Mortgage blow as banks apply loans squeeze
MORTGAGE borrowers have been dealt another blow after two major banks heavily restricted how much they will lend to homebuyers.
The High Street giants have introduced new caps on loan sizes. Barclays has limited loans to just 4.49 times someone’s income – down from fiveand-a-half times previously.
Borrowers were given no warning of the new rule, which also applies to those who have submitted applications.
Many borrowers have already been waiting weeks as banks struggle with backlogs from when the market was frozen and soaring demand following a recent stamp duty cut.
NatWest also quietly reduced the amount some customers can borrow. The bank has issued a new mortgage calculator for brokers that restricts lending to self-employed borrowers to 4.25 time earnings – down from 4.9 times.
Mortgage advisers fear more lenders will follow suit. Homebuyers have already been facing a host of stringent new rules. Some banks will not lend to customers with small deposits or have barred borrowers using contributions from the Bank of Mum and Dad.
Others refuse to consider bonuses, overtime and furlough money in assessing how much can be borrowed.
Rachel Dixon, mortgage broker, RH Dixon, said: ‘I’m disappointed at the banks’ sudden change of rules. These decisions clearly show lenders are concerned about the future of the economy, the end of furlough, the direction of house prices. I expect more lenders to follow in coming weeks.’
Barclays’ previous highest income multiplier was reserved only for top earners or firsttime buyers using its popular family Springboard deal.
Borrowers with joint earnings of £100,000, borrowing 5.5 times their salaries, would be offered a loan of £550,000 if they had a deposit of at least 15 pc.
The new rules mean the amount they can borrow will be more than £100,000 lower.
A NatWest spokesperson said: ‘We continually review our proposition to ensure it is in line with market conditions.’ A Barclays spokesperson said: ‘We regularly review our lending policies and today have made some changes to loanto-income multiples.’