Mortgage arrears and repossessions hit new low.

According to data from UK Finance the number of mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding balance declined to 88,200 in the second quarter of this year, this figure amounted to 0.8% of the more than 11 million mortgages outstanding in the UK, the lowest level since at least 1994 when this run of data began.

The number of properties taken into possession also declined in the second quarter from 1,900 to 1,800 (accounting for 0.02% of all mortgages).

Commenting on the data, UK Finance head of mortgages Paul Smee said:

“These figures show that the overwhelming majority of borrowers are managing their mortgage payments successfully, and many of those who have experienced some difficulty in the past are able to recover their financial position.  The recent improvement in the number of mortgages with high levels of arrears is particularly welcome.

“Borrowers are being helped by low interest rates, but mortgage costs are certain to rise at some stage.  It is important therefore for customers to plan ahead and consider how their finances would be affected in those circumstances.  As ever, lenders will continue to help borrowers resolve any financial difficulty if possible, so customers should not hesitate to contact their lender if they anticipate any payment problems.”

Read the report from UK Finance dated 10th August 2017 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

Autumn Budget 2026: Property industry reaction

Following today’s Autumn Budget, reaction from property industry experts on six key areas for the property market. First-time buyer support: The £4.7bn Your First Home equity loan scheme, supporting 70,000 buyers, alongside the introduction of a new First Time Buyer ISA. Inflation and borrowing costs: The extension of the fuel duty freeze, household energy support…
Read More →
Breaking News

Can you legally BAN Halloween Trick or Treaters?

People who dread the annual knock of trick-or-treaters may have more power to keep Halloween callers away than they realise. As millions of children prepare to take to the streets on October 31, a property law expert has explained what homeowners can do if they do not want strangers walking up their path or knocking…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

What the sector need to do differently to give first time buyers a chance

By Peter Hawley, Director, SOWN (part of LRG) The mortgage and property sector needs to stop assuming that younger buyers are either ready to buy outright or not ready at all. For many, the reality is somewhere in between. They may have stable employment, a deposit and a strong desire to own, but still find…
Read More →
Letting Agent Talk

The 50-property tipping point: when landlords need a different approach

By Adam Hills, Client Services Director, LRG Living Markets A sizeable residential property portfolio can create significant opportunities for long-term income and capital growth. But as it expands, so does the complexity of managing it effectively. For landlords with 50 or more properties, the challenge extends well beyond finding tenants or collecting rent to communication,…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Home is where the stress is

Couples find first-time buying more anxiety-inducing than buying solo First-time buying: Anxiety doubles when finding a home with your partner! Stress and anxiety significantly increase when buying a first home with your partner compared to flying solo The likes of searching for a property, applying for mortgages and progressing through the legalities are all significantly…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 28/10/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   If Zoopla is for sale, then so are you Thought leadership by Olivier Jauniaux Founder of NestLink On 14 August, Providence Equity Partners announced it had agreed to acquire Hometrack from ZPG. Bloomberg confirmed the seller the same day. Terms were not disclosed, though Real Deals, citing…
Read More →