If you are a home owner, your home can only be repossessed if your lender or freeholder has a legal reason and the correct procedure is followed.

Repossession doesn't happen automatically. It may be possible to stop it at any stage in the process.

Reasons for repossession

You will usually only lose your home if you don't keep up the payments on your mortgage, ground rent or a secured loan. More 

Options when facing mortgage debt

You could become homeless if you can't keep up your mortgage repayments. If you ignore the problem it will become more difficult to control your debt and avoid repossession. More 

Preventing repossession

Your lender can take you to court if you don't pay your mortgage or any other loan secured on your home. Your freeholder can also take you to court if you break one of the conditions of your lease, but this is very unusual. It may be possible to avoid going to court. More 

Going to court

If you are a homeowner, your home can only be repossessed if the court makes an order telling you to leave. The most common reason for homes to be repossessed is mortgage arrears or arrears on a secured loan. More 

Allowed to stay in your home

You may have been allowed to stay in your home after a repossession hearing. This may be because there wasn't a good enough reason to repossess the home or because the judge believed you should be allowed to stay to give you time to put the situation right. More 

Ordered to leave your home

Your landlord or lender must apply to the Enforcement of Judgements Office to enforce the court's decision. You will usually have to pay the Enforcement of Judgements Office fees, which can be quite expensive. More 

Image 1 Sharon Meredith