02/05/2013

Concern Over 'Interest-Only' Mortgage Payments

More than half of those in Northern Ireland with interest-only mortgages will struggle to pay off the final lump sum.

Around 40% of mortgages in the region are interest-only, according to the BBC.

However, it is understood a number of people are now in negative equity due to the housing crash occurring faster in NI than its UK counterparts.

The average shortfall could be up to £72,000.

A large number of those on interest-only mortgages now face the prospect of a sudden, and large increase in payments as they start paying off the capital, when their mortgage term ends.

The figures were released after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned about interest-only mortgages, stating hundreds of thousands of people across the UK would struggle to clear their loans.

(JP/CD)

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