRead this page, then skim Compare Solutions, Breathing Space, and Stop Debt Collectors if third-parties are contacting you.
Share basic details so we can contact you and map your picture fast.
Begin Step OneNo scripts or judgement—just a specialist focused on your best outcome.
We’ll list every debt and confirm the mortgage arrears position, so nothing’s missed.
We’ll agree a monthly figure you can keep and draft a lender-ready plan. Preview it with our Debt Calculator.
We refine the route (e.g., DMP, IVA, DRO) to support your mortgage stability and long-term goals.
Use our reference number with creditors and, where appropriate, Breathing Space while arrangements are set up.
Stay calm and get your paperwork in order. Courts look for a credible plan supported by a realistic budget. With a clear proposal, many clients avoid repossession via suspended orders or structured arrangements.
We’ll help you organise documents, draft wording, and keep communication constructive with both the court and lender.
Stick to the order or agreement and tell us immediately if anything changes—we can often adjust before problems snowball.
Where appropriate, courts can make a suspended possession order that lets you stay if you pay your instalment plus a set arrears amount. If enforcement is looming, urgent applications may be possible to vary/suspend terms.
Prepare For CourtDifferent lenders behave differently. For typical approaches and tips, see our pages on Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds, and Capital One (for card and ancillary debts that might be crowding the budget).
We base proposals on a clear, consistent budget. That’s what carries weight with lenders, collectors and the court.
One plan, one voice. It reduces stress and stops you making short-term promises that break next month.
Deal With LendersWe’ll call you promptly (and WhatsApp if we can’t get through). We start the fact-find and budget immediately, prioritising the mortgage, council tax and utilities.
No—bring what you have. We’ll help you confirm the balance with your lender and gather anything missing.
They don’t directly control your mortgage lender, but by reducing pressure from other debts they can free room to maintain the mortgage and offer a sustainable arrears plan. We’ll tailor the route to support your home first.
Lender policies vary. What matters most is a credible budget and early engagement. We’ll present the strongest case possible and focus on what gets you stable.
Tell us quickly. DMPs are usually more flexible; IVAs have formal variation processes. Either way, we adapt where the solution allows.
Mortgage arrears and any arrangement can impact your credit profile. For many people the immediate priority is safeguarding the home and stabilising essentials. We’ll explain the trade-offs plainly.
Yes—tell us about any loans secured on the property. We’ll factor them into the plan so nothing is missed.
Use our guides: What is debt collection? and Stop Debt Collectors. We’ll route contact through your budget-backed plan and keep conversations calm and structured.
It can pause most enforcement and new interest on qualifying debts while you build a plan. Keep paying ongoing priority bills if possible; see Breathing Space.
Sometimes lenders add arrears back to the balance or spread them across your remaining term. Availability depends on policy and regulation; we’ll help you ask the right questions.
An order that lets you stay as long as you keep to terms—typically your normal instalment plus an agreed arrears amount.
Yes—non-priority debts can crowd cashflow. We commonly roll them into one affordable plan (DMP/IVA/DRO) so the mortgage stays front and centre.
Collect lender letters, statements and your last 2–3 months of bank activity. List essential bills: mortgage, utilities, council tax, travel, food.
Use the Debt Calculator. We’ll refine it to a lender-ready format and calculate what you can genuinely afford towards arrears.
We’ll help you contact the lender with a specific, sustainable plan. If suitable, we’ll also start a DMP/IVA/DRO process for non-priority debts so the mortgage stays front and centre.
Small steps, consistently taken, beat big promises that break. We keep you moving and defend your budget with the lender.
Build Week-One PlanIf cards or loans have been sold or escalated, you may hear from firms like Lowell, Cabot, Moorcroft, Advantis, Link Financial, Capquest, Wescot, Resolvecall, Hoist, Robinson Way, Fredrickson, Moriarty Law, Drydensfairfax, and PRA Group. We’ll channel all of this through your plan so the mortgage isn’t crowded out.
We’ll help you respond without agreeing to unaffordable amounts. One realistic payment beats three broken promises.
Start with What is debt collection? and Stop Debt Collectors to feel more confident today.
Handle CollectorsThe aim: protect your home, reduce stress, and build a plan you can keep.
Start My CheckWhen you’re ready, we’re ready—on your terms and timeline.
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