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Revealed: the UK areas with largest levels of mortgage debt

Revealed: the UK areas with largest levels of mortgage debt
Christina Hoghton
Written By:
Posted:
06/06/2025
Updated:
06/06/2025

South West London is the local authority with the most mortgage debt in the UK.

That’s according to bridging loan specialists bridgingfinancelondon.com, which analysed UK Finance data to investigate the UK local authorities with the highest levels of mortgage debt per household.

The research analysed the approximate mortgage debt per household in local authorities across the UK. The ranking was calculated by dividing the total amount of outstanding loan payments by the number of households in each local authority. 

Kingston upon Thames was identified as the area with the second highest mortgage debt rate, with East Central London following in third.

Bromley and Watford completed the top five.

Matthew Archer, MD of bridgingfinancelondon.com said: “Areas with higher house prices typically have higher levels of mortgage debt, because the amount you take out for your mortgage loan is directly tied to the cost of the house that you’re buying.

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“Additionally, some areas may be more likely to have fixed mortgage rate deals, which ensure a consistent repayment rate, as opposed to variable rate deals that increase in interest, adding to the amount of debt a homeowner owes. 

“Since mortgage expense correlates with local property value, London dominates the national ranking of areas with the most mortgage debt, occupying eight of the top 10 spots. The South East claims the other two, with St Albans and Slough ranking sixth and eighth, respectively. Harrogate is the highest-placing Northern city, sitting at number 37, whereas Edinburgh is the top city outside of England at number 43. 

“Another factor to consider is the average age of the local population, as older homeowners will have likely paid off more of their mortgage loan. Since London and the surrounding areas are home to many young working professionals, they will be less likely to have paid off a significant chunk of their mortgage. On the other hand, according to 2023 ONS figures, Wales had the oldest population in the UK, which could explain why no Welsh areas appear in the top 50.”

Below are the top 10 areas with the highest levels of mortgage debt:

Rank 

Area (Lower tier local authorities) 

Region 

Approximate mortgage debt per household 

1. 

South West London 

London 

£109,134.39  

2. 

Kingston upon Thames 

London 

 £95,614.50  

3. 

East Central London 

London 

 £91,374.77  

4. 

Bromley 

London 

 £82,813.18  

5. 

Watford 

London 

 £78,409.59  

6. 

St Albans 

South East 

 £77,833.96  

7. 

North West London 

London 

 £75,720.90  

8. 

Slough 

South East 

 £74,310.11  

9. 

Guildford 

London 

 £72,492.22  

10. 

Twickenham 

London 

 £72,353.96