City centres are suffering from the highest numbers of repossessions in the UK, with the Capital leading the way, according to Spicerhaart Corporate Sales.

London had the most repossessions in the first three months of 2010, with +166% more than the second highest city, Birmingham. The Capital has been worst hit by the after-effects of the recession and many homes continue to be repossessed as financially challenged home-owners are unable to keep up mortgage repayments. The other cities making up the top five were Manchester followed by Liverpool and Belfast.

Mark Pilling, managing director for Spicerhaart corporate sales, said: “While we may now officially be out of the recession, the after-effects of the downturn continue to make themselves felt in many parts of the country. Repossession numbers continue to rise in city centres where home owners have been hit hard by unemployment, increasing inflation and falling house prices.

“In order to help these homeowners recover as much of the value of their loans as possible, it is important that possession sales are managed quickly and efficiently, which is why using a specialist asset manager such as ourselves can help speed the process along and relieve the pain for all parties concerned.”