Where to find helppublished at 10:33 GMT
If you have been affected by this story or would like support then you can find organisations which offer help and information at the BBC Action Line.
Summary
We're reporting from six county courts across England to tell the stories of people who face losing their homes to repossession, which reached a five-year high in 2024-25
One renter facing eviction loses her "last chance" to stop her council property being repossessed at a court in Norwich
In east London, one woman cries as she loses a home she left 15 years ago, shared with her estranged husband - it's one of three repossessed in under an hour
A representative for the banking industry says seeking to repossess a home is "always a last resort" for lenders, while one solicitor says private landlords cannot subsidise people living in their houses for free
Are you facing losing your home? Send us your stories and questions and access support via BBC Action Line
Where to find helppublished at 10:33 GMT
'I don’t know how this works. I'm scared'published at 10:26 GMT
Gabriela Pomeroy
Reporting from Stratford Magistrates' CourtIn a fluorescent-lit waiting room at the housing court in Stratford Magistrates' Court in east London, I've been speaking to a woman who tells me she has been called in today to learn whether the three-bedroom house she owns with her ex-partner is going to be repossessed.
The woman, who we are not naming like others we are meeting today, says she "got a letter telling me to come today".
She says she has not lived in the house for many years and has been living in a homeless hostel for several months.
She lost her job as a shop assistant several years ago and she has a disability, she says. Her situation is complicated.
"I've never been to court in my life," she tells me. "I don’t know how this works. I'm scared."
Croydon County Court is quiet - for nowpublished at 10:13 GMT
Stephen Menon
Reporting from Croydon County and Family CourtTucked just around the corner from East Croydon train station, Croydon County and Family Court strikes an imposing figure among the flurries of snow and rain.
After a brief security search at the door and a quick climb to the second floor, I'm in the waiting area for the court.
The ushers are bright and friendly, checking in legal representatives and members of the public alike, as more and more people file into the waiting room.
Today is another busy day, with more than 30 rent possession cases to be heard by the deputy district judge.
The waiting area for the court is quiet, for now. I'll be updating you as it gets busier throughout the day.
Nine repossession cases listed at Stratford Housing Centrepublished at 10:01 GMT
Charlotte Rose
Reporting from Stratford Magistrates' CourtStratford Housing Centre is one of the few dedicated courts in the country that hears only housing related cases.
Tucked right at the back of Stratford Magistrates' Court, an impressive art deco building in east London, the busy waiting room could be mistaken for a dentist or GP surgery.
This morning there are four mortgage repossession cases listed to be heard by Judge Lightman, and this afternoon five rental repossession cases.
I will be bringing you updates from here throughout the day.
Busy day ahead at Norwich County Courtpublished at 09:54 GMT
Matt Precey
Reporting from Norwich County CourtNine possession cases are before Judge Tim Earl at Norwich County Court today.
Two relate to mortgage claims and the rest are for rent.
The applicants are a combination of housing associations, private landlords and mortgage companies.
Proceedings start at 10:00 GMT.
What is a repossession?published at 09:50 GMT
There are two main types in the county courts: mortgage repossessions and rental repossessions.
The first is when homeowners have fallen behind on their mortgage repayments and the bank is seeking remedy by taking ownership of the property.
Rental repossessions are when landlords apply to the court to evict tenants and take back their property.
'I'm alive and I carry on'published at 09:42 GMT
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Image caption, In the same month he handed over his keys to the bailiffs, the BBC saw a similar three-bedroom property in the same Thetford street as Mr Da Costa Diogo's on the market
As we mentioned in an earlier post, we spoke to Jose who had his Norfolk home repossessed.
After this happened, Jose was given emergency accommodation in a small ground-floor studio in north Suffolk.
"I left my house with one suitcase and a bag of essentials and told the council 'I'm homeless'," he said.
"It's a roof over my head. I'm trying to keep things simple because what is the point of complicating things?
"I'm alive and I carry on."
In the same month he handed over his keys to the bailiffs, the BBC saw a similar three-bedroom property in the same Thetford street as Mr Da Costa Diogo's on the market for £160,000 - almost double the amount he owed.
Who are we sending?published at 09:35 GMT
We're sending our reporters to these courts:
Northampton: Jon Ironmonger
Peterborough: Phil Shepka
Norwich: Matt Precey
London Stratford Housing Centre: Charlotte Rose and Gabriela Pomeroy
Wandsworth: Jessica Ure
Croydon: Stephen Menon
Send us your questionspublished at 09:33 GMT
Are you facing losing your home? If you would like to share your story or have any questions, you can get in touch in the following ways:
- BBC Your Voice: bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk
- WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
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- Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.
'I worked, I paid taxes - then the bank took my home'published at 09:25 GMT
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
We spoke to 65-year-old Jose Da Costa Diogo who had his home repossessed earlier this year.
Jose took out an interest-only mortgage on a three-bedroom house in Thetford, Norfolk, more than 20 years ago. He and his then wife hoped they would be able to save up enough to eventually cover the capital sum.
But the couple divorced and Jose suffered a work-place injury which has left him disabled and unable to work.
He was left unable to pay the £80,000 owed to the bank.
And because his ex-wife was still on both the mortgage documents and the property deeds, he couldn't sell the property to cover the outstanding amount.
"I tried to do the right thing and carried on paying all the bills.
"After 25 years, I have nothing to show," he says.
How high are current repossession levels?published at 09:08 GMT
There were 10,853 mortgage repossession orders in English and Welsh courts in 2024-25 - the highest number in five years.
Experts say the rise is down to a variety of factors including interest rate increases and the rise in the general cost of living.
The number of people seeking help from English councils for homelessness as a result of repossession has also doubled in three years, BBC research finds
However, the number of repossessions is still low compared with levels in the 1990s and in the wake of the 2007-08 financial crash, a global crisis triggered by the collapse of the US housing market.
Stories from the courts as repossessions risepublished at 09:05 GMT
Laurence Cawley
BBC NewsGood morning and welcome to our live coverage.
Today we're dispatching journalists to six county courts to tell the stories of people facing the prospect of losing their homes to repossession.
We're doing this after the BBC's investigations team obtained data showing mortgage repossession orders in England and Wales reached 10,853 in 2024-5 , external– the highest number in five years.
We'll be looking at the issue from all angles – from those who face losing their homes, to lenders seeking money owed and the legal advisers trying to help those facing repossession.
So stay with us as we take you through the stories of the day.