We aim to make our website as accessible as possible. However if you use a screen reader and require debt advice you may find it easier to phone us instead. Our phone number is 0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1. Freephone (including all mobiles).

Homeowners guides

Helping you unlock your options as a homeowner.

Call us now for FREE

0808 1686 719

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Looking for other ways to get debt help? Find out how to contact us.

Debt can happen to anyone. If you fall behind with payments this can impact your credit file and make it harder to get a mortgage deal you can afford. Find out how homeowners can be affected by debt problems and what your options are.

If you are a homeowner and struggling to keep up with payments on your debts, you need to be aware of how your home and mortgage could be impacted. There are a number of debt solutions to help people deal with their debt problems. They may include options to use any equity you may have in your home. I have debts. Will I lose my home?

This is a risk if things get out of control, but repossession is a last resort. You have the chance to get your finances back on track. Get in touch with your lender as soon as you can if you are unable to pay your mortgage. It is important to deal with your priority bills, if you can. These are your mortgage, anything secured against your home, council tax and debts that can be enforced by court action.

Don’t wait and let things get worse.

Our mortgage debt advice team may be able to help you

We will look at your budget with you and explain which debt solutions could be right for your circumstances.

And we may be able to refer you to our StepChange Financial Solutions team. They provide advice on mortgage and equity release. So you can find out if these are options for you.

StepChange Financial Solutions is part of StepChange Debt Charity. The UK’s only free charity-owned mortgage and equity release advice service.

Our service is always free and unbiased. Call us on 0808 1686 719. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Find out more about our mortgage and equity release service

Our homeowner debt and money guides

What do I do about my fixed rate mortgage term ending?

Your lender will tell you what mortgage deals they will offer you instead. This could be another fixed rate. But you are likely to be moved onto a ‘standard variable rate’ (SVR) mortgage and this may not work for you.  

You can go with a new mortgage deal with your current lender or look for a deal with a different lender.

You may feel you cannot afford the new rate you are offered. Or you may have fallen behind with payments already.

It is important to act as early as possible before your mortgage deal ends. Speak to your lender and see what they can offer you.

  1. Make a budget
  2. Get in touch with your lender
  3. Protect your home by paying ‘priority bills’
  4. Get free budgeting or debt advice, if you need help
  5. Find out about different types of mortgage

    6. Find out what you should do now about your fixed term mortgage

    Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?

    It can be more difficult to get a mortgage deal you can afford if your credit history shows:

    • Missed or late payments
    • Court action, including CCJs
    • Bankruptcy
    • Other markers that tell lenders you have had problems with managing money

    Lenders are likely to make you come up with a larger deposit and there may well be higher interest rates. It is very important you check you can afford everything that is covered in the mortgage offer.

    We can look into the options with you. If you have got a bad credit history or you have debt, we can look at your budget during a debt advice session and see if there is anything else you can do.

    Call us on 0808 1686 719. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Can I remortgage or release equity to deal with debt?

There are two main ways this works:

  1. You can release the equity in a lump sum: Then use it to clear other debts. This is called ‘equity release’, see more below
  2. You can get a mortgage deal with a lower monthly payment: This frees up money to repay your other debts.

You will need to weigh this up carefully and get unbiased advice. Before going ahead with any solution or financial product you need to be clear about the risks and benefits.

We are here to help you. We can assess your situation and see if there are any other options available to help you deal with your debts. Call us on 0808 1686 719. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Find out about

Equity release

If you are over 55, you may be able to release equity from your home. Whether you are making home improvements, freeing up money for your retirement, or dealing with debt.

Mortgages and remortgaging

Mortgage advice
2:39


We provide free, impartial mortgage advice tailored to your individual needs. Whether you are a first-time buyer or looking to remortgage for a better deal.

With retirement and residential mortgages your home may be repossessed if you don’t keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Find out how we helped Steve

Equity release and mortgage advice is provided by StepChange Financial Solutions, a subsidiary of StepChange Debt Charity. It is not a lender but works on behalf of our clients to search the market for a range of mortgage and equity release products that will best suit their needs.

Budgeting

Keep track of your spending and income to protect your mortgage payments.

Your home and life changes

You may be dealing with other issues that have mean your priorities have changed, or left you with less money coming in.

StepChange Financial Solutions is a registered trading name of Consumer Credit Counselling Service (Equity Release) Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA reg. no. 517674.