BBC plans further ‘Mortgage Madness’

Mortgage Introducer understands that the show is in the early stages of production and the final theme is yet to be decided upon.

However Michael Robinson, the show’s producer, has not ruled out revisiting the issue of self-certification, which formed the central plank of the previous two investigations.

Robinson said: “We will be looking at what happens when a market is overvalued and starts to turn. I am currently working on two shows with the other show taking priority, though I can confirm that we have begun work on a programme focusing on the housing market.”

In the his previous investigations into the mortgage market Robinson had suggested that the mis-selling of self-certification mortgages were enabling buyers to borrow beyond their means, thereby artificially fuelling the rise in house prices.

The Building Societies Association (BSA) disagreed with Robinson.

Rachel Blackmore, head of external relations, said: “It is simply not in lenders’ interest to lend money to people who can’t pay it back.”

Bernard Clarke, communications manager for the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), said: “The BBC have not been in touch with us and we do not know the nature or content of the show.”

Chris Cummings, director of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI), said he hoped the BBC would use the programme to educate the public.

“The first show raised some interesting issues and hopefully this one will help people understand mortgages better rather than terrify them,” he said.