Homeowner arrears ticked up slightly in the first quarter of this year, while repossessions rose by over a third.
There were 96,580 homeowner mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding balance in Q1 2024, a 3% increase on the previous quarter.
According to the latest UK Finance figures, there were 35,320 homeowner mortgages in the lightest arrears band, which is between 2.5% and 5% of the outstanding balance, which is 2% down on the previous quarter.
Turning to buy-to-let (BTL), there were 13,570 BTL mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding balance in Q1 2024, unchanged from the previous quarter.
Within that, 6,070 BTL mortgages were in the lightest arrears band, which is between 2.5% and 5% of the outstanding balance. This is 11% down on the previous quarter.
UK Finance said that mortgages in arrears made up 1.11% of all homeowner mortgages outstanding and 0.69% of all BTL mortgages outstanding in Q1 2024.
The report noted that 870 homeowner mortgaged properties were taken into possession in the first quarter of 2024, which is 36% greater than in the previous quarter.
It also found that 600 BTL mortgaged properties were taken into possession in the same period, which is 20% higher than the prior quarter.
Arjan Verbeek, founder and CEO of Perenna, said: “The relentless rise in arrears is another worrying reminder of the instability homeowners are facing. Soaring interest rates and increasing costs have put immense pressure onto millions of households.
“It’s clear the mortgage market needs reform so people have more choice with respect to the interest rate risk they take on. Reform that we need to enact now.”
Related: Average five-year fixed rate mortgage breaches 5% for first time since January
