Home is the place you should feel safer than any other. Unfortunately, if you are facing the prospect of potential repossession, then that sense of security will evaporate in an instant. The possibility of losing the property is one of the scariest that anyone could ever encounter.
In these situations, it would be easy to lose your head. After all, you could essentially be made homeless if the worst scenario occurs. However, losing your collectiveness will only exasperate matters further. Finding a way to stay calm is often the first step to overcoming any dilemma, and this is one of those times where this rings true.
Once you’ve appreciated that panic get you nowhere, it’s time to start planning a way to fight this battle and keep hold of your home. It’s not just you that could suffer, your whole family will be devastated if the worst does happen. Now is the time to take matters back into your own hands.
Don’t just jump into battle blindfolded, though. Be sure to know your plan of action. This good guide on what to do in such a situation will help greatly, and can open your eyes to the possible scenarios you face. Understanding the various routes this journey could take, will help you prepare better. The extra familiarity will also boost your calmness if unwanted issues arise.
Be prepared for the matter to reach court. The last thing you want is a hearing to sneak up on you out of the blue. This is a serious legal battle and the possibility of it reaching court is real. Hopefully, you can find an agreement without it reaching that stage. But there’s a good chance you won’t, so be assured to give your case the best hope possible.
In most cases, if you can show that repayments can be kept to then you should keep the property. It might mean that you accept a suspended possession order, which means any defaulted payments would give the lender permission to evict you. But it’s better than losing the home altogether.
Give your case a boost by cutting your expenditure. Freeing up more money to make repayments will suggest that you can stick to the agreed plan. It also underlines your willingness to change for the better and highlights that you are taking the matter seriously. Even small gestures like ending subscriptions to monthly services like Netflix or the gym indicates that your priorities are with the lender. Doing this will go in your favour.
When facing a serious financial issue, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing a quick fix solution. It might work for one in every 100 cases, but for the other 99 it’s likely to make matters worse. Don’t chase money by gambling or playing online poker, it will probably end in tears. Besides, it will also distract you from planning how to win your case.
Similarly, you should be aware of various internet scams. The majority of these prey on vulnerable individuals. Right now, you are in a particularly susceptible position. Do not be suckered in.
Remaining focused on the task at hand is imperative. While you do need a little bit of time to let your hair down, it’s vital that you stay on track. Your inevitable court hearing is a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve never faced legal problems before. Don’t make matters worse by being underprepared.
Finding the right lawyer is a major step in fighting this battle. This representative will be presenting your case, but can also use their experience and expertise to give you tips in the meantime. An honest attorney will additionally give you key feedback about where you stand and what the likely outcomes are. Once again, removing the element of shock can only be good for your health – and, more importantly, your case.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, which is quite possible, then you should at least obtain the help of a Housing Possession Court Duty scheme advisor.
Your fate is essentially in the hands of your representative, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot give your case a boost. Familiarise yourself with how to act and dress in court, despite the fact your hearing will take place in a judge’s chamber. It might not make a major difference, but making a good impression could sway the judgement on whether you’ll be honest about sticking to the repayment plan.
In some cases, falling behind on payments is solely down to negligence. We’re all guilty of making mistakes. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, simply learn from those errors and strive to be better in future, irrespective of the outcome.
However, there are times when the issue was taken out of your control. For example, illness or injury may have stopped you from working. Letting your lender know about these unforeseen circumstances might help. Even if they don’t, you should take evidence of these issues to court. If you’ve since found a way back into work, then be sure to bring proof of your new earnings too as it will give further evidence that you can keep to payments from now on.
Ultimately, you must take responsibility for your actions. It isn’t the lender’s’ fault that you didn’t make the payment. However, proving that you’ve made changes to avoid future problems will go in your favour.
At the end of the day, the lender just wants their money. Provided you can demonstrate a genuine ability to make the payments on time, you should avoid the worst case scenario. Eviction is the last resort for them, just as it is for you.
As long as you avoid eviction, accept the court verdict and move on. Don’t think of this as an escape, see it as the motivation to be better. This is a new starting point, and keeping on top of payments will benefit you more than anyone else.
There will be hard times ahead, and you will have to make sacrifices along the way. But at least the house can start to feel like a home once more.
