The CML has also reported that total gross mortgage lending rose 20.8% in May to £14.7bn, from £12.2bn in April. As a result, remortgages now represent 27% of the market.
LMS estimates that the total number of remortgage loans in May increased by 12.7% to 27,087 compared with 24,041 in April. This figure, however, is down 10.8% on this time last year.
The average remortgage loan amount has risen by 3.9% over the past month and now stands at £145,754. This is the highest figure we have on record.
Commenting on the latest figures, Andy Knee, Chief Executive of LMS says:
“May marks yet another month of growth for the remortgage sector, with the total remortgage lending figure rising by 17.1% to £3.9bn. These heights have not been seen since October of last year. Despite a considerable increase in gross mortgage lending, remortgages continue to account for more than a quarter of the market.
“The average loan per person is at an all-time high, with an average of £19,325 being released to spend of paying off debts or to supplement income.
“We have seen a brilliant start to the year and we expect it to continue as the Funding for Lending Scheme continues to encourage competitive rates for remortgage customers.”
