Speak to your lender right away if you cannot repay the capital sum that you owe.

You can ask them to work with you on a repayment plan.

Your lender cannot ask for the money back until your mortgage term ends.

Get financial advice

A financial adviser can help talk you through your options.

Have a money plan

There may be ways you can repay the money you borrowed.

It's a good idea to look into:

• if friends or family could help

• how much your home is worth now and how much of it you have paid off

• if you can reduce your spending and other debt repayments

• selling your home and moving into a smaller property

• investments or pensions that will pay out before your mortgage ends

• other money coming in, for example, compensation payments or an inheritance

Check with a financial adviser before cashing in investments or pensions.

Switch to a repayment mortgage

You could change to a mortgage where you repay the capital as well as the interest. This is called a repayment mortgage.

Your monthly payments are more but you can start paying back the capital you owe.

If you cannot afford to switch your whole mortgage, you could keep some of it interest only to afford the payments.

Pay more each month

You can pay more each month to bring down the capital you owe.

This is called overpaying.

You need to switch to a repayment mortgage to do this.

You could look at this if you cannot afford to pay off a lump sum but want to reduce the capital you owe.

There could be a limit on how much you can overpay. There might be charges.

Extend your mortgage term

You could ask for a longer mortgage term for more time to repay the capital.

This can mean your mortgage payment does not go up as much, but you pay more interest overall.

A financial adviser might say it is a good idea to extend your mortgage term if you want to change to a repayment mortgage.

It could keep payments affordable.

Always get financial advice before you change your mortgage.

Take in a lodger

Renting out a room could help raise money to make overpayments on your mortgage.

The first £7,500 of rent paid to you each year is tax free. GOV.UK explains more.

Check with your lender before you rent out a room.

Downsize or move house

You could pay off your mortgage by selling your home.

You could move a smaller home or a cheaper area and buy a home without needing a new mortgage.

Check the value of your property and the costs of selling your home.

Make sure you can afford a new home before you decide to sell.

If you were missold an endowment policy

Endowment policies are life insurance policies with an investment attached.

You might have planned to use the investment part to pay off your mortgage.

Complain to the company who sold you the policy if your endowment did not make as much as they said it would.

Ask for compensation.

If you are unhappy with their response, complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Their number is 0800 023 4567.

Complaints can take time.

The compensation will probably not pay off your mortgage even if your claim is successful.

You should also speak to a financial adviser about your options.

How debt advice can help

Get debt advice straight away if you're struggling with other debts.

A debt adviser can:

• look at your income and spending

• help you work out a repayment plan with your lender

• talk to other companies you have debts with to reduce your repayments

They could also help you get on the breathing space scheme.

This scheme can stop or delay your home being repossessed.