The UK mortgage market experienced a notable decline in search activity in May 2026, with overall searches falling year-on-year. This downturn highlights a shift towards a more cautious approach among borrowers and investors, as residential and buy-to-let searches also decreased significantly.
What caused the decline in mortgage market searches?
The data from Twenty7tec indicates that mortgage searches fell month-on-month in May 2026, suggesting a cooling off after a period of heightened activity earlier in the year. Residential mortgage searches saw a significant decrease compared to the same month last year. This decline can be attributed to rising economic uncertainty and changing borrower sentiment.
How do residential and buy-to-let searches compare in the mortgage market?
Residential remortgage searches saw a significant drop year-on-year. Meanwhile, searches for purchasing residential properties also decreased. First-time buyer activity was particularly affected, with searches falling notably. In the buy-to-let sector, searches decreased year-on-year, with buy-to-let purchase mortgage searches declining sharply compared to the previous year.
What this means for borrowers and landlords in the mortgage market
For potential buyers and landlords, the drop in mortgage searches signals a more cautious environment in the mortgage market. First-time buyers may find it increasingly challenging to enter the market, while landlords could face a tougher market for securing financing. However, despite the reduced search activity, mortgage product availability increased in May, which could provide new opportunities for those looking to remortgage or invest.
