More brokers searched for information on temporary loan-to-value restrictions than any other aspect of lending criteria in August for the sixth month in a row, figures from Knowledge Bank reveal.

Within the residential mortgage category, this was followed by “maximum age at end of term”; “self-employed one year’s accounts”, “Help to Buy equity loan scheme” and “Covid-19 furloughed workers” as the most-searched-for criteria terms.

Among buy-to-let searches, the most popular queries were for “lending to limited companies”; followed by “first-time landlord”; “requirement to be a home owner” and “minimum income interest-only/ part-and-part single applicant” suggesting that brokers are seeing interest from novice property investors with modest means.

Searches for “holiday lets” were the fifth most popular in the buy-to-let category reflecting growing appetite for short-term rentals after fears over ongoing travel restrictions boosted prospects for the UK staycation market.

Within the second-charge market, maximum loan-to-values also dominated criteria searches, followed by “child benefit”; “right to buy” and “capital raising to purchase a buy-to-let”.

Meanwhile equity release brokers searched for “maximum loan amount”; “early repayment charges”; “minimum loan amount”; “flat roofs” and “debt management plan”.

The latter search term suggests more borrowers are turning to lifetime mortgages to alleviate financial pressures.

Knowledge Bank lender relationship manager Matthew Corker says: “Broker criteria searches in August provided clear signs that the housing market is still being affected by Covid-19. 

“It is evident that there is growing concern around mortgage eligibility with consumers across the board, particularly those looking for higher LTV mortgages. 

“The looming end to the furlough scheme also continues to feature prominently as those on furlough attempt to get mortgages approved before their furlough ends. 

“In a similar vein, more first-time buyers are increasingly reliant on family members to give them a helping hand to get on to the property ladder, which is impacting the maximum age at the end of the mortgage and may also have a longer-term impact on equity release options. 

“Coronavirus has impacted consumer habits, and we are beginning to see the wider trends taking place as a result of this with buyers and lenders alike.”