Home reposession figures put Basildon top of list (From Echo)

Home reposession figures put Basildon top of list

7:00pm Friday 24th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

MORE people in Basildon lost their homes last year than anywhere else in the East of England, figures have revealed.

The annual number of court actions for mortgage repossession in the district doubled over four years – from 612 in 2004, to 1,198 in 2008 official Ministry of Justice figures show.

Colchester had the second highest number, last year, with 1,009 recorded repossessions for 2008, up from 385 in 2004.

Southend’s figure was much lower, with 760 repossession actions in 2008, while in Chelmsford just 484 homes were taken back by lenders.

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said the fact Basildon was the region’s most populous district partly explained the figure.

But he added: “Just walking around the district, I can see there have been more repossessions.

“Behind every door is a sad story. It proves how deep this recession has been.

“But we have put measures in place to try and help.

“People mustn’t bury their heads in the sand. I would say there is help out there, so contact the council and let’s see if we can get through this recession.

“Recessions are only temporary. People must remember that.”

l Have you and your family had your home repossessed in the past year? Call our reporter, Paul Offord, on 01268 469308.