Mortgage affordability comes out best in Scotland for Q4 2016 says Bank of Scotland

February 7, 2017

In the latest Bank of Scotland Affordability Review which tracks mortgage affordability for homeowners across Scotland, they state that the proportion of disposable earnings devoted to mortgage payments, for both first time buyers and homemovers in the UK in quarter four (Q4) of 2016 was lowest in Scotland, mortgage payments were 19.8% of disposable earnings, compared to 29.7% for the UK.

Graham Blair, Mortgage Director at Bank of Scotland, commented: “Scottish homeowners have seen a decent improvement in housing affordability since 2007 as record falls in mortgage rates have offset higher house prices. As a result mortgage payments account for a lower proportion of disposable earnings than anywhere else in the UK.

“The significant reduction in mortgage payments by a typical borrower has resulted mostly from record low rates that have provided monthly savings of, on average, around £225 when compared to payments in 2007.”

Read the Bank of Scotland Affordability Review released January 3rd in full click here

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 16/7/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The Housing Market Does Not Need Saving: It Needs De-Risking   Thought leadership by Olivier Jauniaux, Founder of NestLink   “Everything starts with a good home,” Andy Burnham told a hall full of highly hopeful supporters at the People’s History Museum in Manchester in June 2026, in the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Why the postcode can make a big difference to your rebuild costs

93% of UK properties are insured for the wrong amount, according to research by RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com. The regional breakdown behind this figure shows why location still matters when calculating rebuild values. National figures demonstrate the scale of the issue and regional data helps show where inaccurate sums insured are more common. “Two similar properties in different…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

New record rents as rental supply falls for first time since 2022

The average advertised rent of homes outside London has risen by 1.9% this quarter to a new record of £1,397 per calendar month, the first quarterly rent record since Q3 2025: The average advertised rents outside London is now 2.3% higher than a year ago, an increase from 1.6% last quarter London also reaches a…
Read More →
Breaking News

Our predictions for the property market in the second half of 2026

Allison Thompson, Chief Lettings Officer, Leaders part of LRG. There is a lot going on right now that’s impacting the property market, both in terms of direct legislation and the wider economy: Global conflicts affecting consumer confidence and interest rates Ongoing cost of living issues challenging affordability for homeowners and renters The recent introduction of…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 14/7/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   REVIEW: The Future of Real Estate Education: From Pedagogy to Technology Author Mr. Hugh Kelly, Ph.D., CRE Emeritus   Edited by Karen M. McGrath, Elaine M. Worzala, and Pernille H. Christensen. (Routledge, New York and London, 2026). 330 pp. ISBN 9781032625041. Paperback $70.99; hardcover $170.00; ebook…
Read More →
Breaking News

Why 2026 is redefining responsibility in the private rented sector

The landlord rulebook has changed  Insurance experts warn that understanding where landlord obligations end and tenant responsibilities begin has never been more important, following the biggest legislative shake-up of the rental market in a generation. The implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1st May 2026 has transformed the relationship between landlords and tenants, introducing…
Read More →