Banks and the financial services authority AFM are in talks on relaxing the tough new rules on mortgages, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.

The banks want more room to grant higher mortgages in certain cases. Since August 1, house buyers have only been allowed to borrow up to 106% of the price of their home.
The limit is making it particularly difficult for the self employed and starters to get a foot on the housing ladder, the paper says.
Slump
The banks need the permission of the AFM to deviate from the rules.
Last week it emerged that the effect of the government’s decision to slash the property transfer tax from 6% to 2% in an effort to boost the housing market has been short lived.
After a 30% rise in new mortgage requests in July, the number of requests halved again in August, the AD reported. Estate agents blame the new rules on mortgages.