THE number of homeowners in Sheffield who face having their properties repossessed for failing to keep up with mortgage payments has shot up by 37 per cent.
Figures released by the Ministry of Justice show there were 223 orders made in the Sheffield county court area in the first three months of this year.
This was 37 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2007.
Across England and Wales, the num
ber of orders in the first quarter of 2008 was up by 11 per cent, compared with last year.
What do you think? Add your comment below.A mortgage repossession order is granted by a court and entitles the claimant - usually a lender - to apply to have the occupier evicted.
Not all orders result in the properties actually being repossessed because homeowners and lenders can still negotiate a compromise to prevent eviction.
There were 291 repossession orders made in the Doncaster county court area in the first quarter of this year, which was 11 per cent up on 2007.
However the figures also showed a drop in Barnsley of 2 per cent, after 108 orders were made.
The number of actual repossessions for the first six months of the year will be published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) in August. The CML predicts that there will be 45,000 repossessions in 2008, up from 27,100 in 2007.
Sheffield Central Labour MP Richard Caborn said: "I will ask the housing department what the reasons are for this and how we can address it. I hope these do not materialise into actual repossessions."
Sheffield Attercliffe Labour MP Clive Betts said: "I remember in the early 1990s a lot of people coming forward. We are clearly a long way from the crisis of the early 90s. If you are getting into difficulties go and talk to your lender straight away. Lenders must show responsibility and extend payment periods or agree to go to interest only mortgages or part interest mortgages."
The figures came as the government unveiled plans aimed at helping homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgages.
It said there will be more free legal advice for those at risk of repossession, along with specialist training for debt advice agencies.
Housing Minister and Don Valley MP Caroline Flint said: "The fundamentals of the housing market remain strong with high employment, low interest rates, and long-term demand for homes from first-time buyers."
But Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps said the government had done "too little too late".
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