If you've missed a mortgage payment, there are steps you can take to minimise the impact on your finances and credit record. Read on to find out what you can do today.

If you need debt advice, you can speak to charities like StepChange, National Debtline, and Citizens Advice free of charge.

What happens if you miss a mortgage payment?

If you miss your mortgage payment, you should speak to your lender as soon as possible. It's important to understand that your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage, so speaking with your lender and agreeing on a plan to repay what you owe is key.

If you miss a mortgage payment, the lender may report it to the credit reference agencies (such as Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), which could cause your credit score to drop. The exact timing of when a missed payment is reported depends on the lender's own policy, so it's worth asking them directly if you're unsure.

Depending on your mortgage agreement, the lender might also add a late fee on top of the missed payment. This fee varies between lenders, so check your mortgage terms or contact your lender to find out what charges may apply.

If you miss the next payment as well as any late fee, your mortgage account is likely to fall further into arrears. At this point, the lender may begin contacting you more formally about the outstanding balance.

If arrears continue to build, the lender may take formal recovery steps under its mortgage arrears process. Under FCA rules, lenders must treat borrowers fairly and consider all other options before pursuing repossession.

Repossession and court action should be a last resort. You should be able to speak to your lender and agree on a repayment plan, or seek free financial advice from a charity like Citizens Advice, StepChange, or National Debtline.

What should you do if you can't make your mortgage payments?

If you're worried about missing or late mortgage payments, there are practical steps you can take straight away.

Contact your lender

If you've missed a payment, or you think you might miss one soon, contacting your lender is a good first step. Getting the money back from you is in the lender's interest, so they may be willing to talk you through your options. These could include a temporary repayment plan, a short-term payment reduction, switching to interest-only payments for a period, or extending the length of your mortgage term to bring down monthly costs. Each option has different implications, so make sure you understand how any change could affect your total balance and the interest you pay over time.

Reach out to a charity for help

There are several charities set up specifically to advise people who are struggling with debt. They can work with you to find a way to get your mortgage back on track. If you need financial guidance, you can speak to dedicated charities like National Debtline (0808 808 4000) and StepChange (0800 138 1111) and ask one of their experts for support. You can also reach out to Citizens Advice, who offer free, confidential advice online, by phone, or in person at your local bureau.

Where can you get help for missed mortgage payments?

There are charities that can give you free financial advice about your mortgage or other loans. Here are some of the main organisations that can help:

• Citizens Advice offers free, independent advice on debt, housing, and benefits. You can visit their website, call their helpline, or attend a local office.

• StepChange is a specialist debt charity that can help you create a personalised debt management plan and negotiate with your lender on your behalf.

• National Debtline provides free, confidential debt advice over the phone and online, with a range of self-help tools and fact sheets.

• MoneyHelper (backed by the Money and Pensions Service) offers free, impartial guidance on mortgages, debt, and budgeting.

How many missed mortgage payments before repossession?

There is no fixed number of missed payments that automatically triggers repossession. However, lenders may begin to consider formal action if you have missed around three months of payments or more and have not engaged with any forbearance options they've offered.

Repossession is always treated as a last resort. Under FCA guidelines, lenders are required to explore all reasonable alternatives before seeking a possession order. This means they should have already tried to work with you, offered forbearance options, and referred you to independent debt advice.

That's why it's so important to speak with your lender, or a debt charity, as early as possible to make sure you've explored every available option before the situation escalates.

Mortgage arrears timeline: from missed payment to possession order

Understanding how many mortgage payments you can miss before repossession - and what happens at each stage - can help you take action before the situation escalates. While there is no single rule that applies to every lender, the process in England and Wales broadly follows a predictable timeline governed by FCA rules and court protocols.

Month 1-2: initial arrears and lender contact

After your first missed payment, your lender will usually contact you by letter, email, or phone to let you know your account is in arrears. At this stage, the focus is on understanding why you've missed the payment and whether it's a temporary problem. You may be offered informal options such as a short-term repayment arrangement or a brief payment reduction. If you miss a second consecutive payment, your lender is likely to step up communication and may begin to send more formal correspondence about the growing balance.

Month 3+: formal arrears notices and forbearance options

If arrears continue to build - typically around three or more missed payments - your lender must issue formal arrears notices. Under FCA guidelines, the lender is required to provide you with clear information about the amount owed, any charges applied, and the consequences of continued non-payment. At this point, your lender should also offer forbearance measures. These could include switching temporarily to interest-only payments, extending your mortgage term, or agreeing a formal repayment plan to clear the arrears over time. The lender must also signpost you to free independent debt advice from organisations like StepChange, National Debtline, or Citizens Advice.

Pre-action protocol: what your lender must do before going to court

Before a lender can apply to the court for a possession order, they must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims Based on Mortgage Arrears. This means the lender must demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to reach an agreement with you, considered all available forbearance options, and given you adequate time to seek independent advice. If the lender has not followed these steps, a judge may adjourn or dismiss the possession claim.

Court possession process: what to expect and your rights

If the lender does apply for possession, you will receive a court summons and a hearing date. At the hearing, a district judge will review the case, including whether the lender followed the correct process and whether you have a realistic proposal to repay the arrears. The court can grant an outright possession order, a suspended possession order (which allows you to stay in your home as long as you keep to an agreed repayment plan), or adjourn the case entirely. Even at this late stage, you have the right to attend, present your circumstances, and propose a repayment arrangement. Free legal advice is often available at the court through duty solicitor schemes or housing charity representatives.

Throughout every stage of this process, it's worth remembering that repossession is always a last resort. Engaging early - either with your lender or a free debt charity - gives you the best chance of keeping your home and reaching a manageable solution.

Will missed mortgage payments affect your credit report?

Missed payments can remain on your credit report for up to six years, and the timing of when they appear depends on the lender. Once a late or missed payment marker is recorded on your credit report, your credit score is likely to drop.

A lower credit score may make it more difficult for you to get other types of credit, such as a credit card or personal loan. It's generally best to focus on rebuilding your score before applying for new credit, as multiple applications on a lower score could result in further rejections and additional marks on your report.

If you pay quickly after missing a payment, the lender may still choose not to report a missed-payment marker. However, this depends entirely on the lender's own reporting practices, so there's no guarantee. The sooner you make the payment, the better your chances.

How does a missed mortgage payment affect your credit score and report?

How much can one missed mortgage payment lower your credit score?

The exact number of points your credit score drops after a missed mortgage payment depends on your overall credit profile and which scoring model is used. However, a single missed payment can cause a noticeable decline, and in some cases may be enough to move you into a lower score band. If your score was in the Soaring high band (725+) before the missed payment, the drop may feel more pronounced because there is further to fall. Borrowers who already have other negative markers on their report may see a smaller additional change, though their starting position is already weaker.

Does a missed mortgage payment affect your score more than a missed credit card payment?

Credit reference agencies do not publicly confirm that one type of missed payment is weighted more heavily than another. In practice, a mortgage is typically the largest financial commitment on your credit report, so lenders reviewing your report may view a missed mortgage payment as a more serious sign of financial difficulty than a missed credit card payment. Both will leave a negative marker, but a mortgage arrears record can carry more weight in future lending decisions - particularly when you apply for another mortgage.

How long does a missed mortgage payment stay on your credit report?

A missed mortgage payment stays on your credit report for six years from the date it was recorded. During that time, any lender who checks your report will be able to see it. The impact on your score does lessen over time, especially if you maintain a clean payment record going forward. After six years, the marker is automatically removed.

Can you remove a missed mortgage payment from your credit report?

If the missed payment was recorded in error - for example, you paid on time but a processing issue caused a delay - you can raise a dispute with the credit reference agency and ask your lender to correct the record. If the missed payment was genuinely late, it generally cannot be removed early. You can, however, add a "notice of correction" to your credit report to explain the circumstances, which future lenders will see when they review your report.

Do mortgages have a grace period?

Some lenders may allow a short window before treating a payment as officially missed, but this depends on the specific mortgage terms and the lender's own policies. Not all lenders offer a grace period, so it's important to check your mortgage agreement or ask your lender directly.

A grace period is a set amount of time after your payment due date during which you won't be penalised for paying late. If you realise you've missed your mortgage payment but pay within the grace period, your lender typically won't charge you a late fee. However, it's worth noting that interest may still accrue during this time, and a grace period does not mean the payment can be skipped altogether.

What happens if you missed a mortgage payment by one day?

If you accidentally missed your mortgage payment by one day, serious consequences are less common at this stage - but the outcome depends on your lender and mortgage terms, so it's important to act quickly. In most cases, a payment that is just one day late is not treated the same way as a fully missed monthly payment, though the exact outcome depends on your lender and your mortgage terms.

Is a one-day-late payment treated the same as a fully missed payment?

Generally, no. Most UK mortgage lenders distinguish between a payment that arrives a day or two late and one that remains unpaid for a full month or longer. If your payment is only one day late, your lender is unlikely to charge a late fee or take any formal action, particularly if it's a one-off occurrence. However, interest continues to accrue on your outstanding balance for every day the payment is overdue, so even a short delay can marginally increase what you owe.

Will a payment that's one day late show on your credit report?

A mortgage payment that is one day late is very unlikely to appear as a missed payment on your credit report. Lenders typically report missed payments to the credit reference agencies only after a payment is at least 30 days overdue. That said, each lender sets its own reporting schedule, so if you're concerned, contact your lender to confirm their policy.

What to do if you accidentally missed your mortgage payment

If you realise your mortgage payment bounced or didn't go through on time, make the payment as soon as you can. Contact your lender to let them know it was an oversight and confirm that the payment has been received. Keeping a record of when you made the payment can be helpful if any dispute arises later.

How to prevent accidental late payments

Failed direct debits and bank processing delays are the most common reasons for an accidental late payment. To reduce the risk, make sure there are always sufficient funds in your account a day or two before your payment date. If your salary arrives on the same day your mortgage leaves, consider asking your lender to move your payment date to a day or two later. Setting up a calendar reminder a few days before each due date gives you time to check your balance and transfer money if needed.

Can you stop your mortgage payments?

Your lender may offer a payment holiday in some circumstances, subject to its policy and affordability checks. Whether you're eligible will depend on the lender, their processes, and your own financial circumstances.

It's important to understand that during a payment holiday, interest will continue to be applied to your outstanding balance. This means you could end up paying more overall when you resume your regular payments, as the interest that built up during the holiday is added to the total amount you owe. Make sure you understand the full cost before agreeing to a payment holiday, and ask your lender for a clear breakdown of how it will affect your remaining payments.

How to recover from a late mortgage payment

Late or missed payments stay on your credit report for up to six years and may cause your credit score to drop. But there are things you can do to help your score improve again over time:

• Pay on time and in full - Once you've worked out the next steps with your lender, try to pay all your bills on time and in full going forward. If you have a credit card, car finance, or another loan, keep a close eye on due dates and set up direct debits where possible to avoid accidentally missing a payment.

• Try to lower your credit utilisation - Credit utilisation refers to how much of your available credit you're currently using. Keeping your utilisation low and paying back what you borrow on time builds a positive track record, which lenders look at when deciding whether to offer you credit in the future. It's generally recommended that you use less than 30% of your available credit limit.

• Check your credit report regularly - Reviewing your credit report helps you spot errors and track your progress as your score recovers. With ClearScore, you can check your Equifax credit report and score for free, as often as you like - checking won't affect your score, as it's a soft search only visible to you.

Learn more

How to help improve your credit score

Can you get a new mortgage with late or missed mortgage payments?

It may still be possible to get a new mortgage if you have a few missed or late payments on your credit report from a previous one, though your options could be more limited.

Lenders will usually look at the number of missed or late payments, how long ago they occurred, and the overall picture of your finances - including your income, existing borrowing, and whether repayments are affordable. Because every mortgage application depends on individual circumstances, speaking to a mortgage adviser or directly to the lender could help you understand your options and which products you may be eligible for. Some specialist lenders cater specifically to borrowers with adverse credit history, though these mortgages may come with higher interest rates.

How to avoid missing mortgage payments

A mortgage is a big commitment, so planning ahead is key to staying on top of your payments. Here are a few things you can do to avoid missing mortgage payments in the future:

• Set reminders - Adding a recurring reminder to your calendar can help you keep track of what payments are due and when. Setting an alarm to go off a day or two before the due date also gives you time to move money between your accounts if needed.

• Use automatic payments - Setting up a direct debit for your mortgage payment gives you peace of mind, because you'll know the money is coming out of your account on time without having to manually transfer it each month. Just make sure there are always enough funds in the account to cover the payment.

• Budget for the unexpected - Building a small emergency fund, even a modest one, can help cover your mortgage if your income drops unexpectedly. Aim to set aside enough to cover at least one month's mortgage payment as a safety net.

• Look for help if you need it - If you're struggling or worried about future payments, don't wait until you've missed one. Reach out to your lender or a free debt charity as early as possible for guidance.

Related topics:

• What happens if you can't pay your credit card?

• What happens if you miss a credit card payment?

• What happens if you miss a payment on a loan?

• What happens if you miss a mortgage payment?

• What happens if you can't pay your personal loan

Mortgage late payment fees: what to expect

When you miss a mortgage payment, your lender may apply a late fee on top of the amount you already owe. The size of the mortgage late payment fee and how it's calculated varies between lenders. Some charge a flat administrative fee, while others apply a percentage of the overdue amount. Below is a general guide to how different types of UK lenders typically handle late fees.

Are late fees added to your mortgage balance?

In most cases, yes. If a late fee is not paid separately, the lender will add it to your outstanding mortgage balance. This means interest may be charged on the fee itself, slightly increasing the total cost of your mortgage over time. Check your mortgage agreement for details on how your lender handles unpaid charges, and if you're unsure, ask them directly.