Home repossessions slide to lowest since crisis ahead of interest rate hike
The lowest number of homes were repossessed in the first half of 2014 than in any six month period since 2006, according to figures released yesterday.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) yesterday showed that 11,800 homes were repossessed in the first half of the year, down from 15,600 in the first half of 2013. In the first have of 2009 there were more than twice as many homes repossessed, with 25,400 properties seized.
The number of repossessions in the second quarter alone dropped to 5,400, the lowest since the first quarter of 2008.
Although the number of repossessions has now dropped to a near-eight year low, analysts are now noting that interest rate hikes yet to come will drive the figure back up.
Richard Sexton, director of chartered surveyors e.surv, said: “Hiking interest rates would rapidly push up repayments, and so delaying the rate rise will offer further reprieve for struggling borrowers.” He added that linking a rate hike to wage growth is a “smart move”.