Mortgage approvals drop compared to same time last year.

As we approach the end of the year not such a cheery note as far as mortgage approvals are concerned, High street bank mortgage approvals were down 20 per cent in November compared with the year before, new figures from the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) research have shown.

Along with the mortage figures also house sales for the month of November have been reported by the BBA as being 20% fewer than this time last year, this could be attributed to the more stringent rules on mortgage lenders by the FCA following the Mortgage Market Review which came into effect in April this year.

This could well be a temporary blip, the Chancellor’s autumn statement stamp duty announcement could well help attract a new wave of buyers to the housing market and should instil confidence in both, buyers and lenders.

As reported in the investment section ofYourmoney.com BBA chief economist Richard Woolhouse said: “Today’s figures show quite a sharp chill to the housing market in recent months – with house purchase approvals during November 20 per cent lower than a year before.

It will be very interesting how both the stricter mortgage rules and the new stamp duty rates affect the housing market as we go into 2015.

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

Prime London property market stays firm

The latest Prime London Demand Index by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, reveals that, despite broad economic uncertainty, buyer demand across London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods avoided a decline during the first quarter of 2026, with the likes of Chelsea, Battersea, Highgate, and Belgravia seeing quarterly demand increases of above 5%. The Prime…
Read More
Breaking News

More first-time buyers enter the market in 2026

The latest research by Yopa has revealed that first-time buyer demand has strengthened during the first quarter of 2026, despite the supply of homes offering the benefit of a buying scheme remaining limited. Yopa analysed first-time buyer demand based on the proportion of homes listed under buying schemes* that have already sold subject to contract…
Read More
Breaking News

Fall-throughs hit housing market for £1bn annually

The latest Fall-Through Index by the House Buyer Bureau has revealed that the number of fall-throughs in the UK fell by -25% in the final quarter of 2025, but the estimated total cost incurred still stood at £218.3m in those three months alone, pushing the total cost for the year to over £1bn. House Buyer…
Read More
Breaking News

More tenants enter the rental market

Tenant demand climbs across England in Q1 as rental market pressure builds for letting agents The latest research by The Letting Partnership has found that tenant demand across England remained strong during the first quarter of 2026, with 27.4% of all rental listings already securing a tenant, meaning that the country’s hottest rental markets are…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

7 Ways Estate Agents Can Adapt to a Changing Property Market

The UK property landscape is evolving rapidly, and estate agents are under increasing pressure to implement innovative strategies. With shifting buyer expectations, new technologies, and alternative sales models entering the market, adapting your approach is essential. So, if you’re looking to see success with your agency, here are just seven key ways you can remain…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Spring clean drives high maintenance bill for landlord

The latest market insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, suggests that property maintenance spend is set to surge in April, as the annual ‘spring clean’ by landlords saw the month account for the second highest proportion of total annual maintenance spend in 2025, as well as the largest average spend per work order. Rushbrook…
Read More