January 2014

Advising homeowners who Are at risk of losing their home due to arrears on secured loans is a complex area. With this in mind, it’s essential that you’re aware of the very particular problems that can arise when your client has a second charge on their property. 

Advisers and clients alike need to be aware that when a borrower defaults on payment of a secured loan or a second charge the lender may be entitled to:

Fiona King is senior policy officer at Shelter Scotland and works on policy and legislation around homelessness, social housing, welfare and poverty based in the Edinburgh office.  Here, Fiona looks at the Housing Options model of homelessness advice, assistance and prevention and what this means in the Scottish context. 

Members of the European Parliament have overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for a European wide homelessness strategy. The resolution describes homelessness as “a violation of human dignity and of human rights” and recognises housing as a “basic human need and a precondition for a decent life and social inclusion”.

Over the last number of years, as a result of the economic downturn, there has been an increase in the number of possession proceedings against homeowners and social tenants who have fallen behind in paying their mortgage or rent.