Action for Repossession Statistics Decrease

The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service issued a press release today detailing statistics for writs and originating summons’s issued in respect of mortgages in the Chancery division.

The statistics reveal that in 2010 between April to June, 929 writs and originating summonses were issued, a figure that reflects a 3% decrease in the number of mortgage cases received in Chancery against the same period in 2009.

 
These figures represent a decrease in the number of people subject to court action however Citizens Advice is still concerned about the large amount of people facing repossession action and struggling to manage housing debt.

 
Lucy Cochrane, Information and Policy Officer with Citizens Advice said on the BBC Radio Ulster Nolan show this morning: “It is extremely stressful for clients who are subject to repossession action and while it is good news that less people are being taken to court, it is difficult for us to know how many other people are actually voluntarily handing back their keys to lenders.”
“ Anyone who is having difficulties managing mortgage arrears should get advice.”

Citizens Advice money advisers are continuing to see a large number of clients with mortgage arrears and the Dealing with Debt Service dealt with a staggering £5.5million of mortgage arrears in 2009/10. People facing court action can be prevented from losing their home in most cases if they get independent advice as early as possible. We would advise anyone who has concerns over their ability to pay their mortgage, whether or not they are yet in arrears or are being threatened with court action by their lender, to seek advice and assistance from their local CAB as soon as possible.
 
The DETI funded Dealing with Debt service operated by Citizens Advice has helped over 2,500 clients with over £33million of debt during the year April 2009-March 2010.  This is an increase of 7% on the previous year and continues the four-year upward trend since the service began.

Citizens Advice has produced a range of self help fact sheets on a range of debt issues which are available for download from the website  by clicking here

Click here to listen again to the Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster to hear Lucy Cochrane, Information and Policy Officer, Citizens Advice talking about the negative affects of repossession action (1:02 mins).