UK Finance: Lenders are committed to providing ongoing support to those borrowers that are impacted by Covid-19

• Latest figures from UK Finance show 1.82 million mortgage payment holidays have been issued as of 20 May 2020 – equivalent to one in six mortgages.
• Lenders are committed to helping those customers that need assistance at this time.
• The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) draft guidance, and related PRA draft guidance, published following extensive industry, regulator and government collaboration, provide important clarity on how the regulators will continue to work with the industry to facilitate the provision of the right kind of support for those customers that need it ! 
• Lenders also commit to continue the moratorium on involuntary repossessions for residential and buy-to-let customers to 31 October 2020, helping provide borrowers with reassurance that they will not have their homes repossessed at this difficult time.

One in six mortgages are now covered by a payment holiday, with more than 1.82 million mortgage borrowers having been granted a payment holiday by lenders.

Lenders welcome the FCA’s draft guidance consultation published today, and the PRA’s related publication, on the next steps for those borrowers already on payment holidays who may require continued support due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on their financial circumstances. As the FCA ack n! owledges, it is important that customers receive the support that is right for them. 

For customers that have already taken a payment holiday on their mortgage, it may be appropriate in some circumstances for this to be extended. The range of support available to customers unable to meet their normal repayments include reduced payments, a move to interest only payments for a period, extending the term of the mortgage to reduce payments, taking a payment holiday if the customer has not already done so or a further extension of the payment holiday, depending on the borrower’s circumstances. Where possible, borrowers will be able to explore their options online.

In addition, an extension of the moratorium on involuntary repossessions until 31 October 2020 on residential and buy-to-let possession action will provide people with reassurance that they will not have their homes repossessed at this difficult time.

Borrowers who are concerned about their ability to make payments should get in touch with their lenders to consider the full set of options available to them.

Stephen Jones, UK Finance CEO, said:

“Mortgage lenders are committed to providing those borrowers nearing the end of their three-month payment holiday with help and flexibility in choosing the next steps which best suit their needs. The industry looks forward to regulatory guidance being finalised swiftly to ensure both borrowers and lenders can plan over the coming weeks. Meanwhile those borrowers who have already taken a mortgage payment holiday and can afford to make payments are encouraged to do so, as this will reduce the level of their repayments in the long run.

“For those borrowers who have not already applied for a mortgage payment holiday, the industry supports the extension of the availability of payment holidays until 31 October 2020 as this will provide much-needed breathing space for borrowers who need it. Lenders are also committed to the moratorium on involuntary repossessions to ensure no homeowner loses the roof over their head because of COVID-19 related repayment difficulties.

“A payment holiday may not be the right choice for everyone, and borrowers should only apply if they need one. We would encourage any borrowers concerned about their financial situation to check with their lender, starting by looking at their website which will have the latest information on the support available.” 

Ends

For more information please call the UK Finance press office on 020 7416 6750 or email press@ukfinance.org.uk

Notes to Editor

1. UK Finance is the collective voice for the banking and finance industry. Representing more than 250 firms across the industry, we act to enhance competitiveness, support customers and facilitate
2. Figures relate to the total first charge mortgage market, grossed up from a representative sample up to 20 May 2020. The figures include both residential and buy-to-let mortgages, and may be subject to modest revision as firms identify double-counting and other anomalies in previous daily totals.
3. There are currently 10,970,000 outstanding first charge mortgages in place in the UK, meaning the mortgage payment holidays in place account for 16 per cent of total mortgages or slightly over one in six.
4. PRA statement provides further information on the application of regulatory capital and IFRS 9 requirements to payment holidays granted or extended to address the challenges of Covid-19.
5. The value of the average interest payment deferred each month (£260) and the average value of suspended payments per month (£755) is calculated using the average interest rate (2.37 per cent) on an average loan size (£132,128) in the UK. These figures are correct as of 31 December 2019.
6. More information on the measures introduced to support mortgage customers impacted by Covid-19 is available here. These measures include:
   • A three-month moratorium on residential and buy-to-let possession action, giving customers reassurance that they will not have their homes repossessed at this difficult time.
   • Offering payment holidays to all buy-to-let landlords whose tenants have lost income because of the impact of Covid-19, with landlords expected to pass on this relief to their tenants to ensure that they are supported during this time.
   • Offering customers who have exchanged contracts for a house purchase the option to extend their mortgage offer for up to three months to enable them to move at a later date.
7. Possessions can still go ahead if the property is empty or the customers has requested the possession to continue.
8. In line with FCA guidance, customers will continue to be charged interest during the payment holiday unless their lender has told them otherwise.