Home loss anguish for 2,000 in region

A total of 2,000 people across the Black Country and Staffordshire faced losing their home this spring after being taken to court by their mortgage lender or landlord, the Express & Star can reveal today.

Latest Government figures show how many possession claims were applied for and granted in county courts in the West Midlands in April, May and June. Residents in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell struggled the most, with 900 court proceedings against them in total.

Housing minister Ian Austin described every re-possession as a tragedy for the family concerned.

"In previous recessions no help was provided whilst people lost their homes. This time, we're doing everything we can to prevent families from going through the trauma of home repossession.

"More than 200,000 families each month are getting help with their mortgage payments or getting free Government-funded advice from their local council.

Mr Austin, MP for Dudley North, added: "Under the new rules, lenders can only repossess homes as a last resort, so it's really important that anyone struggling to make mortgage payments seeks immediate help."

In Sandwell, mortgage lenders issued 190 possession claims, leading to 170 court orders. A total of 160 claims and 105 orders were made in Walsall and 155 claims and 120 orders in Dudley.

In Wolverhampton, mortgage lenders made 135 possession claims, leading to 70 court orders. Staffordshire saw 400 possession claims and 310 court orders.

Hundreds of landlords were also forced to pursue their tenants through the courts from April to June. A total of 290 possessions claims were issued by landlords in Staffordshire, leading to 250 court orders.

Wolverhampton had the highest number of landlord possession claims with 230, of which 145 resulted in court orders.

There were 210 landlord possession claims and 135 orders in Sandwell; 145 claims and 135 orders in Walsall; and 90 court orders were granted in Dudley.