Rossendale, Blackburn and Burnley in top ten for repossessions

THREE East Lancashire boroughs are in the top 10 areas in England most at risk of house repossessions.

Rossendale comes fifth, Blackburn with Darwen seventh and Burnley eighth in a league table of every council district ranked by number of properties threatened with repossession by mortgage lenders per thousand homes.

The list by housing charity Shelter highlights the threat many families face of losing their homes in the current economic climate.

It named the top 10 areas most at risk of repossession proceedings, with Barking and Dagenham in London named England's worst with 8.44 repossession claims per thousand homes.

Rossendale comes fifth at 6.46, Blackburn seventh with 6.16 and Burnley eighth at 6.11.

Using official figures Shelter found that the national average was 3.5 claims per 1,000 homes.

Possession claims, which are recorded by the Ministry of Justice, are the first step in making a repossession and not all houses end up being seized.

Researchers found a strong link between rising unemployment and repossession, with jobless hotspot areas seeing claims rising fastest.

Chief executive of Shelter Campbell Robb, said: “Most people think that repossession will never happen to them, but rising unemployment, rising living costs and high house prices mean that many people are living close to the edge already, and risk falling into a spiral of debt and repossession.

Related links

“The journey from being a homeowner to becoming homeless is frighteningly swift.”

Comments(7)

madari says...
3:52pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Madari the snake charmer says:

And Cameron want`s to cut housing benefits for the under 25`s

midas says...
4:24pm Thu 28 Jun 12

So thats 6 houses per 'ooo. Whats that figure as a % of the total houses in the area? Maths isn't my strongest but isn't that less than 1%?
.
Is the '000 the number of houses or the number of houses with mortgages?

Mothernature says...
5:01pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Surely to get a better understanding of repossessions, they should have done a study of those losing their homes in the social housing & private rented sectors.

mavrick says...
6:35pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Surely it would be better all round if a system was in place to allow people in distress to rent their house at an affordable rent. when the situation improves then an agreement to pay the outstanding monies could be found. At least the mortgage lenders would be getting some money in. but that would need a social conscience.

Your ferret stinks says...
6:59pm Thu 28 Jun 12

mavrick wrote:
Surely it would be better all round if a system was in place to allow people in distress to rent their house at an affordable rent. when the situation improves then an agreement to pay the outstanding monies could be found. At least the mortgage lenders would be getting some money in. but that would need a social conscience.
Unfortunately your ideal world will not survive as there are to many people who are happy to live in distress and rent a house cheap which means more money for booze and drugs and even the genuine people would be better off claiming they could never pay it off as going to work on the minimum wage would render them worse off by many £'s.

Good call says...
7:09pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Your ferret stinks wrote:
mavrick wrote:
Surely it would be better all round if a system was in place to allow people in distress to rent their house at an affordable rent. when the situation improves then an agreement to pay the outstanding monies could be found. At least the mortgage lenders would be getting some money in. but that would need a social conscience.
Unfortunately your ideal world will not survive as there are to many people who are happy to live in distress and rent a house cheap which means more money for booze and drugs and even the genuine people would be better off claiming they could never pay it off as going to work on the minimum wage would render them worse off by many £'s.
If you were made unemployed and couldn't find a job,and then got into mortgage trouble, cameron,the daily mail and the anti benefits brigade would see you as **** as well maybe then you'd realise that people on benefits aren't,in the main are not playing the system.

Good call says...
7:11pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Good call wrote:
Your ferret stinks wrote:
mavrick wrote:
Surely it would be better all round if a system was in place to allow people in distress to rent their house at an affordable rent. when the situation improves then an agreement to pay the outstanding monies could be found. At least the mortgage lenders would be getting some money in. but that would need a social conscience.
Unfortunately your ideal world will not survive as there are to many people who are happy to live in distress and rent a house cheap which means more money for booze and drugs and even the genuine people would be better off claiming they could never pay it off as going to work on the minimum wage would render them worse off by many £'s.
If you were made unemployed and couldn't find a job,and then got into mortgage trouble, cameron,the daily mail and the anti benefits brigade would see you as **** as well maybe then you'd realise that people on benefits aren't,in the main are not playing the system.
Sorry I mean are not in the main playing the system

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree