Mortgages news
82 stories on mortgages, newest first. Every story is dated and cites its sources.
- September 2026
Government announces Your First Home equity loan scheme for first-time buyers in England
The government has announced Your First Home, an equity loan scheme for first-time buyers in England, with 2.5% deposits and 20% government-backed loans, to be confirmed at the Budget.
UK mortgage sales rose to 717,519 in 2025, the highest annual total since 2021
Office for National Statistics figures show 717,519 UK mortgage sales in 2025, the highest annual total since 2021 but still around 34.5% below 2006 levels.
- August 2026
Mortgage and landlord possession statistics for April to June 2026 published
Mortgage possession claims, orders, warrants and repossessions all fell in England and Wales in April to June 2026, while landlord claims rose and mortgage repossession times reached their longest since late 2023.
Nationwide cuts fixed mortgage rates by up to 0.15 percentage points
Nationwide is cutting rates across its fixed mortgage range by up to 0.15 percentage points from 18 August 2026, taking its lowest fixed rate to 4.48% for home movers.
- July 2026
BSA research shows mortgage access concerns falling but affordability still the main barrier
BSA research finds 37% of people now see mortgage access as a barrier to buying a home, down from 48% two years ago, with affordability still the biggest obstacle.
- June 2026
MCOB 11 updated with Consumer Duty references and revised exceptions to affordability assessment
The FCA Handbook's responsible lending chapter was updated on 26 June 2026, adding Consumer Duty wording to its purpose and revising the exceptions to the mortgage affordability assessment rule.
Net mortgage borrowing rose to £7.7 billion in June 2026
Net mortgage borrowing by individuals rose to £7.7 billion in June 2026 from £3.3 billion in May, the Bank of England has reported, while mortgage approvals for house purchases increased but stayed below their recent average.
- May 2026
Mortgage borrowing and approvals fell in May 2026
Bank of England data show net mortgage borrowing fell to £2.9 billion in May 2026 and house purchase approvals dropped to 56,200, the lowest since December 2023.
- April 2026
Net mortgage borrowing fell in April while approvals for house purchases rose
Bank of England data show net mortgage borrowing fell to £4.4 billion in April from £6.8 billion in March, while approvals for house purchases rose to 65,900.
- March 2026
Chancellor meets lenders representing 75% of mortgage market and lenders reaffirm Mortgage Charter commitments
The Chancellor met lenders covering 75% of the mortgage market on 26 March 2026 to discuss rates and borrower support, after which lenders reaffirmed their Mortgage Charter commitments.
- January 2026
Net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 60,000 in January 2026
Bank of England data show net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 60,000 in January 2026, below the recent six-month average, while mortgage borrowing and consumer credit also shifted.
Net mortgage borrowing fell to £4.1 billion in January 2026
Bank of England figures show net mortgage borrowing by individuals fell to £4.1 billion in January 2026, down from £4.5 billion in December and below the previous six-month average.
Government announces ground rent cap and ban on new leasehold flats
The government has published a draft bill to cap ground rent at £250 a year, ban new leasehold flats and make commonhold easier, with the cap not expected before late 2028.
Government publishes draft leasehold reform legislation
Draft legislation published in January 2026 would cap ground rents at £250 a year, ban leaseholds for most new flats and create a commonhold conversion route, with law possible from 2027.
- December 2025
FCA publishes Mortgage Rule Review Feedback Statement and Roadmap with 2026 consultation areas
The FCA has published its Mortgage Rule Review Feedback Statement and Roadmap, setting out targeted reforms for first-time buyers and the self-employed and areas for consultation in 2026.
Mortgage approvals for house purchase fell in December 2025 while remortgaging approvals rose
Bank of England data show net mortgage approvals for house purchase fell by 3,100 to 61,000 in December 2025, while remortgaging approvals rose by 1,600 to 38,400.
- November 2025
Q3 2025 mortgage and landlord possession statistics published
Mortgage repossessions in England and Wales rose 40 per cent year on year in July to September 2025, while landlord repossessions rose 9 per cent, even as new claims for both fell.
Effective rate on newly drawn mortgages rose for the first time since February 2025
The Bank of England says the effective interest rate on newly drawn mortgages rose to 4.20% in November, the first increase since February 2025, as mortgage borrowing and credit card growth also picked up.
Net mortgage borrowing by individuals rose to £4.5 billion in November 2025
Net mortgage borrowing by individuals rose to £4.5 billion in November 2025, up from £4.2 billion in October, while the effective interest rate on newly drawn mortgages increased for the first time since February 2025.
- October 2025
BSA research finds 29% of aspiring homeowners believe they will never own a home
Building Societies Association research published on 30 October 2025 found 29% of people who want to buy a home believe they never will, with deposits, repayments and stamp duty cited as barriers.
Mortgage borrowing and remortgage approvals fall in October 2025
Bank of England figures show net mortgage borrowing fell to £4.3 billion in October 2025, with remortgage approvals dropping to 33,100, the lowest since February 2025.
- September 2025
Effective rate on newly drawn mortgages fell to 4.19%, the lowest since January 2023
The effective interest rate on newly drawn mortgages fell by 7 basis points to 4.19% in September, the lowest since January 2023, the Bank of England has reported.
Mortgage borrowing by individuals rose to £5.5 billion in September 2025, the highest since March 2025
Bank of England data show net mortgage borrowing by individuals rose by £1.2 billion to £5.5 billion in September 2025, the highest since March, while the effective rate on new mortgages fell to 4.19%.
UK residential mortgage product count reaches series high of 7,062
The number of residential mortgage products in the UK rose by 220 over the month to 7,062 in early September 2025, the highest level since the series began in 2008.
- July 2025
Affordability, explanation and switching policy rules revised
The Financial Conduct Authority has updated mortgage rulebook provisions on remortgaging without additional borrowing, covering the more affordable test, explanation and warning requirements, and internal switching policies.
New rule on expired term customers took effect
A new Financial Conduct Authority rule took effect on 22 July 2025 requiring mortgage firms to deal fairly with customers whose mortgage term has expired with a balance still outstanding.
Bank of England introduces temporary exemption to the 15% loan-to-income limit
The Bank of England introduced a temporary exemption to its 15% cap on mortgages above 4.5 times income in July 2025, letting individual lenders exceed the limit if the market as a whole does not.
PRA and FCA amend Loan-to-Income flow limit rule to apply industry-wide
The Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority have changed the loan-to-income flow limit so the 15% cap on mortgages above 4.5 times income applies across the industry rather than to each lender.
- June 2025
95% mortgage guarantee scheme made permanent
The government's 95% mortgage guarantee scheme, which was due to close on 30 June 2025, has been made permanently available, according to Which?.
Remortgaging approvals reach highest level since October 2022
Bank of England data show remortgage approvals rose to 41,800 in June 2025, the highest monthly figure since October 2022, alongside higher mortgage borrowing and consumer credit.