Eviction threat to North Lincs homeowners

THE credit crunch is biting hard in North Lincolnshire with record numbers of people facing repossession of their homes.

The number of people threatened with eviction has soared by more than 30 per cent over the past year.

In many cases going before the courts mortgage repayments have not been made for three months or more.

The figure for mortgage arrears has risen by a reported 28 per cent, compared to the same time last year.

At the same time, possession actions by landlords have risen by a staggering 61 per cent during the same period.

Mary-Ann McElhinney, the manager of the Scunthorpe County Court, confirmed mortgage possession claims were at a record level.

"We have had to extend the weekly hearings on Mondays from a half-day to a full day and it shows no signs of easing up", she said.

No figures are available to indicate how many of the 319 properties have been repossessed.

And John Burnett, the debt counsellor for North Lincolnshire Citizen's Advice Bureau said: "The average debt in mortgage arrears is around £2,000 per person."

"And it's not just first-time mortgagees. Often they are second or third charges."

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