Research from the firm claimed that one in 25 borrowers could not afford to pay their mortgage with some 463,000 people failing to meet a payment deadline since July 2007.
This figure represents around 4 per cent of the 11.8 million outstanding mortgages.
However, MoneyExpert.com said the recent Bank of England Base Rate drop would ease pressure on household finances and that the current credit crunch, combined with the Christmas and New Year period, was a potential reason for the number of missed repayments.
Those aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to have missed mortgage payments, reflecting the difficulties experienced by first-time buyers trying to get a foothold on the property ladder.
Sean Gardner, chief executive of MoneyExpert.com, said: “Missing a mortgage payment doesn’t incur an automatic charge like failing to pay your credit card bill. But it is a sign of real distress as keeping a roof over your head should be the priority for most of us.
“It’s clear that many home owners are feeling the strain of successive rate hikes but if the result is that you can’t pay your mortgage then you should take action immediately.
"If you are struggling to afford the repayments then now is not the time to stick your head in the sand. A telephone call to your mortgage lender can ease the pressure enormously.”
A spokesperson for Leeds Building Society commented: “We arrange mortgage counselling home visits at an early stage in the arrears cycle to assist those customers in arrears who are not able to get their mortgage accounts back on track.
"The counsellors go through the customer’s income and expenditure to identify areas of overspending, possible debt consolidation and unclaimed benefits.”
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