At 28,900, the number of repossessions represented 0.26% of outstanding mortgages.
The number and proportion of mortgages ending in repossession was lower in 2013 than in any year since 2007, according to the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. At 28,900, the number of repossessions represented 0.26% of outstanding mortgages.
This compares with 33,900 repossessions and a rate of 0.30% in 2012. Repossessions have been falling steadily since their most recent peak in 2009 of 48,900 (0.43%), aided by the beneficial effect of low interest rates, relatively strong employment, and effective arrears management.
Mortgage arrears have also declined. As at the end of 2013, 1.29% of all mortgages were in arrears to the value of at least 2.5% of the loan balance (that is, at least £2,500 arrears on a £100,000 loan). This compares with 1.40% of mortgages at the end of 2012, and a peak of 1.88% in the second quarter of 2009.
Encouragingly, there has been a decline in the number of arrears cases across all categories, including the deepest arrears band of 10% or more of the mortgage balance. This arrears band fell year-on-year for the first time since the third quarter of 2010.
As at the end of 2013, 28,700 mortgages (0.26% of all mortgages) were 10% or more in arrears, down from 29,200 at the end of the previous quarter and 28,900 at the end of 2012.
Commenting on the new figures, CML director general Paul Smee said:
"Mortgage arrears and repossessions continue to fall, with low interest rates, relatively strong employment, and lender practices all combining to keep most people in their homes even if problems arise.
"Lenders recognise that temporary changes to circumstances can knock households off track - we only need to look at the experiences of households affected by flooding right now to realise that life can contain unpleasant and unforeseen shocks.
"Anyone facing difficulty should talk to their lender, who will try to work with them towards a plan that will get them back on track so that they can sustain their home-ownership for the long term."
Bev Budsworth, managing director of debt management company, The Debt Advisor, said:
“A continued reduction in both arrears and repossessions is fantastic news and coupled with the fact that the economy is now rising at its fastest rate since 2007, we are clearly turning the corner.”
“However, it’s still a mixed bag out there with around eight million or so families in the low to middle income bracket surviving - but only just. I just wonder what a different story it would have been if the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee had voted to raise interest rates last week.”
Ashley Brown, managing director of independent mortgage broker and financial advisers, Moneysprite, commented:
"It's highly encouraging that both arrears and repossession numbers continue to fall as first time buyer numbers increase. There's no doubt that the recent economic downturn failed to have the impact of other crises because interest rates were dropped to such a low level. Households that would otherwise have struggled to maintain their payments were thrown the lifeline of 0.5% rates and many thousands have stayed afloat as a result. Along with much more accommodating lenders, the arrival of more competitive rates at higher LTVs has also made it easier for people to maintain their mortgage payments.
"When rates rise it's almost certain that arrears and repossessions will rise, too. By how much depends on how quickly, and by how much, rates rise. Only this week Mark Carney reiterated that even when rates do go up they will be going up at a very sensitive pace. The Bank of England knows that raising interest rates will be like taking the patient off life support. It will have to be done with extreme care or a relapse is a very real possibility."
