Repayment Mortgage

A repayment mortgage is a type of home loan where the borrower pays back both the principal amount borrowed and the interest on the loan in monthly instalments over the term of the mortgage. By the end of the term, the entire loan is paid off, and the borrower owns the property outright.

What is a Repayment Mortgage

In the property market, a repayment mortgage is one of the most common types of mortgages chosen by homeowners. This mortgage structure is designed to gradually reduce the outstanding balance of the loan through monthly payments that cover both interest and part of the principal amount. The term of a repayment mortgage typically ranges from 15 to 30 years, depending on the agreement between the borrower and the lender.

The key advantage of a repayment mortgage is the clear path it provides to full homeownership, with the loan balance decreasing and equity increasing over time. Initially, the majority of the monthly payment is made up of interest, but as the loan balance decreases, the proportion of the payment covering the principal amount increases. This mortgage type offers financial predictability and security, as it guarantees that the property will be fully owned by the borrower at the end of the term, assuming all payments are made as agreed.

Repayment mortgages are suited to borrowers looking for a straightforward approach to paying off their home loan, with a consistent monthly payment amount that gradually reduces the debt. It's an especially appealing option in a stable or rising property market, where the value of the property is likely to appreciate over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Repayment Mortgage is a term that you may have heard before, but you might not be sure what it means. Here are some common questions and answers to help you understand what it means.

The total monthly payment amount on a repayment mortgage typically remains the same throughout the term of the loan, but the composition of the payment changes. In the early years, a larger portion of each payment covers interest, while later payments increasingly go towards reducing the principal. This shift is due to the decreasing loan balance, which lowers the amount of interest accrued.
Making overpayments on a repayment mortgage can reduce the term of the mortgage and save on the total amount of interest paid over the life of the loan. Most lenders allow overpayments up to a certain percentage of the loan balance per year without penalty, but it's important to check your mortgage terms, as there may be charges for early repayment.
The main disadvantage of a repayment mortgage is that the monthly payments can be higher than those for an interest-only mortgage, at least in the initial years, since payments cover both interest and principal. This might make budgeting more challenging for some borrowers in the short term. However, this is balanced by the long-term benefit of fully owning the property at the end of the mortgage term.