As your lender is a high street branch it would be worth obtaining an immediate appointment to try to come to some form of arrangement.(posted 7331 days ago)However there is no guarantee that Natwest will agree to this, but on the plus side you have a genuine reason and have gained new employment. Take proof of your illness, new employment and redundancy to them for the meeting.
Usually lenders are willing through negotiation to allow you to pay the arrears off over a maximum period of 12 months as long as your regular monthly mortgage payments are paid promptly and you can now demonstrate an ability to repay. You will be ok attending this on your own.
Regretably pre dated cheques are worthless to them in addition to being technically illegal on your part.
If Natwest is willing to postpone repossession proceedings you must accept that additional fees will have already been incurred such as the legal costs for the court application and possibly solicitor legal work already carried out.
IF ALL FAILS THEN GOING TO COURT IS THE ONLY OPTION
YOU MUST ATTEND IF YOU DO NOT THE HOUSE WILL BE REPOSSESSED
Ensure the judge and the lender are made aware of the reason for arrears and supply proof as mentioned previously.
Complete all court paperwork and file items prior to any deadlines stipulated - send them recorded delivery.
Take a detailed analysis of your income and outgoings - to demonstrate you now have the ability to rectify this over a suitable period of time.
Supply the court with copies of correspondence you have previously sent to the lender on this issue.
Dont panic too much, as long as Natwest havent already obtained (in the past) a possession order (you will know what i am talking about here if they have) then the judge will agree to you clearing the arrears over a suitable period, as long as you can now demonstrate affordability.
He may give them a suspended possession order but if no further payments are missed you will be ok.
Your partner does not need to attend Court however it could possibly be viewed dimly and should he find out at a later date I think the consequences would be much worse.
If Natwest wont settle this out of Court I would come clean with your partner, afterall if you have been unemployed and suffering illness for the past 5 months how did he expect you to maintain your lifestyles in addition to making the mortgage payments?
Also now that you have sucessfully gained new employment I would recommend you get Accident Sickness and Unemployment protection insurance - make sure you shop around - Norwich Union are not bad.
Good luck
If you need any further help myself or someone else on this board will be happy to advise.