New mortgage rules ‘will stop another boom… but rents could explode’

The central bank’s proposed new mortgage rules will result in rents pushing above boom levels in urban areas, according to estate agents.

Rents in some areas are roughly 10% off their 2007 peaks already.

The proposed mortgage guidelines would require most potential home buyers to come up with a 20% minimum deposit, and most loans will be for a maximum of three-and-a-half times the borrower’s income.

However, there is a fear that the effect of new mortgage rules will be felt most strongly in urban areas, meaning as more people turn to rental property, rents will creep up.

The Real Estate Alliance is calling for the Central Bank to consider introducing different requirements for each part of the ‘three-tier market’ that exists in Ireland.

This consists of  Dublin, followed by the commuter counties and large urban areas nationwide such as Galway and Cork, and finally, the rest of the country.

“We call for the Central Bank to acknowledge the three tier market by introducing realistic brackets for different house prices, which would assist in removing the geographical inequities which are apparent in the sector,” chief executive Philip Farrell.

The price of an average house can range from €60,000 in some counties to €425,000 in particular parts of Dublin and as result of this, people buying in the capital may require a net deposit of €70-80,000.

The Irish Times reported yesterday that Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan is expected to announce the full details of the proposed mortgage caps next week.

He said at the IMF conference on Monday that there was ‘some resistance’ to the new plans.

Farrell stressed that the Real Estate Alliance is welcoming plans to ensure the market is kept under control – but notes that it is untested in an economy like Ireland’s.

“There is absolute merit in what the Central Bank are introducing and it is to be welcomed in assisting in the prevention of a property bubble in the future,” he said.

“This has proven successful in particular parts of the world, especially Asia. However, it remains somewhat untested in this part of the world.”

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New mortgage rules ‘will stop another boom… but rents could explode’