Are you fighting repossession? Are you so far behind with your mortgage payments that your lender is threatening to take possession of your home? You do have the power to stop the process in its tracks.

How to get repossession stopped

Repossession is a legal procedure, and lenders who want to take possession of your property must take the proper legal steps. If they do not, they face the prospect of their repossession order being denied when the process reaches court. As a homeowner, you can take advantage of this, both to ensure that the lender is behaving properly and to give you the time you need to take control of the situation.

To get your repossession stopped, you need to be prepared to write to, speak to and even meet your lender so that you can explain your current circumstances and ask for some compromise on their part:

• Look at your finances – many people think they have their money under control – even when they are receiving letters demanding payment. In reality, the first letter you receive should prompt you to take a look at your finances – how much is coming into your home and how much you are spending. Cut up your credit cards if necessary, to stop any over-spending. This will give you an idea of how much you can afford to give your lender to get your repossession stopped.

• Get in touch – write to your lender, keeping a copy of the letter for your records. Explain why you have missed your mortgage payments, and let them know that you have looked at your spending. Tell them how much you can afford to pay and ask them to respond in writing.

• Call to negotiate – it's always worth calling to talk to someone in person. Many lenders will have a department that deals with repossessions and you should be able to find someone to talk your problems over with. Make a note of the name of the person you've talked to and get a direct number if possible so that you can talk to the same person the next time you call.

• Get advice – at any stage in your fight to get your repossession stopped, you can talk to an adviser. Whether you choose to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau or you choose a company like Discount Property Auction that can actually help you raise the money you need; independent, knowledgeable advice is vital. You should always get advice as soon as possible if you receive a court summons, and you should always answer the summons and turn up at the appointed date and time.

If you need help to take control of your repossession, contact us at Discount Property Auction. We're committed to helping you, whatever your circumstances. If you want to sell your home, you can use our dedicated online auction facility, which allows you to upload your property yourself and put it in front of genuine, interested buyers. Call us now on 0800 1313 999 or email admin@discountpropertyauction.co.uk to arrange a valuation today.