Related topic: Affordability

The data shows significant regional variation in how much of gross household income borrowers commit to mortgage repayments.

Principality has relaxed first-time buyer eligibility at 5.5x loan to income.

New business and product transfer fixed rates will increase by up to 0.53%.

The number of mortgages in arrears continued to fall in Q4, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of contraction.

Housing remains one of the few consistent bright spots in a subdued UK economy, the Association says.

The change means an average borrower could access up to £28,000 more.

Trudy Woolf, director of lender services at e.surv, says for many new-build households, removing an annual private charge materially changes affordability.

Continued improvement in affordability helped drive first-time buyer activity in 2025.

The extended loan term could enable borrowers to access lower monthly payments and increase their borrowing capacity.

The first-time buyer share of house purchase activity was above the long run average, supported by easier credit availability.