First-time buyers ‘£860 a year better off’ than renters – Scottish Housing News

Bank of Scotland research has shown that first time buyers are £860 a year better off than people who rent in Scotland. Average monthly costs associated with buying a house are £522, which is £72 less than the £593 paid for renting the same property type. This is the biggest difference in the UK, standing as a 12% difference. The UK average is just 7%

Key Takeaways:

  • New research from Bank of Scotland has concluded that first-time buyers in Scotland are on average £860 a year better off than those who rent.
  • According to the bank’s Buying versus Renting Review, the average monthly costs (including mortgage payments) associated with buying a three-bedroom house stood at £522 in December 2016 – £72 lower than the typical monthly rent of £593 paid on the same property type.
  • This 12% difference is the largest across the country compared to the UK average saving of 7%.

“Whilst deposits can raise the upfront cost of buying, it is also an important form of long-term savings for homeowners, and coupled with rising prices it contributes towards higher housing wealth. This in itself adds to the financial attractiveness of buying.”

https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/13998/first-time-buyers-860-a-year-better-off-than-renters/