Research found 12% of UK adults plan to take out a mortgage in the next year to either buy a first home, move between properties or remortgage an existing house.

More than a quarter (28%) of these said they could only afford to do so with the help of a government scheme like Help to Buy.

A further 26% said they could only afford a mortgage with financial support from parents or family with only a third (32%) stating they could obtain a mortgage without any assistance.

The research also said more than 40% of adults surveyed were planning to take out a mortgage between now and the end of 2016, the date when the Help to Buy scheme is expected to end.

Brian Murphy, head of lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau, said: “People are fast realising the wind is blowing in their favour when it comes to joining or moving up the property ladder. 

“Buyers are voting with their feet and we are seeing great enthusiasm for low deposit mortgages. The type of 95% mortgages encouraged by Help to Buy are familiar products and part of what’s needed in a healthy market to cater for the full range of buyer needs.

“Helping remove the need for hefty deposits is where government support has really come into its own. Some lenders have joined the official scheme while others are offering 95% mortgages on their own. Either way, the end result for homebuyers is better access to mortgages they can realistically afford.

“Lenders are being careful to lend responsibly, with affordability checks in place to protect borrowers against future rate rises. Government help means the Bank of Mum and Dad can take a well-earned break with affordable mortgages in better supply.”