What Happens If You Miss a Mortgage Payment? A Straightforward Guide
Missing a mortgage payment can feel terrifying — especially when your home’s involved. Maybe you forgot, maybe your income changed, or maybe a bill just slipped through the cracks. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you’re about to lose your home.
At Mortgage Bridge, we help people every day who’ve missed payments, fallen into arrears, or just need a bit of breathing space to get back on track. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what happens when you miss a payment, what you can do to fix it quickly, and how to protect your credit and your home.
What Happens Right After You Miss a Mortgage Payment?
If you miss a payment, your lender will usually contact you within a few days — often by letter, email, or phone. Don’t panic when you see their name pop up. This early contact is about understanding what’s happened, not threatening action.
At this stage, lenders want reassurance that you’ll either:
- Make the missed payment as soon as possible, or
- Agree on a plan to get back on track.
If it’s a one-off issue (like a payment failed because of a direct debit change or an unexpected expense), it’s usually easy to sort. Most lenders will simply ask you to pay the missed amount within a set time.
If you can’t pay it straight away, being open and proactive makes a big difference — lenders are much more flexible when you reach out first.
Will Missing One Mortgage Payment Affect My Credit Score?
Yes — but only if it goes unpaid for too long.
Lenders normally report late or missed payments to credit agencies after 30 days, not immediately. So if you realise quickly and make the payment within a couple of weeks, your credit file may not show anything at all.
If the payment remains outstanding past 30 days, it’ll likely appear as a missed payment on your credit report. That can cause your credit score to drop, though the impact is smaller if it’s just a one-off.
The good news is, you can rebuild your credit quickly once the issue’s resolved — and lenders appreciate honesty and consistency more than perfection.
What If I Miss More Than One Mortgage Payment?
If you miss two or more consecutive payments, your account will be considered in arrears.
At this point, your lender must follow official arrears procedures set out by the regulator. That means they’ll contact you to:
- Explain how much you owe.
- Ask about your circumstances.
- Work with you to find a realistic repayment plan.
They might also temporarily report your account as being “in arrears” to credit agencies, which can make future borrowing more difficult. But even here, there’s still plenty of time to put things right — repossession is always a last resort.
Can I Lose My Home If I Miss a Mortgage Payment?
It’s very rare for a lender to repossess a home after just one or two missed payments.
Repossession only happens after several months of non-payment and only when all other options have failed. Before that point, lenders are legally required to try to help you find a solution — whether that’s a short-term payment plan, a reduced instalment period, or other support.
If you stay in contact and make a reasonable effort to get back on track, your lender will almost always work with you, not against you.
At Mortgage Bridge, we’ve seen countless clients turn things around before any serious action was taken. Communication and honesty are everything.
What Should I Do If I Realise I’ve Missed a Payment?
Here’s what we recommend doing straight away:
- Check your bank account – Make sure the payment didn’t go through by accident or wasn’t delayed.
- Contact your lender – Explain what’s happened and when you can make the payment.
- Don’t ignore letters or calls – Avoiding communication only makes things worse.
- Ask about short-term solutions – Some lenders can offer a payment holiday or reduced payments for a limited time.
- Review your budget – Look for ways to temporarily free up funds to cover your mortgage.
Acting quickly shows responsibility, and lenders are much more understanding when they see that you’re trying to sort things out.
What Support Is Available If You Can’t Afford Your Mortgage?
If you’re struggling to make payments, you’ve got more options than you might think.
Depending on your circumstances, your lender might agree to:
- Reduce payments for a short time.
- Extend your mortgage term to lower monthly costs.
- Switch you to interest-only payments temporarily.
- Pause payments through a short-term payment holiday.
Each of these options has pros and cons, so it’s worth getting advice first.
We’ll happily talk through what might work best for your situation and liaise with your lender if needed — especially if your income or personal situation has changed.
What If I’ve Missed Payments Because of Illness, Job Loss, or Divorce?
Lenders understand that life happens. Illness, redundancy, or relationship breakdowns are common causes of missed payments — and lenders are trained to handle these situations sensitively.
You may be asked to provide evidence (like redundancy paperwork or medical documentation), but this is simply to help them understand your position and offer suitable support.
If your income drop is long-term, we can explore whether remortgaging or switching products could make your payments more manageable.
How Far Behind Can I Get Before the Lender Takes Action?
Each lender is different, but generally:
- After 1 missed payment, they’ll contact you to check what happened.
- After 2–3 missed payments, your account will be in arrears, and you’ll receive formal letters outlining options.
- After 6+ months of non-payment, if no arrangement is made, the lender may begin court proceedings — but that’s rare and only a last resort.
Even if your situation feels dire, it’s almost never too late to work something out. Lenders are far more interested in finding a solution than repossessing your home.
How Do Missed Payments Affect My Future Mortgage Options?
A single missed payment, especially one quickly resolved, usually has minimal long-term impact.
Multiple missed payments or arrears, however, can make things trickier — particularly if they’re recent. Most lenders want to see at least 12 months of clean payments before offering a new mortgage or remortgage.
That said, there are specialist lenders who deal specifically with applicants who’ve had missed or late mortgage payments. We work with them regularly at Mortgage Bridge, and they can often help when high-street banks won’t.
Can I Remortgage If I’ve Missed a Payment?
Yes, it’s possible — though timing matters.
If the missed payment happened recently, some lenders might see it as a red flag. But if you’ve since caught up and maintained consistent payments, there are plenty of options available.
We often help clients remortgage to lower their monthly payments, freeing up breathing space and helping prevent future issues.
What Happens If I Keep Missing Payments and Fall into Arrears?
If you fall into longer-term arrears (usually 3+ missed payments), your lender may:
- Issue a formal arrears notice explaining the amount owed.
- Ask to set up a repayment arrangement.
- Refer your case to a specialist team to discuss options.
Only if all else fails will they consider legal action, and even then, the court will usually allow more time to catch up if you can prove affordability.
Remember — lenders don’t want your home. They want your mortgage repaid. Showing a clear plan and willingness to cooperate can make all the difference.
How Can I Prevent Missing Payments in the Future?
A few simple steps can help you stay ahead:
- Set up automatic payments – Direct debits reduce the risk of missing a due date.
- Build a small emergency fund – Even a few hundred pounds can help cover a missed month.
- Review your mortgage regularly – Remortgaging could lower your payments if rates or circumstances change.
- Track your spending – Apps and budgeting tools make it easier to spot potential issues early.
- Speak up early – If you think you might miss a payment, tell your lender in advance — they’re far more flexible before it happens.
What Should I Avoid Doing If I Miss a Payment?
Here’s what not to do:
- Don’t ignore the problem. Silence makes lenders nervous and reduces your options.
- Don’t take out short-term loans to cover mortgage payments — they often cause more debt later.
- Don’t move lenders immediately without checking if your credit has been affected.
- Don’t panic. You have time, options, and support.
We know how stressful it feels, but with the right advice, it’s always fixable.
Final Thoughts: A Missed Payment Isn’t the End of the Road
Missing a mortgage payment can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to spiral into something bigger. The key is communication, honesty, and getting help early.
At Mortgage Bridge, we’ve helped many clients who thought they were “too far gone” — and turned things around completely. Whether it’s arranging a payment plan, finding a more manageable mortgage, or helping you rebuild your credit, we’re here to guide you through it all.
If you’ve missed a mortgage payment or you’re worried you might, let’s talk it through together. We’ll help you understand your options, speak to your lender if needed, and make a plan that helps you move forward with confidence.