Rise in landlord repossessions

Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau says there has been a 14 per cent increase in the number of repossession cases listed at Exeter County Court by landlords, excluding mortgages.

However, where a CAB adviser has assisted clients facing repossession, the clients have avoided repossession in over 85% of cases.

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 the last quarter, there were 220 cases listed for repossession, an increase of 3.2% on last year. However, the cases taken by landlords were up by a combined figure of 14%. There was an average of around 17 cases listed across all housing sectors each week.”  

“Low interest rates have helped some people with mortgages. However, these figures suggest that for families living in rental properties factors such as the increasing cost of living and increases in energy costs, coupled with a lack of affordable housing, are hitting household budgets. Changes to Council Tax benefit and the so called ‘bedroom tax’, as well as other changes to the welfare system, are hitting 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”.

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

For more information, contact https://www.exetercab.org.uk