Mortgage Hardship Letter to Your Lender
Struggling with your home loan repayments because your circumstances have changed? A clear, calm hardship notice to your bank or lender: what changed, your situation in numbers, the help you want (a repayment pause, lower or interest-only repayments for a while, or a longer loan term) and what you can afford, using the words lenders act on under the National Credit Code.
What this document does
- Explains what has changed and how long you expect it to last, from your answers only.
- Asks for the help you want: a repayment pause, lower or interest-only repayments for a while, a longer loan term, or time to catch up.
- Sets out your income, your home loan repayment and essential costs plainly, if you choose to include them, with what you can afford.
- Asks your lender to treat it as a hardship notice under section 72 of the National Credit Code, the words lenders act on.
- Calm and honest: no threats and no complaint. A friendly or formal tone, your choice.
- You read it first, then we email it for you or you download it and send it yourself.
What we'll ask you
Plain-English questions, one at a time. No legal knowledge needed — if you don't know an answer exactly, your best estimate is fine.
- What help do you want to ask your lender for? Pick one to start.
- What is the home loan for?
- Which bank or lender is the loan with? Add 'Hardship Team' if they have one.
- Your home loan account number and the name or names on the loan. You can skip this.optional
- What has changed, and when? For example losing work, reduced hours, illness, a separation, a new baby or a disaster.
- How long do you expect it to last?
- Are you behind on your repayments yet?
- Your situation in numbers: what comes in now, your home loan repayment, and other essential costs, each week, fortnight or month. Rough figures are fine. You can skip this.optional
- Anything to add about what you are asking for, such as for how long? You can skip this.optional
- What could you afford to pay on the loan for now, and how often? You can skip this.optional
- Have you already contacted the lender about this? If so, when, and what were you told?
- How should the letter sound?
- You approve it before it is sent
- 2 free amendments included
- All Australian states and territories
- Stripe secured · 256-bit encrypted
From your answers to a finished Mortgage Hardship Letter in three steps
Answer 12 quick questions
Who it’s about, what happened and what you want. Plain English, one question at a time.
We write it, calmly and clearly
Your Mortgage Hardship Letter to Your Lender is written from your answers in plain English, in the tone you choose, then formatted as a clean one-page PDF. Usually ready within about five minutes.
Review, approve, sent
The draft lands in your dashboard for you to check. Nothing goes to the other party until you approve it — then we email it on your behalf and record the delivery, or you download it and send it yourself. Two free amendments included.
Ready? Start now.
No card required until the end. No account needed to start.
Start My Mortgage Hardship Letter — $29 →$29 flat fee · You approve it before it is sent · 2 edits included
Everything about the Mortgage Hardship Letter to Your Lender
How much does the Mortgage Hardship Letter cost?
A flat $29 AUD, including GST. There is no card required to start, no subscription and no hourly rate. You see a summary of your answers before you pay.
How long does it take?
There are 12 questions, which take a few minutes to answer. The letter is usually ready in about 5 minutes after payment, any time of day.
Is it sent automatically, or do I see it first?
You see it first. The letter lands in your dashboard, and nothing is sent until you approve it. Then we email it for you, or you download it and send it yourself.
What if I need changes?
You read the full letter on your dashboard before anything is sent. You can change the wording yourself or ask for a redraft, with 2 edits included.
How long does my lender have to reply?
ASIC's guidance is that, once a lender has the information it needs, it has 21 days to tell you its decision on a hardship notice under the National Credit Code. It may ask you for information first. The letter says this calmly.
Does it work for an investment property?
Yes, for a home loan on a residential investment property as well as a home you live in. A loan taken mainly for business purposes is not covered by the National Credit Code; use the Financial Hardship Request for that.
Is there free help?
Yes. The National Debt Helpline offers free, confidential help with money and debts on 1800 007 007 (weekdays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm), or at ndh.org.au.
What if my lender says no?
Claim Done has a Bank, Loan and Credit Complaint to AFCA, the free external dispute scheme for banks and lenders.
Read up before you send
Other everyday letters
Put it in writing today.
A few quick questions and your Mortgage Hardship Letter to Your Lender is ready in minutes. No card required until the end.
Start My Mortgage Hardship Letter — $29 →