The number of homes given up in England each year between 2010 and 2012 because of mortgage difficulties is down by 54% compared to 2005-2009, according to new analysis from Castle Trust.

Analysis of the latest ONS English Housing Survey by Castle Trust shows that during the period 2010-2012, fewer than 12,000 homes a year were given up due to mortgage payment difficulties. This is significantly lower than 2005-2009 where there were 26,000 homes given up each year.

55% were sold to avoid mortgage arrears or to avoid court actions by the lender with the rest being taking over by the mortgage lender or the owner left voluntarily or by court order.

However, the housing investment and shared equity mortgage provider has cautioned homeowners to be wary of a rise in inflation and an increase in the UK base rate, which has been held at 0.5% for four years. Recent ONS research shows 34% of a household’s monthly expenditure goes on mortgage payments.

Castle Trust believes households can search for new and innovative lending products to protect themselves from any potential rises in mortgage costs.

Sean Oldfield, chief executive officer, Castle Trust said: “The number of homes being given up has fallen but the risk to homeowners of rising mortgage rates is still a major issue which shared equity can play a major role in reducing, including the risk of going into arrears, by controlling monthly mortgage commitments.

“The Partnership Mortgage helps lenders and borrowers overcome this issue so many more good quality customers can secure the mortgage they want while HouSAs enable investors to gain exposure to the national housing market directly or through an ISA or a SIPP.”