Cost of housing falls by six per cent
Between April 2008 and April 2010, the average annual cost associated with owning and running a home fell by £544 from £9,564 to £9,020. In real terms (i.e. after allowing for retail price inflation), the cost of housing has fallen by nine per cent. Housing costs in the UK are now equivalent to 27 per cent of gross average full-time earnings, down from 30 per cent in 2008.
The fall in the cost of housing since 2008 has been driven by a 19 per cent (£881) decline in mortgage payments (interest and capital repayments). The average mortgage rate paid by existing borrowers fell by 2.13 percentage points between April 2008 and April 2010 from 5.80 per cent to 3.67 per cent.
Regionally, London (£11,762) and the South East (£10,457) have the highest average annual costs of owning and running a home. Housing costs are lowest in Northern Ireland (£7,331).
Home owning and running costs as a percentage of gross average full-time earnings are lowest in London (24 per cent) despite the capital having the highest absolute costs. However, with the level of earnings varying considerably across the capital, housing costs will be much less affordable for a significant number of households. Housing costs are highest in relation to earnings in the East of England (31 per cent).
Over the past year, the average expenses associated with owning and running a home have increased by 1.3 per cent (£116). This is less than a third of the rise in retail prices (5.3 per cent).
Suren Thiru, housing economist at Halifax, commented: "Over the last two years, the cost associated with owning and running a home in the UK has fallen, entirely as a consequence of reduced mortgage payments. The drop in housing costs has helped to ease the strain on household's finances, providing some relief to homeowners during the economic downturn."
Date: 30th, June, 2010
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