UK property and lending market trends

The UK property and lending market has experienced notable shifts in specific sectors, particularly regarding buy-to-let ownership and later life lending.

In the buy-to-let sector, company ownership has become a dominant model, accounting for 45.1% of properties, a figure that increases to 57.6% for landlords managing 20 or more properties. Meanwhile, the bridging loan sector saw a 15% decline in lending during Q2, though there was an increase in the use of regulated and second charge bridging loans.

Later life lending to borrowers aged 55 and over has seen significant growth. Data indicates that the total value of these loans reached £6.2 billion in Q2, representing a 20.5% year-on-year increase. While lifetime mortgages experienced a slight decline of 1.7%, retirement interest-only mortgages rose by 5.9%. Experts suggest this growth reflects a shift in how individuals utilize property wealth to support retirement income or lifestyle goals. However, industry observers have highlighted an advice gap, noting that only a small fraction of mortgage advisers are qualified to provide specialized equity release advice.