Surge in buy-to-let landlords plunging into mortgage arrears

Surge in buy-to-let landlords plunging into mortgage arrears

9:38 AM, 8th March 2024, About 2 months ago 6

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The number of buy-to-let landlords falling into arrears has surged, according to new figures.

According to UK Finance, more than 40,000 BTL landlords (41,090) fell into arrears on their mortgage payments in 2023, an average of 10,273 per quarter.

UK Finance says cost-of-living pressures and high-interest rates have caused trouble for landlords in recent months.

13,570 BTL mortgages in arrears

According to UK Finance data, a staggering 13,570 buy-to-let mortgages plummeted into arrears of 2.5% or more in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, 18% greater than in the previous quarter.

Within the total, there were 6,800 buy-to-let mortgages in the lightest arrears band (representing between 2.5 and 5% of the outstanding balance). This was 8% greater than in the previous quarter.

A huge 500 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were taken into possession in the fourth quarter of 2023, 11% greater than in the previous quarter.

Expect the trend to continue

Alastair Douglas, the chief executive of TotallyMoney, told Sky News the figures were concerning.

He said: “The latest figures show that more and more homeowners and landlords are falling into arrears, and we can expect the trend to continue as 1.7 million cheap fixed-rate deals come to an end this year.

“If you’re somebody who’s struggling, contact your lender and ask for support – and remember this won’t impact your credit rating.”

He says banks need to support people with mortgage payments.

“However, missed payments can – and they could stay on your credit file for up to six years. If these persist, you might end up in mortgage arrears, leading to court action and even repossession.

“Banks need to be more proactive in issuing this support and must reach out to people who they think might be in difficulty. Otherwise, we won’t just be looking at a mortgage crisis, but a mental health one too.”


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Comments

Judith Wordsworth

14:40 PM, 8th March 2024, About 2 months ago

In a recent Property118.com article 93% or was it 97% of landlords with mortgages were in arrears.

Hate to say it but mostly due to likely too high loan to value (I've never gone more than 60/40) and working on 12 months rent instead of 10 months max per annum AND having a good chunk of money in reserve for emergencies.

Too many have thought the PRS a gravy train and not done their homework and not know landlord legislation/regulation/responsibilities/obligations.

Reluctant Landlord

15:47 PM, 8th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 08/03/2024 - 14:40
I tend to agree. If it is the real intention to make it difficult for these LL's in particular to continue, and in doing so free up properties - with the idea of them being released for FTB and home owners/locals then I can see the thinking on this to some degree...

but that ultimately only moves properties out of the PRS, so the over all property 'gain' of more rentals to market is zero. Given the shortage of property generally and prices remaining as they are (high overall) I can't see many genuine FTB's bothering to get on the ladder at the mo.

This only leaves existing home owners upsizing/downsizing or cash buyers - ie more private landlords. Certainly not economic migrants wanting to put down roots and I don't see a rush from existing LL's to buy any more (RRB/EPC/Labour coming in?) and no corporate is going to buy sporadic homes here and there. They want stack 'em and rack 'em flats.

CGT may be being lowered, but any 'savings' gets eaten up with move costs etc so you need to be serious these days to WANT to move.

So what is the point and the end game here exactly?

Cider Drinker

19:02 PM, 8th March 2024, About 2 months ago

There are over 2 million BTL. 40,000 is just 2%.

Its tough for those that believed in the magic of leverage.

Yellard

15:24 PM, 9th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Some landlords may not have thought interest
rates would climb so rapidly.. But mortgage arrears are also because of tenant rent arrears and everyone is suffering from high inflation. Some landlords will be struggling to pay their own home mortgage and service charges, insurance and other regulatory costs have all increased dramatically.

Keith Wellburn

19:04 PM, 9th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 08/03/2024 - 14:40
I’ll try again. 93% or 97% of mortgaged landlords in arrears? That would be virtually all of two million odd mortgages - total and utter collapse of BTL. Bearing in mind that lending criteria have been quite strict since the MMR (mortgage market review) around a decade ago now and hundreds of thousands of mortgages are still on advantageous fixes it is not a credible assertion.

Without any link to the article it is not possible to see why the error has been made - but it certainly did not give either of those percentages for non performing mortgages.

GlanACC

9:40 AM, 10th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Keith Wellburn at 09/03/2024 - 19:04
I agree, My LTV was 80% and I had a £1.8m mortgage, however I factored in that my other business would 'lend a hand' in times of hardship. The 2008 debacle proved this and for nearly 3 years I was subsidsing my property interests (not too much though < £500 a month over 13 properties at the time). In the end I came out smiling. You have to do your sums and factor in unusual events. Having only 1 or 2 properties with a high LTV interst only mortgage is asking for trouble.

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