Generally in life, if you’re struggling with something, the best thing you can do is talk to someone. The same can also be recommended if you find yourself struggling to pay your mortgage – speak to your lender or your mortgage adviser as soon as you can.

We are here to help listen to your exact situation and are ready to offer advice and guidance based on your circumstances, with the aim to help you through what can be a very stressful and challenging time, especially as the Cost of Living crisis rumbles on.

Never have any fear of reaching out if you think you may be in trouble, or just unsure of what the future holds. What’s more, the regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently set out updated guidance on how it expects mortgage lenders to treat their customers when they are unable to pay their mortgages.

There are a variety of tools and options that lenders can use to support customers in difference circumstances. These can include options such as extending the term of the mortgage, switching to interest only for a temporary period, moving to a different interest rate or making reduced monthly payments for a temporary period¹.

At the same time, it’s worth bearing in mind that making changes, even temporary ones, may result in higher monthly payments in future or paying back more overall. Mortgage borrowers should consider carefully any steps they take and customers who can keep up with their payments should continue to do so.

For this reason, whilst you should speak to your lender, we also recommend contacting us at the same time to talk through anything related to your mortgage, your monthly payments or even if you are concerned how you could be affected if rates were to rise further – we are here to help. We will be able to look at your specific circumstances, explain everything that you need to know and help you make decisions that are the most appropriate for you. 

Source

1. Financial Conduct Authority (2023). FCA confirms help for mortgage borrowers struggling with payments. Available at: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-confirms-help-mortgage-borrowers-struggling-payments (Accessed 27 March 2023)

All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 30^th March 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.