Repossessions by social landlords up by 18% says CAB

Local charity, Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau, is reporting that there has been an 18% increase in the number of repossession cases listed at Exeter County Court by social landlords.

Where a CAB adviser has assisted clients facing repossession, the clients have avoided repossession in over 80% of cases.

Exeter City Council has provided financial support for this essential service.

Steve Barriball, Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau Chief Executive, said: “We have at least one adviser present at the Court each Tuesday morning to advise and advocate for clients. In 2012/13, there were 903 cases listed for repossession, an increase of 2%. However, the cases taken by housing associations and local authorities were up by a combined figure of 18%. There was an average of around 18 cases listed across all housing sectors each week.”  

Steve explained: “Low interest rates have helped some people with mortgages. However, these figures suggest that for families living in housing association and local authority properties factors such as the increasing cost of living and increases in energy costs are hitting household budgets.

"Changes to Council Tax benefit and the so called ‘bedroom tax’, as well as other changes to the welfare system that are yet to come into force, are likely to hit these low income households the hardest.

“I am grateful to the workforce of the Bureau for providing this essential service to people facing repossession. We are also grateful to Exeter City Council for funding this service”.