"Estimates suggest that since the global financial crisis 3.1 million households who would have been expected to enter homeownership based on previous trends have failed to do so. "
- Rob Thomas, economist and principal researcher at IMLA
The specialist lending market is forecast to swell from £32 billion to £54 billion by 2029 - a significant 70% increase.
Together's 2024 Residential Mortgage Market shows that the demand for specialist mortgage lending has never been higher, with lending continuing to surge over the next five years.
It classes the specialist market as supporting those with complex incomes, the self-employed and those with impaired credit, through providing products such as first and second charge, larger loans and bridging facilities.
It also covers people purchasing shared ownership and Right to Buy properties, and in many other situations where, due to having what is classed as a ‘non-standard’ profile, potential homeowners are being underserved by mainstream lenders.
Together’s research shows that the three strongest drivers of growth are shared ownership, which is expected to grow from £2.3 billion currently to £5.2 billion (a 126% increase); lending to customers that are retired, increasing from £600 million to £1.4 billion (also by 126%); and the demand for mortgages on self-build properties, increasing from £57 million to £116 million (up by 103%).
Inflationary cost challenges and the fall-out from the cost-of-living crisis are also predicted to continue to harm potential borrowers’ ability to access credit – fuelling an increasing need for support from specialist lenders.
The analysis estimates that more than one sixth of regulated mortgage lending in 2023 fell into one or more specialist categories – with the next five years forecast to grow by a further £22 billion.
Rejection rates remain higher for those considered ‘non-standard’
However, access to mortgage financing remains a challenge for those considered ‘specialist’ or ‘non-standard’. Many may find they are rejected outright by mainstream lenders using a highly automated approach when assessing mortgage applications and tighter underwriting criteria.
In the last five years, 7% of non-standard applicants were rejected, with 4% also denied financing in the last 12 months. For 9% of this group, not being able to talk with an adviser who would understand their circumstances and a general lack of information about how to secure a mortgage for non-standard applicants were the biggest challenges (8%). Of those rejected, 5% had no choice but to return to renting, and 4% gave up on homeownership altogether.
Ryan Etchells, chief commercial officer at Together, commented: “Our research highlights the true challenges faced by home buyers in the residential property market today. We can clearly see that in response to the wider economy and people’s changing lives and financial needs, the proportion of ‘non-standard’ mortgage applicants will only continue to rise. At a time when mainstream lenders are not adapting their lending criteria fast enough - the case for specialist lenders has never been clearer.
“Borrowers are turning to lenders that are willing to take time to build a relationship with them, understand their situations and use common sense to make lending decisions. With the five-year specialist market forecast looking so strong, it’s high time the industry, backed by the new Government, reassess how to best support homeowners in realising their property ambitions.”
Rob Thomas, economist and principal researcher at the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA), added: “As working patterns and lifestyles have become more diverse, there is now a growing legion of people who need the support of the specialist market.
“Estimates suggest that since the global financial crisis 3.1 million households who would have been expected to enter homeownership based on previous trends have failed to do so. Many of these households will believe that their specific characteristics block them from any chance of owning their own home when specialist lending may be able to provide the solution they need.
“Given the substantial social and financial benefits that homeownership has demonstrated over many decades it’s obvious that there is a need to improve awareness of the specialist options that might assist them in achieving their ambitions of homeownership."
