The big news for the UK property market in December is the first rise in interest for three years! The predictions from various lenders are a less frenetic housing market in 2022 .
These are just some of the headlines this month in December’s UK property market update. Read on to find out more!
Interest rates rise for the first time in 3 years
The Bank of England has increased interest rates for the first time since August 2018, the highest for 10 years.
Homeowners with tracker or variable mortgages, it is likely to mean an increase in monthly repayments averaging £10 to £15.
Around two million homeowners will be affected, but with fixed- rate mortgages being popular, the change won’t impact all property owners immediately.
The interest rate increase has been rumoured for some months and is a response to inflation levels reaching 5.1% way ahead of the Bank of England’s 2% target.
UK house price boom expected to end in 2022
One of the UK’s biggest lenders is forecasting an end to the current housing boom next year.
According to Halifax, market growth is likely to remain ‘broadly flat’ in 2022, following two years of remarkable growth.
Following increases of 6% in 2020 and 8% in 2021, the lender is predicting growth of 2% at most, with a flat market being the more likely scenario.
The main reason for this slowdown is the rise in household goods and bills, meaning a squeeze on budgets for many households
Bank of England plans to relax mortgage affordability rules
In positive news for first-time buyers, the BoE has revealed its plans to make mortgages more attainable.
As part of the current criteria, homeowners have to prove they could meet repayments on lender’s standard variable rate if they increase by 3%.
However, early next year, the bank will be meeting with big-name lenders and industry experts to discuss withdrawing the outdated rule.
The rule was one of many affordability rules introduced in 2014 following the 2008 financial crisis. Its aim was to ensure that a sharp rise in interest rates wouldn’t result in people not affording their payments.
However, at that time, interest rates were forecast to increase to 2.25% over the next five years. Currently, interest rates stand at 0.25%, and latest forecasts indicate that any rise in interest rates will be slow.
If the planned rule change does come in, it’s likely to be a big boost for first-time buyers, many of whom wouldn’t meet the affordability criteria under the current rules.
Survey reveals just how much parents are willing to help their children get on to the property ladder!
A study by Zoopla has revealed some of the eye-watering figures parents are willing to gift their children to get them on the property ladder.
According to the study, the average amount forked out by parents to help with a deposit is £32,440, while 14% of the parents polled have given them upwards of £50,000.
The findings also revealed that an incredible 64% of parents of homeowners gave them at least some money towards their deposit.
And it doesn’t stop once the kids have fled the nest either! The results also showed that 36% of parents have helped with their offspring’s rent or mortgage payments at some point.
Council finds unique way to solve housing crisis
One council has come up with a novel way of solving the housing crisis in its area.
West Devon Borough Council is offering money to tenants who downsize, as part of its efforts to tackle a shortage of affordable family housing.
Anyone with a council rented property who moves to a smaller home will be given a £1,000 fixed payment, plus £500 per bedroom they release.
So, a couple who downsize from a three-bedroom house to a one-bedroom flat, would receive a payment of £2,000. The council has confirmed that in some cases, the payment could be as high as £5,000 where housing stock is particularly pressurised.
Devon County Council’s leader has spoken openly about a housing crisis in the county, due to rising house prices and a lack of rental properties, and it’s hoped the new scheme will go some way towards combating the issue.
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