Tag Archives: investment
Lenders in UK praised for work on responsible lending requirements
Lenders in the UK positively applied the responsible lending requirements which came into force as part of the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) introduced in April 2014, a new report concludes. But there is scope for improving consumers’ ability to make better choices about mortgage deals according to the Responsible Lending Review published by the UK’s financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It also says that some firms need to make process improvements to help them consistently assess and record their lending decisions and some could be more proactive and consistent in making use of flexibilities and exceptions to the responsible lending requirements for existing customers. The research found no evidence that the rules have prevented firms lending responsibly to consumer groups such as older borrowers and the self-employed. However it points out that with older consumers representing an increasing proportion of the UK population it is important that the mortgage market continues to develop a range of products that can meet their needs. Potential issues relating to lending to older borrowers will be included in wider work on the ageing population being undertaken by the FCA. The review looked at the challenges that consumers face in making effective choices, particularly when it comes to assessing and acting on information about mortgage products, with intermediaries being key to the process. It also examined if there are opportunities to make more effective use of technology in the provision of information and advice and commercial relationships between different players in the sector’s supply chain, in particular the use of panels, that might give rise to competition concerns. The FCA will carry out further work where there is greatest scope for competition to improve consumer outcomes. In particular, it will launch a targeted market study in the fourth quarter of 2016 focused on consumers’ ability to make effective choices, with a view to improving how competition works in consumers’ best interests. This study will try to determine if the available tools for helping consumers make choices, such as price comparison websites, best-buy tables, and advice, effectively meet their needs. ‘For millions of consumers a mortgage is one of the biggest financial transactions they will enter into in their lifetime so it’s encouraging to see firms embrace the spirit and the letter of our rules,’ said Christopher Woolard, director of strategy and competition at the FCA. ‘At the same time, there appears to be more to be done to improve competition in the mortgage sector. Competition can play a key role in ensuring that the sector works well, delivering lower prices, better products and choice, and more innovation,’ he explained. ‘Based on the evidence we’ve collected so far, we intend to launch a forward looking market study later on this year, with particular focus on the roles played by intermediaries and panels,’ he added. The Council of Mortgage Lenders welcomed the review and pointed out that members are already working on certain areas such as improving consumers' ability… Continue reading
UK landlords looking for cheaper properties due to stamp duty surcharge
Landlords in the UK are looking for cheaper properties in response to the new 3% stamp duty charge on additional homes, according to the latest lettings index to be published. Average price paid by investors in April fell by 8.3% month on month, from £194,000 to 178,000 and London saw the biggest change in behaviour with landlords buying homes costing 16.4% less than the previous month. At the same time, the number of homes sold to first time buyers increased by 19% between April 2015 and April 2015, while the number of homes bought by landlords halved, the data from the Countrywide Lettings index shows. It also reveals that average UK rental growth continued to slow. The rise of 2% in April was less than half the 4.7% recorded in April 2015. London saw the biggest fall in average price paid, down from £436,000 in March to £365,000 in April. While overall house prices in London rose 13.9% over the last year, the capital’s landlords paid an average of 8.2% less than they did in April 2015. However, generally lower priced markets saw a less marked response from landlords with average prices paid by investors rising month on month in the North East and Yorkshire. April also saw fewer landlords purchasing homes, after a spike in activity in the first three months of the year. Landlords rushed to complete on their purchases before 01 April to avoid a bigger stamp duty bill with 61% more landlords buying in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015. The report points out that many sales which would otherwise have normally completed in April were pulled forward into March. Around half the number of landlords bought in April 2016 compared to April 2015. The number of sales to first time buyers rose by 19% over the same period. Average rents increased 2% over the last year, leaving the average monthly UK rent at £932. Rental growth is now half the rate it was in 2015 and the report suggests that affordability constraints and the increase in the number of homes coming onto the rental market continues to slow rental growth. ‘April’s fall off in investor activity seems to be the consequence of landlords bringing forward purchases to beat the stamp duty deadline. Rather than being dissuaded by the new 3% charge it seems that landlords are already adjusting their behaviour. In response to the extra purchasing costs many are choosing to buy cheaper homes that offer a higher yield and of course a lower stamp duty bill,’ said Johnny Morris, research director at Countrywide. ‘There’s early signs that first time buyer numbers are increasing in as investor activity has declined. But it’s too early to tell whether this is simply the after effects of the stamp duty rush or the start of a longer term trend,’ he added. Continue reading
Housing sales in UK set to jump by a fifth by 2020,
The number of property transactions in the UK could rise by over a fifth in five years to reach almost 1.5 million in 2020, according to new research. This will happen if first time buyers are given greater access to high loan to value lending, says the study commissioned by mover conveyancing services My Home Move. The increase in annual property transaction figures from the 1.23 million recorded in 2015 to the projected 1.49 million in 2020, a rise of 21.1%, is based on an econometric forecast of property transaction volumes. This includes a 6.6% rise in property sales in 2016, compared to 2015. The independent research uses a forecast model that draws on the historic relationship between property transactions and three variables that have had the greatest impact on property turnover: average mortgage rates, unemployment figures and the average first time buyer percentage deposit. The forecast of transaction levels is based on the OBR prediction for unemployment which is expected to fall slightly to 5.0% this year before rising slightly to 5.3% by 2020 and the OBR prediction for Bank Rate which is expected to rise gradually from early 2018 to reach 1.0% by the end of 2020. As part of the research, the average percentage deposit for first time buyers has been independently forecasted. This has been modelled to fall from the current 17.1% to 10% by late 2019 as more high LTV mortgage products come onto the market helping to make homeownership more affordable. As property transactions provide one of the most important measures of the overall health of the UK’s housing market, the research highlights a positive future for the market as transactions are set to advance strongly. ‘Although house prices have improved since the economic crash, property transaction levels, which are a key indicator of market health, are yet to return to their peak of 2007,’ said Doug Crawford, chief executive officer of My Home Move. ‘This report highlights the critical importance of unlocking access to high loan to value mortgage products for first time buyers, if we are to see transaction volumes grow and the health of the market remain,’ he explained. ‘The forecast shows that the number of home purchases could see a dramatic improvement if access to home ownership for first time buyers is nurtured. In particular, we need more lending to those with smaller deposits so that average deposit sizes for first time buyers fall to 10%,’ he pointed out. ‘However, reaching this would require a coordinated effort from across the industry sooner rather than later from house builders to ensure the supply is there, from lenders to provide the high loan to value lending that first time buyers depend on, and from those of us who support first time buyers with their purchase to ensure that buying a home is as easy as it can be,’ he added. ‘It couldn’t be clearer how important first time buyers are in… Continue reading
