Loans for house purchase at a near 2 year low in January according to CML

March 15, 2017

New data for January released yesterday by the  Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) headlined ‘Home buying activity declines in January’.

In January, home buyers borrowed £8.4bn, first-time buyers borrowed £3.6bn for home-owner house purchase, home movers borrowed £4.9bn.

In the report CML stated: The number of loans advanced for house purchase in January was at its lowest monthly level since February 2015 – a near two year low.

Paul Smee, director general of the CML, commented: “January gives the impression of a flattish market overall, albeit one with a resurgent remortgage sector. We expect a seasonal dip in activity in the winter months and this appears to be the case in January. However, the lull in moving activity appears stubbornly persistent, and we have commissioned research on the reasons why the number of transactions seems in secular decline.

“Buy-to-let house purchase activity continues to be weak, despite strong buy-to-let remortgage levels. This will likely remain so going forward as lenders tighten affordability criteria ahead of the PRA mandated stress tests, and the introduction of tax changes in April”.

Read the CML news release with data for January in full click here.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

footfall falls
Breaking News

Comment on inflation rising to 3.3%

Industry reaction to inflation rising to 3.3% Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners, said: “Today’s uptick in UK inflation will raise fresh concerns across the property market, which is still waiting for the full economic impact of the Iran conflict to feed through. Households, buyers and developers recognise that current data is unlikely…
Read More →
Breaking News

London remains top marathon city for property values

Mayfair tops table for the world’s most expensive marathon neighbourhood as London remains priciest race city The latest analysis from Enness Global has revealed that London is currently the most expensive property market of any city hosting a World Marathon Major, with Mayfair also ranking as the world’s most expensive marathon neighbourhood for those wanting…
Read More →
Breaking News

HMRC ramps up scrutiny of residential property valuations as it cracks down on inheritance tax avoidance

  Taxman’s requests for help from the Valuation Office Agency with property valuations in IHT returns rises nearly 25% Rise reflects HMRC’s increased efforts to recover revenue from underreported and misvalued estates.   HM Revenue & Customs is increasingly challenging residential property valuations in inheritance tax (IHT) returns, with the number of cases referred to…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 22/4/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The Building Centre launches ‘Small Scale Big Ideas’ a month-long exhibition What architecture can achieve when scale is a discipline, not a constraint.   The Building Centre is pleased to announce Small Scale Big Ideas, a major exhibition and public programme running throughout May 2026…
Read More →
Commercial Agent Talk

London office workers want better workspaces, not free lunches

The latest research by BPS London has found that London office workers are more interested in better quality workspaces than superficial perks such as free breakfasts and lunches, with 63% saying they would be more willing to work from the office more regularly if their workplace was more modern, comfortable and better equipped. BPS London commissioned a…
Read More →
Breaking News

The hottest prime property markets outside of London

The latest analysis from Enness Global has revealed that whilst London continues to dominate England’s prime property market, Elmbridge ranks as the nation’s leading hotspot outside of the capital when it comes to homes sold for £3m or more. Enness Global analysed Land Registry transaction data, looking at where homes sold for £3m or more…
Read More →