An HSBC poll of more than 1,700 UK homeowners found that nearly one in six applied for their current mortgage online.

This is set to double, with a third saying they are likely to apply for their next mortgage over the internet.

The study revealed that almost four in five householders who applied online would do so again, suggesting they had a positive experience, while 44 per cent of those who applied in-branch would take it to the net next time around.

Younger homeowners were the most likely to apply online – 53 per cent of 25-34 year olds plan to do so, compared to 19 per cent of over-55s.

Regionally, Londoners were the most likely to use an online DIY mortgage process.

However, it is clear consumers still value advice with 47 per cent of homeowners who expect to re-mortgage planning to speak to an adviser face-to-face for their next application.

Peter Dockar, head of mortgages at HSBC, said: “With current and prospective homeowners becoming more comfortable with the convenience and control of managing their finances online, and with the time taken to complete the mortgage application process reduced to just 30 minutes, it is perhaps less of a surprise that online mortgage applications are set to double.”