Keeping up with your mortgage payments should be your top financial priority. If your home is repossessed and you are evicted because of payment problems, you could become homeless.

If you have problems paying your mortgage, it may be possible to reduce your monthly payments. This could make your mortgage more affordable and help you to keep your home.

If you have problems paying your mortgage, you may be able to rent out a spare room in your home, or move out altogether and let your whole home. It's important that you get permission from your lender first, and that you understand your responsibilities as a landlord.

If you are claiming benefits, you may be entitled to support for mortgage interest (SMI) to help pay the interest. SMI can also pay for the interest on loans you have taken out for repairs or improvements.

If you have a joint mortgage with someone else, you are all equally liable for keeping up the repayments, even if someone moves out. The lender can pursue any one of you for the money if someone fails to pay.

If you have problems paying your mortgage, you may decide to sell your home. However, it's important to keep paying as much of your mortgage as you can until you have sold it. This page explains your options.

If you can't pay your mortgage, you may want to leave and give your keys to your lender. This is called voluntary repossession or voluntary surrender. Your lender may suggest this if you are unlikely to be able to pay off what you owe, but it should only ever be a last resort.

If you have mortgage arrears and other debts, for example, a credit card debt, you may be able to apply for a debt payment programme under the debt arrangement scheme. This would give you time to pay off your debts at a rate that is affordable to you.

Some councils, housing associations and lenders offer mortgage rescue schemes, which allow you to continue living in your home as a tenant if you can no longer pay your mortgage. Think carefully before signing up, some schemes are effective and could help you to keep your home, others may increase your debts.

If you are in danger of having your home repossessed, a mortgage to rent scheme could allow you to remain in your home as a tenant. This page explains how mortgage to rent schemes work and who is eligible to apply.

Mortgage to shared equity (MSE) is a new scheme introduced by the Scottish Government as part of the Home Owners' Support Fund. The scheme allows home owners who can no longer afford their mortgages and who have at least 25 per cent equity in their property to reduce their level of secured debt while retaining a stake in the home.

If you owe someone money, they may be able to take out an inhibition against you, which will stop you from selling or transferring ownership of your home or taking out any further secured loans on your home.

If you have ever built up mortgage arrears, it's probable that your lender has charged you 'arrears fees'. If so, these fees may be penalties or 'unfair' charges and you may be able to get your money refunded for free.