If you're a home owner with financial difficulties and you cannot afford to pay your mortgage, there are measures in place to help you stay in your home.

These include:

• independent advice – online, face-to-face or by phone with an approved money adviser
• help from the government – like the Home Owners' Support Fund
• legal aid – if you need legal advice on mortgage problems, going to court or repossession

You should speak to your lenders right away if you're finding it hard to pay loans secured against your home. Organisations that follow the Lending Code must act sympathetically and positively for their customers who are heading towards financial difficulty.

If you cannot come to an agreement with your lender, you should get independent advice about your financial situation.

Visit Scotland's Financial Health Service to search for approved money advisers in your area.