Who can apply to Home SOS?

You don’t need to be behind on your mortgage or rent payments but you must be struggling to make ends meet.

• You need to show you’ve got money troubles. For example, you’ve lost your job or had your hours cut.

• You need to show you’ve looked at ways to try and sort out your money troubles and that Home SOS is your last resort. For example, you’ve tried changing your mortgage to make the payments smaller, applied for housing benefit on your rent, looked into selling your home and buying or renting a smaller place.

• If we’re buying back a share you’re still going to part-own your home, you’ll need to afford the cost of any repairs or maintenance. You might be able to claim housing benefit to cover some of your service charges, but you must have the money to keep your home in good repair.

• You need to show you’ve had independent advice from a debt counsellor. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau or National Debtline can help.

• You need to show you’ve been willing to pay your mortgage and rent and you’ve stayed in touch with us and your mortgage lender in the last six months. The sooner you let us know you’ve got money troubles, the sooner we can help you hold on to your home.