Mortgage arrears at lowest levels since records began according to UK Finance.

May 11, 2018

Latest UK Finance  Mortgage Arrears and Possessions Update released yesterday 10th May 2018 for the first quarter of 2018 headlines ‘Mortgage arrears at record low in Q1 2018.’

The update revealed: 1,200 homeowner mortgaged properties were taken into possession in the first quarter of 2018, unchanged from the same quarter of the previous year.

Jackie Bennett, Director of Mortgages at UK Finance, commented:

“The number of mortgages in arrears is at its lowest level since records began while possessions remain at a historic low.

“This has been helped by low interest rates and lenders supporting borrowers through periods of temporary financial difficulty wherever possible.

“However, the recent change to Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) from a benefit to a loan, as well as potential pressure on households from a future base rate rise, risk causing a reversal of this trend as the year goes on.

“Only a small minority of those eligible for the SMI loan have taken it up so far. Lenders will proactively help borrowers in receipt of Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) to see if there are other ways to make up their payments if they do not want to take out the loan.

“As ever, customers should not hesitate to contact their lender if they anticipate any payment problems and want to discuss what options are available.  Repossession is always a last resort.”

Read the UK Finance Mortgage Arrears and Possessions update 10th May 2018 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

Property compliance experts urge landlords not to ignore major tenancy changes under Renters’ Rights Act

Beresfords property group highlights key actions landlords must take as new tenancy rules, enforcement powers and energy standards approach. UK landlords are being warned not to overlook major changes to tenancy agreements and compliance requirements, as the Government moves closer to implementing the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Following the publication of draft secondary legislation, the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Nationwide becoming first lender to allow mortgage deeds to be signed digitally

Mary-Lou Press, President of NAEA Propertymark (National Association of Estate Agents), comments: “The conveyancing process remains one of the most common sources of frustration for buyers and sellers, with more than 30 per cent of housing transactions taking over 17 weeks to complete on average. These prolonged timescales only serve to increase pressure and uncertainty…
Read More →
Breaking News

Fruitful year ahead for aspiring first-time buyers

First-time buyers and those with little equity to refinance will find greater mortgage choice. During January, there was an uplift in higher LTV deals, with 90% LTV options at a record-high, plus a boost to 95% LTV deals, which are at their highest count since March 2008. The electronic monitoring of LTV choice at Moneyfacts…
Read More →
Breaking News

Lovelocked London homebuyers face romance premium

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, reveals that lovelocked London homebuyers house hunting across the capital’s most romantic locations can expect to pay house premiums of more than 64%. But couples can still find great value if they know where to look. Benham and Reeves has identified nine of…
Read More →
Breaking News

First-time buyers face highest hurdle in England

The latest research from Yopa has found that while first-time buyers in England continue to face the highest cost of getting a foot on the property ladder, at £27,807, it’s their Scottish counterparts who have seen this cost rise by the largest margin over the last year, increasing by 5.5%. Yopa analysed* the current cost…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental price and average salary tracker – January 2026

Seasonal cooling deepens regional rent declines, while affordability pressures remain structurally high Month-on-month rental prices fell across the majority of regions, with particularly pronounced drops in the North East (−10.0%), South West (−8.1%), Yorkshire and Humberside (−7.4%), and Wales (−6.1%), highlighting a clear seasonal slowdown as demand softens post-Christmas. Year-on-year salary requirements show only modest…
Read More →