You should know that not all late mortgage payment count as mortgage arrears. It all depends on how fast you can pay your due mortgage payments and you lender. Some lenders leave you the time between your last due mortgage payment and the next one to pay it off without it becoming an arrear. Check with your lender to find out exactly what are his rules for establishing arrears.
Sometimes you might be faced with mortgage arrears even if you know you have paid them. Direct debit can sometime fail. Cash payments or by debit card are the most secure way of making sure your payment goes through.
If a you have late mortgage payments that became arrears you should talk to your lender and create a realistic payment plan. You can pay extra each month for example until you have covered all due arrears. Usually the longer the period of time over which you pay the arrears the smaller the extra amount of money you have to pay to the bank each month will be. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about the interest you will pay.
Another option you have when paying off your arrears is telling your lender that you will get a big chunk of money in the near future and that you will use it to pay all you arrears with it. Make sure that the big chunk of money has a realistic source and that it is only a matter of time until you get it. Hoping you will win the big lottery prize won't cut it and will only put you in an even worse position.
If you are really late with your mortgage payments, your lender can ask for a repossession hearing. During the repossession hearing the court will be able to accept a solid offer to pay off your arrears over a couple of years. The resulting arrangement is called a suspended order for repossession. As long as you pay your monthly payment there should be no more problems and you will get to keep your house.
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