Almost 13,610 properties were repossessed during the second quarter 2009 which is nearly 1,300 fewer than during the previous quarter however, it is 23 per cent higher than for the same period of 2008, according to the Financial Services Authority.The FSA said the decrease in repossessions most likely to be due to the introduction of the pre-action protocol in November last year, under which courts can only grant a repossession order if all other measures to keep someone in their home have failed. The UK Government is also doing their initiative to help individuals who are struggling with their mortgage payments. The lenders also show greater forbearance while interest rates are also helping to keep payments more affordable.