A new government advertising campaign suggests that English residents are more likely to have their homes repossessed if they live in the West Midlands or the North West.
The campaign urges people to seek advice if they are struggling with mortgage payments, and is concentrated in these areas.
Since April 2008 around 300,000 people have received advice on the subject, but only 15 families have taken up the offer of staying as tenants in properties they used to own.
The new government ads try to emphasise that early assistance can prevent people from losing their homes. When homeowners are struggling with mortgage repayments ? such as after a redundancy ? many home repossessions are avoided if they negotiate with the lender about the amount they can repay.
With so few families completing the process which allows them to stay as tenants, a new fast-track team is being set up in England to assist with applications to the ?mortgage rescue? process. While Northern Ireland is still waiting for its own scheme, 70 families in Wales and 105 in Scotland have successfully completed the process.
Home repossessions in the UK were reduced in the early summer, thanks to more tolerant lenders and low interest rates. The second quarter saw 11,400 repossessions ? 10 per cent down on the first quarter, but up 14 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Nevertheless, repossessions are forecast to go higher as the number of actions started in court has been on the rise.
Housing Minister John Healey said: ?When homeowners are under pressure and feel their finances are spiralling out of control, I am determined that they have access to practical and impartial advice so they can sort out their situation.?
