Mortgage payment support

If you're finding it difficult to make your payments and think you might miss one, we can help.

Missing a mortgage payment can affect your credit rating, and your financial options in the future, so it's really important to take action.

On this page, you'll find useful information, including our online income and expenditure form Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]. It’s easy to use and once completed, it can help us find the best solution for your needs.

Getting in touch to find out more about your options won't affect your credit score.

• options available to reduce mortgage payments
• already behind on your payments or can't make the next one
• staying safe and getting the right mortgage help
• paying your mortgage after you've retired
• independant advice on how to mange your money and debt. 

If you're worried about your payments, we may be able to help you by:

• switching your mortgage rate
• extending your mortgage term*
• temporary interest only payments
• changing the date your monthly payment is due*
• reducing or cancelling any mortgage overpayments*

*Contact our Mortgage Team on 03 456 100 103 to find out if you're eligible for any of these options. Doing so won't affect your credit rating.

We’re available 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday, and 9am-6pm Sunday.

What you need to know

If you stop making repayments, it will impact your credit score which could mean:

• you get rejected for future credit applications
• your ability to get a mortgage in the future is affected
• the credit score of anyone who is financially associated with you could be impacted (for example through a joint bank account or credit account).

If you’re going through a stressful time, please contact us as soon as possible. We’ll try to take the pressure off and make managing your account a bit easier. We’ll talk through some options that could make your payments more manageable, or give you some breathing space to get back on track with your payments.

Fill out this income and expenditure form Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] to get started. This helps us understand your financial position. Here are some income and expenditure form FAQs to help.

You can call our mortgage financial support team on 03 456 100 193. Lines are open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday, and 9am-6pm Sunday.

Please have to hand your account details and information on your finances when you contact us.

If you're struggling to pay your mortgage, you're more at risk of being targeted by firms or individuals who won't be acting in your best interests, or by criminals who may encourage you to commit fraud.

If you’re worried about paying your mortgage Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] contact us as soon as possible about the support available.

Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and you could end up worse off.

We’re aware of mortgage holders in financial difficulty who are being misled by this online misinformation, often with serious financial consequences – for more information, please read the FCA's article Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

As you get older and stop working it can become more difficult to make your mortgage repayments.

There's a lot to think about, including:

• do you have a labour-intensive job?
• do you currently have more than one job and is this likely to change?
• will you still be able to work your current hours later in life?
• will your pension income be enough to support your lifestyle and mortgage?
• could you pay your mortgage on your sole income if the joint party passed away or could no longer work?
• are you covered for unforeseen ill health?

If you're concerned by any of these. There are a few ways you could be mortgage-free sooner:

• make overpayments to your mortgage
• reduce your term
• move to a lower value property

See the impact overpaying could have on your existing mortgage by using our overpayment calculator.

If you’d like to talk to someone outside of first direct, we work closely with StepChange Debt Charity who can review your situation, offer free advice and can help to provide a solution that meets your needs.

Who are StepChange Debt Charity?

StepChange Debt Charity are a trusted partner of first direct who can help create a realistic monthly budget and offer an affordable solution towards repaying your mortgage. You’ll receive tailored mortgage advice based on your individual circumstances and get ongoing support.

• every year, StepChange Debt Charity helps thousands of people from all walks of life
• contacting StepChange Debt Charity won’t affect your credit score
• any advice and support they offer will always be in your best interest

If you're eligible and StepChange Debt Charity think it's appropriate, they can signpost you to third parties who have a range of specialist products that may be available to you, such as:

• Equity release
• Hybrid LifeTime product
• Retirement interest only mortgages
• Home reversion plan

For more information visit their website at www.stepchange.org Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you don't keep up repayments on your mortgage.