The proportion of homeowner mortgages in arrears has fallen to remain at historically low levels, arrears and possessions data from UK Finance has showed.

There were 71,590 homeowner mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding balance in Q3, down 9% year-on-year.

Reportedly there were 22,300 homeowner mortgages with more significant arrears, representing 10% or more of the outstanding balance.

This figure was 8% less than in the same quarter in 2018.

There were 4,550 buy-to-let mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding balance in Q3, 5% fewer than in Q3 2018.

In regards to more significant arrears, there were 1,170 buy-to-let mortgages representing arrears that were 10% or more of the outstanding balance, down 1% year-on-year.

However, repossessions within the residential and buy-to-let markets had both risen.

This was driven in part by a backlog of historic cases which are being processed on the same basis as the latest regulatory requirements.

Some 1,330 homeowner mortgaged properties were taken into possession in Q3, 19% more than in the same quarter of the previous year.

Similarly, 800 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in Q3, up 40% year-on-year.