The fact that recession and unemployment problems may lead to more people falling into arrears with their mortgage repayments, doesn’t necessarily mean there’ll be more repossessions.

This is the opinion of Chris Jenkins, co-owner of the Homeowners Advice Centre which is a Charity that helps home-owners facing repossession and financial difficulty.

Unemployment, even for a short time, can lead to mortgage arrears, but if an arrangement can be made with your lender; you may be able to avoid repossession and afford your repayments. The most important point here is to get in touch with your lender as soon as you see any problems ahead, they may be able to help. This is especially important when you consider the latest figures from the Property Portfolio Rescue Distress Index. They show a 25.7% rise in the number of enquiries from financially troubled home-owners compared to this time last year.

As reasons for repossession go, becoming unemployed or ill are probably top of the list and unfortunately it’s often out of your control. So you may find it hard to believe that a repossession order was issued to a family in Nacton, Suffolk mainly due to obesity.

70 stone Paul Mason literally ate his mother out of house and home and the cost of the food led to her falling behind on her mortgage repayments which in turn led to repossession. Mason, who’s care bill has topped £1million over the last few years had an ambition to be the world’s heaviest man but this ambition has cost his family their home. Read more in the Sun newspaper.