Updated: 14/09/2024
The concept of Interest-Only Mortgages in the UK is that you would only pay the actual interest accrued on the outstanding mortgage loan amount every month. So the question is an Interest-Only Mortgage affordable needs explaining, as you would not be paying towards reducing the capital amount borrowed for your property.
The actual mortgage loan on an Interest-Only Mortgage would then be paid back at the end of the loan period (Twenty years/ Twenty-five years or however long a period you took it out for), meaning you would have to make sure that you have the financial means available to you, to repay the whole amount of the debt.
This is the difference from a Repayment Mortgage, where you basically pay the loan amount back with the interest each month.
Who is an Interest-Only Mortgage for?
Generally, this type of mortgage is aimed towards a Landlord and a Buy-to-Let Mortgage.
Also, buyers who want to benefit from lower payments each month, make budgeting easier and more affordable.
Why Choose an Interest-Only Mortgage?
As mentioned earlier, an interest-only mortgage is a type of mortgage where you only pay back the interest on the money you borrow each month. The rest of the loan is then repaid at the end of the term.
To be accepted for an interest-only mortgage, lenders need to see that you have a solid repayment plan in place. This can come in the form of a reliable investment, ISA, or other savings scheme.
What are the advantages of an Interest-Only Mortgage?
1. Low monthly payments
Well, your monthly repayments will generally be much lower than other Mortgage products on the market. When considering your finances for your purchase, if your preference when you are looking to buy a property is to keep your monthly payments low, then consider an Interest-Only Mortgage as one of your options. These types of mortgages typically have lower monthly payments than repayment mortgages, so you can afford to make more savings on your home while also paying off your debt faster.
The key is to choose a lender that offers an interest-only mortgage deal that suits you and your circumstances. Often, the best deals are only available through a mortgage broker, so it’s worth talking to one before applying for an interest-only mortgage.
A good mortgage broker will compare all the deals that are currently on the market and help you to find a mortgage that’s right for you. They will also provide a personalized mortgage recommendation that includes an explanation of how an interest-only mortgage could work for you and any risks involved.
This type of mortgage is most commonly used by landlords who use rental income to cover the mortgage repayment on a property. However, it can also be a viable option for people who don’t have a large deposit or equity in another property.
There are also some lenders that offer this type of mortgage for first-time buyers, but it’s usually only a short-term option and won’t be suitable for everyone. You’ll need a strong repayment plan to repay the loan amount at the end of the mortgage term, and the lender will want to know how you’re going to do it.
An interest-only mortgage may be the best option for you if you’re willing to save up a lump sum and can afford to pay it off over the course of a few years. You can save up for this in a variety of ways, such as putting your money into a savings account or investing in an investment portfolio.
However, if you’re worried about not being able to pay off the mortgage by the end of your mortgage term, it’s important to be aware that the lender has the legal right to repossess your home at any time. If you’re struggling to make your repayments, it’s always worth talking to an independent financial advisor or mortgage specialist.
2. No repayments at the end of the term
A lot of people choose an Interest-Only Mortgage in the UK because they want to pay only interest on their mortgage. But you’ll still need to repay the capital at the end of your mortgage term, so it’s important to have a repayment strategy in place.
Lenders will often ask you to explain how you plan to repay your mortgage at the end of your term – for example, by investing money or selling your property. They’ll need this information in order to assess your financial situation and ensure you can afford your mortgage payments, even if interest rates go up or other circumstances change.
In addition, they’ll look at your credit history and will want to see that you have a strong repayment strategy in place. That means having a pension, savings account, investments, or property that will run alongside your mortgage and deliver the returns needed to repay the loan at the end of the term.
You can also choose to opt for a retirement interest-only mortgage, which is specifically designed for older borrowers. These work in a similar way to regular interest-only mortgages, but they don’t have a fixed end date and only repay the loan when you die, move into long-term care, or sell your home.
The good news is that you don’t need to be 55 years old to get one of these mortgages – as long as you can prove you can meet the monthly payments, they can be suitable for anyone aged 55 or over.
3. No penalty for paying off early
The Interest-Only Mortgage allows the borrower to pay only the interest on the loan each month. This can be repaid in a number of ways, including using savings or investments. Paying off the debt with supplemental income from sources like a second job or investing in real estate or stocks and bonds are two such methods.
Making greater than usual payments each month and then switching to a repayment mortgage at the conclusion of the mortgage’s term is another possibility. This will help you reduce your loan balance and pay it off faster.
(If you decide to switch, you should know that your current lender may impose early repayment fees on you).
You may be able to avoid prepayment penalties on an interest-only mortgage if you have a fixed rate or special discount and make your payments on time every month. These costs typically decrease throughout the course of the mortgage’s term.
If you pay off your mortgage early, some lenders may charge you a percentage prepayment penalty for the remaining debt. If you’re trying to pay off your loan early to save money on interest, this is a big expense to take into account before making a mortgage move.
It might not be worthwhile, though, if you have to pay off your mortgage early due to an unexpected financial emergency, such as losing your job. If you want to refinance your house to lower your interest payments, it makes more sense to wait until the interest is no longer tax-deductible, or to obtain a cheaper loan, and do so at that time.
There will be no taxes on investment profits
There is no capital gains tax in the United Kingdom (UK) (As we write this article), if you hold an Interest Only Mortgage. As a result, you can use the money you save from not having to pay interest on the mortgage to make a new investment, as well as to pay off the mortgage entirely.
There are, however, other expenses related to selling your property that must be taken into account. Those extra loans you took out to pay for the renovations and adjustments are included here as well as any repairs or enhancements you made.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, you might be able to deduct these costs from your capital gains when you sell the home. Those who have invested a great deal of time and money into their home may benefit from this.
The amount of CGT you owe may also be affected by changes in your income, so keep that in mind. For instance, if you have reaped substantial profits from renting out your buy-to-let home, you may be subject to higher CGT rates upon its eventual sale.
Consult a trusted financial advisor if you’re unsure whether or not you’ll owe capital gains tax when selling your home. Your personal situation and the length of time you’ve owned the property will determine this.
Also, it’s worth checking on Private Residence Relief. Basically, if the home you’re selling is also your primary residence, presently you won’t have to pay capital gains tax on the profit you make from the sale (PPR). (Check first).
The Disadvantages of an Interest-Only Mortgage?
You will need to plan ahead and ensure you accumulate the necessary funding to repay in full the outstanding amount of your Interest-Only Mortgage loan.
You will also have to have a form of Life Insurance running alongside the Interest-Only Mortgage to ensure it covers the repayment of the outstanding loan in case of death. You will also have to pay back interest on the whole loan, rather than a decreasing amount, which may well cost more than a Repayment Mortgage overall.
Is an Interest-Only Mortgage Affordable?
Talking to a mortgage broker is the best method to determine if an interest-only loan is right for you. They will research the market and suggest the most beneficial options for you. As an added service, they may assist you in developing a strategy to ensure that you are always able to pay off your mortgage in full by its maturity date.
Updated 2024