For a short-term dip in income (a redundancy, illness, reduced hours) most lenders will consider a payment deferral, a temporary reduced payment, or switching to interest-only for a set period. These preserve your home while you get back on your feet.
For longer-term problems, extending the mortgage term reduces monthly payments (though you pay more interest overall). Some lenders will 'capitalise' arrears — rolling them into the mortgage balance — so you're no longer technically in arrears.
If you have significant equity but no way to sustain payments, controlled solutions like assisted voluntary sale or shared ownership schemes can be better than repossession. Free housing advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice will help you weigh options against your local property market.
Related reading
Mortgage Arrears
Why mortgage arrears are always priority number one
Mortgage arrears sit above credit cards, loans and most other debts. Here's why — and what to do first.
ReadMortgage Arrears
The pre-action protocol for mortgage possession
Before a lender can start possession, they must follow a set process — and you can use it to your advantage.
ReadRent Arrears
How eviction actually works — the timeline
It's a legal process with defined stages, not something that happens overnight.
ReadRent Arrears
Protecting your tenancy when arrears are building
The earlier you talk, the better the outcome. Practical steps for tenants under pressure.
Read