As soon as you get into arrears, building societies generally no longer want you as a customer. Legally, however, they have to give you an opportunity to catch up if you are showing a willingness to pay off the arrears. They can capitalise them on the understanding that you won't miss another payment, but as soon as you miss another payment, you have broken this agreement, so in their eyes, they can go back to their original demand that they want their money back. This forces you to either repay the arrears in full, sell the house or re-mortgage to consolidate your debts. Either way, they won't be willing to give you another chance.(posted 8659 days ago)