First-time buyers saw month-on-month and year-on-year increases in activity by volume and by value in September, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

Home mover lending by contrast saw a dip in September compared to August, but grew by volume and by value compared to a year ago.

Home-owner remortgage activity rebounded after a dip in August to increased levels in September both compared to a month ago and the same time last year.

Buy-to-let saw year-on-year increases by volume and by value in both buy-to-let house purchase and buy-to-let remortgage.

Meanwhile, during the third quarter of the year, first-time buyers increased in number of loans advanced and amount borrowed both in comparison to quarter two and the third quarter last year.

Home mover lending saw a similar trend to first-time buyers but the percentage increases by volume and by value were higher.

Home-owner remortgage activity saw an increase compared to the second quarter of the year, but a more substantial increase compared to the third quarter 2014.

Buy-to-let saw large quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year increases by number of loans and amount borrowed.

Paul Smee, director general of the CML, said: “The market was a slow starter this year, but this quarter shows it is now firmly on an upward trajectory. With competitive rates and high levels of product choice currently available, alongside generally improving economic conditions, we expect this to continue as we head into the new year.

“Buy-to-let continues its growth this period, but at 18% of new lending in September remains the fourth largest lending type behind first-time buyers, home movers and remortgage. There were five times as many house purchase loans to home-owners as buy-to-let landlords in September, and the growth in buy-to-let lending largely continues to reflect its more belated recovery from recession.”

Paul Hunt, Phoebus Software managing director, added: “Now that we have confirmed figures from the CML this morning we have a clear picture of the market in the third quarter and an upward path is evident. The number of first time buyers making it onto the property ladder is a good sign, but as house prices continue to rise even with the Help-to-Buy scheme this may be something that is short lived if they once again get priced out of the market.

“Buy-to-let is again showing good growth, but as has been pointed out, it remains below pre-crisis levels and is fourth on the list of lending types. It appears that despite the Bank of England making a point of keeping a watchful eye and other industry experts worrying about the rise in buy-to-let this sector still has a way to go before it can really be considered a problem to the overall housing market.”