The arrears management processes of mortgage lenders often increase the arrears problems faced by borrowers, according to a report by Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
Advisers are being urged to keep an eye on how a client's mortgage arrears are reported by credit agencies as there could be a potential TCF breach.
Mortgage arrears at Britain's biggest lender have increased by 33% in six months.
The number of mortgages in arrears has increased 15% since June 2004, latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) reveal.