Tony Alexander: independent economist on the Reserve Bank bringing in debt-to-income mortgage lending restrictions - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A potential silver lining for first home buyers in possible changes to lending rules.

The Reserve Bank is proposing introducing debt to income ratios from the middle of the year.

Owner occupiers could borrow six times their income, while for investors it would be seven times.

Independent economist Tony Alexander says the central bank plans to ease up on loan-to-value ratios at the same time.

He says that will allow more lending where deposits are less than 20 percent.

"So actually, given that getting a deposit together is pretty hard for first home buyers, it could be a small net positive for them."

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