This is because some homeowners are currently stuck on a high repayment deal, and have been denied the opportunity to access a cheaper deal.
The EU Mortgage Credit Directive impact on remortgaging has introduced new rules on mortgage affordabilty.
Martin explained: “Sensible rules have been introduced to ensure that first-timers can afford their mortgages, but the same rules are also being applied to those just switching their mortgage deal.
“This has led to the farce of some people being told ‘you can’t afford a cheaper mortgage’.
“When challenged on this, the EU tells me that this is due to how our regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) interprets the directive, while the FCA says it has no choice and that it’s an EU rule.”
Martin has campaigned on this issue, meeting with former Chancellor George Osborne.
He said: “I’ve met George Osborne on it and had some limited success but there is a long way to go.”
Explaining how Brexit could directly affect the implementation of this directive, Martin said: “The UK will no longer be bound by this directive once we leave in a couple of years. Until then, the question is: can the FCA reinterpret?”
Since Brexit was announced, Martin continued he had “continued working on this”.
He continued: “We put in an Autumn Statement Budget Submission, and there’s definitely sympathy to this view out there.
“But most of the feedback still suggests that little can be done while we’re in the EU. I’m not stopping here though.
“I’ve heard good mutterings from the powers that be on this. They want us to put together a dossier of evidence of people affected and we’re working on that at the moment.”
When a buying a property, you also face high rates of stamp duty – another cost to worry about on top of mortgages.
But one property expert has revealed how to slash stamp duty with four simple tips.
Stamp duty rates have risen in the last twelve months after former Chancellor George Osborne raised them.
His hike was on properties above £900,000, so homes at the top end of the market are seeing a slump as buyers try to avoid higher costs.
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