Buy-to-let sector to continue to grow, but at slower pace in 2017, says CML

The end of 2016 saw a significant increase in remortgaging, with figures hitting a seven-year high in October, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

The new data from the CML showed that re-mortgage activity for October grew by the previous year and the highest amount since 2009.

The Council has also predicted that borrowing in the buy-to-let sector would continue well into the new year, but in lower volumes due to the ever-increasing taxation and legislation in the sector.

This was evident in the figures with landlord borrowing rising by just 7 per cent to £3 billion in October, compare to a 21 per cent rise recorded during the same period just a year earlier.

Paul Smee, Director General of the CML, said: “Buy-to-let house purchase lending remains weak following the change to stamp duty on second properties in April.

“With lenders now tightening affordability criteria ahead of the Prudential Regulation Authority’s stress tests and the forthcoming tax relief changes next year, these lower volumes are likely to be the new normal.”

In comparison, mortgage lending figures revealed an 11 per cent slow down on last year, with homeowners borrowing £10.5 billion for house purchase, a drop of 8 per cent for the month.

Monthly lending to first-time buyers also dropped by 8 per cent to £4.5 billion, equating to just 28,900 loans as buyers struggle to save the necessary deposits, despite the various schemes offered by the government.

Peter Williams, Executive Director of IMLA (Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association), said: “October’s lending figures are indicative of a market that is still finding its feet after a tumultuous year. It has had to cope with significant changes to Stamp Duty along with the ongoing ramifications of Brexit. Considering all that it has had to contend with, the market has proven itself to be remarkably robust, with lending figures roughly the same as they were at the beginning of the year.

“The re-mortgage market has taken off this year with the total value of such loans now at their highest rate since the beginning of 2009, as consumers continue to take advantage of the historically low interest rates. However, with swap rates rising, now is probably a good time to re-mortgage as the best deals might not be around for too much longer.

“The strong re-mortgage figures will come as no surprise to IMLA’s members, who earlier this year predicted that the re-mortgage market had the best prospects for growth.

“The buy-to-let market has clearly been badly affected by the raft of changes that have been made this year. Changes which may yet have unintended consequences. With a slow-down in buy-to-let lending, it is likely that the supply of high quality housing in the private rented sector could suffer.”

For more information on Moore Thompson’s range of services for the buy to let sector, please contact us.