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

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

Housing Insight Report October 2025

The latest figures reveal a steadier, more confident property market, with committed buyers driving sales and rental arrears falling to their lowest level since 2022. In spite of slight dips in demand, rising stock levels and stabilising rents signal a sector gradually finding its balance. Residential sales Prospective buyer registrations dropped in October 2025 The…
Read More
Breaking News

9 luxury property features to impress Christmas guests

9 of the fanciest home features to impress your Christmas guests – And how much they’ll set you back As the festive season approaches and we prepare to welcome guests into our homes, Enness Global has identified nine of the most extravagant and fancy home features that define true luxury at Christmas. But impressing the…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

No acceleration in rental EPC improvements despite policy push

Rightmove’s 2025 Greener Homes Report reveals: Energy efficiency of homes continues to steadily improve, but slowly: Rental sector stock still more energy efficient than resale stock Both markets have seen a 3% year-on-year jump in proportion of homes with at least an EPC rating of C (58% of homes for rent, 46% of homes for…
Read More
Breaking News

London renters making it onto the ladder without a deposit

Developers helping London renters onto the property ladder without a deposit, when the Government won’t The latest insight from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent brand, Foxtons, has revealed that despite the Government providing no new support in the recent Budget for first time buyers, a growing collaboration between developers and lenders is helping…
Read More
Breaking News

Prime London Sees Post-Budget Surge in £2m+ Listings

The latest research from prime London property experts, Jefferies London, reveals that, just two weeks on from the Autumn Budget and its newly announced prime property surcharges, an estimated 444 homes priced at £2m or more have been listed for sale across the capital. These new listings account for around one in 10 (9%) of…
Read More
Breaking News

2026 Will Test BTR’s Potential and Government’s Resolve

By Justine Edmonds, Head of Build to Rent / Leasing Strategies, LRG Throughout 2025 I have spent hours in meetings with and on discussion panels with institutional investors, developers and local authorities. And everything I’ve picked up on in the last year suggests that 2026 will be a crossroads for Build to Rent (BTR). The…
Read More