London postcodes at highest risk of default as interest rates rise

New research reveals that 19 of the 20 postcodes with the most “risky” mortgages - defined by the Bank of England as those where the loan is at least 4.5 times the borrower's earnings - were in London. The analysis by Mazars found that Wandsworth had the most risky mortgages, worth a total of £232m, while Battersea was second with £198m and Wimbledon was third, followed by Fulham and Tooting. The only postcode outside of London in the top 20 was Maidenhead, still within the London commuter belt. Mazars partner Paul Rouse said: “Areas like Wandsworth, Wimbledon and Battersea should be attractive to homebuyers even in the worst market conditions. Lenders believe that makes houses there a good risk for them to take.”