The importance of the adviser role when helping people in housing debt

Levels of personal debt have grown significantly in the last number of years and consequently debt problems have become an increasingly large area of work for many advisers. The recession has exacerbated these problems for many people. Where a client’s debts include a housing element such as rent or mortgage arrears they risk losing their home if these debts are not addressed. 

Housing debt (and other debts) can accrue for many reasons, particularly where there is a change of circumstances such as unemployment, redundancy, loss of overtime, or a relationship breakdown. Clients in debt risk losing their home unless they can find a solution to their financial difficulties. 

The role of the adviser in helping clients in debt stay in their home

The adviser’s function is to help the client to take stock of his/her financial situation and negotiate financial agreements between the debtor and his/her creditors. They also need to ensure that individuals and families do not become homeless as a result of their housing debt. 

Successful housing debt advice depends very much upon the relationship of trust and honesty between client and adviser, the knowledge and experience of the adviser in assessing the debtor’s circumstances and the range of options available to them. The adviser plays an essential role in negotiating with creditors, lenders and landlords and assisting the client in reaching a positive long term outcome.

Housing Rights accredited housing debt course

Housing Rights have a 1 day accredited course running on the 24 August (Belfast) and 25 August (Derry/Londonderry) that will consider the important role that can be played by an adviser in dealing with housing debt, beginning with the initial contact and interviews, information gathering and financial assessment.

The course will specifically focus on how an adviser can assist those in mortgage or rent arrears to reach agreement with creditors and on the court options available to creditors where these agreements fail.

The course costs from £72 for members of Housing Rights and £90 for non members. You can book online or email [email protected].