Case study: eviction

Repossession: 'This will scar the children for life'

Peter Sastawnyuk borrowed £100,000 as a second mortgage three years ago. He thought it would help pay the bills but it led to the family home being repossessed this week. He battled with the mortgage company for more than two years after falling behind with repayments. The lender took over his original mortgage, making his total loan £300,000. He feels this was irresponsible lending.

"I wish I could turn the clock back. No other lender would entertain us. We had a bad credit history and the lender knew this but offered us an enormous amount of money which was too good to refuse," he said.

Sastawnyuk tried everything to prevent him, his wife and two children, aged seven and nine, from losing their home. Eventually, he found a buyer who offered £250,000 for the property and would have rented it back to him. The mortgage company had the property valued. Though the valuer agreed with the £250,000 figure, the lender blocked the sale after saying it could achieve a higher price.

The case went to court on Wednesday and Sastawnyuk and his family were evicted the following day. He is making a homeless application and doesn't know where his family will sleep next week. "Having to leave felt so helpless. I'm letting my family down and feel totally inadequate.

"This is going to scar my children for life. I fought it for so long and did everything I could but the authorities wouldn't do anything."

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