Almost a quarter of homeowners with a mortgage are experiencing financial stress

Almost a quarter of homeowners with a mortgage are struggling with financial uncertainties, according to the Housing Costs Monitor of the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG). “There is much more going on than it seems,” says NHG board chairman Carla Muters in Goedemorgen Nederland on NPO 1.

The NHG maps out the current situation with the centenary sentiment of homeowners. The Housing Cost Monitor shows that this group is concerned, while the financial picture looks better than ever. “The arrears on a mortgage are very low, which makes the problems seem minor,” says Muters.

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‘Home owners are concerned’

NHG investigated how homeowners experience their monthly (housing) expenses, compared to their income. Are housing costs still affordable or are they behind on their mortgage? Positive figures are being discussed about the latter. Only 2 percent are still behind, but in practice that does not mean that there are no financial problems. “Home owners are indeed concerned,” Muters concludes after the study.

The monitor shows that one in five homeowners with a mortgage had difficulty paying their mortgage payments in the past year. A small group of 3 percent indicates that they have ‘a lot of difficulty’. Especially in the provinces of North Holland and South Holland, homeowners experience problems with mortgage costs.

Not all homeowners can absorb a financial setback with their current salary. One in five needs to take extra action for this. For example, by working extra or by selling things.

Financial situation

Nearly a quarter (22.8 percent) of homeowners with a mortgage are concerned about their financial situation. They experience stress or have a feeling of powerlessness. NHG sees an increase in this group. From a similar study from June 2023, it was still one in five who indicated that they had these feelings.

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With the new insights, NHG calls on municipalities, mortgage providers and consumers: “Register to see how we can help people better.”

Middle class under tension

According to electoral geographer Josse de Voogd, this is “a sign that the middle class is under tension”. Dissatisfaction is increasing, he says. “The concerns no longer lie only with the most vulnerable groups. It seeps up.”

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