The numbers of people facing housing repossession is surging but they could keep their homes if they get legal help without delay, according to the Legal Services Commission (LSC).
The numbers of mortgage repossessions has tripled over the last three years from 8,200 in 2004 to 27,100 in 2007, according to figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
People in danger of eviction or having property repossessed can get free advice through a LSC scheme paid for by legal aid. The Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme can be a source of free last minute help for people at hearings in possession proceedings. For people who have not sought legal advice prior to hearings, this scheme offers access to a duty solicitor or adviser at the court on the day. The adviser represents the defendant through the hearing itself and follows up any resulting action.
Since the scheme first ran in 2005, take-up has grown. In 2005-06 around 12,000 cases were undertaken but by 2006-07 that more than doubled to around 30,000 cases.
Demand for housing advice is up across all the legal aid schemes. Case numbers increased by more than 55% over the last three years, up to 135,000 in 2006/07. Debt is often linked to housing problems and debt cases are also rising. Last year the LSC helped people with a 120,000 debt cases, more than twice the figure three years ago.
Crispin Passmore, Director of the Community Legal Services for the Legal Services Commission said:
"The current financial environment is driving up homes repossessions and putting many people facing repossession proceedings into a state of panic. Our court-based government funded scheme helps save people's homes but getting advice early is still the best advice. Facing homelessness can have a devastating effect on people and their families, yet so many people still arrive at court without the right legal help.
"The Audit Commission estimates that it costs public services £2,000 each time someone loses their home. The cost of representing someone under this scheme averages at under £100. But the loss to individuals and families cannot be calculated so easily.
"Our Housing Duty Scheme is open to anyone when they are at court facing possession proceedings and means it's not too late to get help even on the day of the case. People should arrive early to allow time to see an adviser. However, the most important message is that anybody with housing or money problems should get early advice from a qualified source."
