Shelter housing charity has found that more than one million households have used credit cards to pay the mortgage or rent in the past 12 months.

A recent survey by housing charity Shelter has found that more than one million UK households have used credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent during 2009.

According to Shelter, this figure equates to around 6% of UK homes paying a mortgage or rent.

The survey also showed that using credit to pay for mortgages or rent was not exclusive to the working classes. 4% of middle and upper class households admitted to using credit cards this way.

On the back of the survey, Shelter is issuing a warning to people about the danger of using credit cards which would ultimately lead to homelessness.

Andy Nutley, Shelter Lincolnshire Manager, said: “This is a shocking discovery, that over a million households in Britain are in such desperate circumstances that they need to borrow money on credit cards to pay for basic housing costs.

“If people are already struggling to the extent that they fear losing their home, increasing credit card debt cannot be the answer.”

The charity urges people who are struggling with debts to seek expert advice.

Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.com said: “It’s great to see housing charity Shelter adding to the weight of non-profit debt counselling help for those in crisis; and I would urge anyone worrying about home related debt problems to get in touch with them – it should stop few sleepless nights.”