More assistance is needed for homeowners in financial difficulty, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

Jackie Bennett, head of policy at the industry body, argues that the government does little to help property owners when they are faced with a debt problem.

"The safety net for homeowners is still too patchy and piecemeal to be effective," the CML spokesperson states.

"While the idea of a compulsory insurance scheme might seem superficially attractive, it would not deal with the range of uninsurable risks that people face."

The CML adds that tenants in rented accommodation typically receive more help than the owners of property.

For those facing difficulty in managing their finances, a homeowner loan could be the solution, even if a mortgage is already secured against the house.

Known as a second charge, a loan may be taken out to provide additional funds with a fixed repayment period.

Figures from Credit Action show that a greater number of Britons are turning to homeowner loans, with a 10.8 per cent increase in lending secured against property in the 12 months to August 2007.ADNFCR-1287-ID-18319506-ADNFCR

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