Thousands of UK homeowners, commonly referred to as 'mortgage prisoners', are facing increasing financial strain as they remain trapped on expensive mortgage deals, unable to switch to more competitive rates. This predicament, highlighted by Money Saving Expert, affects individuals who are up-to-date with their mortgage payments but cannot refinance due to tighter lending criteria implemented following the 2008 financial crisis.
The core of the issue lies with 'inactive' or 'closed book' lenders who no longer offer new mortgage products and have often sold off their mortgage books. When these homeowners attempt to remortgage with a new provider, they often fail to meet current, more stringent affordability assessments, even if their financial circumstances have not deteriorated. This leaves them stuck on Standard Variable Rates (SVRs) which are typically significantly higher than competitive fixed or tracker deals, a situation made worse by the recent upward trend in the Bank of England's base rate.
Money Saving Expert advises that options for mortgage prisoners, while limited, do exist. These include seeking specialist independent financial advice, which can help homeowners explore any potential avenues available to them. In some cases, existing lenders may be able to offer a Product Transfer, allowing the homeowner to switch to a new deal with the same lender without undergoing a full affordability assessment. However, this is not always available or sufficient to alleviate the financial burden.
The plight of mortgage prisoners has been a long-standing concern, with various campaigns calling for government and regulatory intervention. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced modified affordability assessments in 2019 to help some mortgage prisoners switch, but many still do not qualify. The rising cost of living and increased interest rates are intensifying the pressure on these households, with many facing the prospect of significantly higher monthly repayments.
Campaigners argue that the situation is an unintended consequence of necessary regulatory changes and that a more comprehensive solution is needed. The Government has previously indicated it is monitoring the situation, but no broad, systematic solution has yet been implemented to fully address the scale of the problem. For many, the hope remains that further action will be taken to enable them to access fairer mortgage products.
Source: Money Saving Expert