The study, conducted by credit checking firm Equifax ahead of the introduction of the new mortgage lending rules last month, found only one in ten homeowners planned to remortgage in the next six months to reduce the risk of their monthly repayments going up should there be a rate rise.

Andrew Webb, head of Equifax Personal Solutions, said: “This could be, of course, because many have fixed rate deals that will protect them in the short term. But, with new affordability rules now in place, it’s important that homeowners plan ahead for when they are looking to change their mortgage.”

Mortgage applicants face tougher affordability questions under new rules which came into force at the end of April.

The rules require that lenders carefully scrutinise an applicant’s everyday spending habits, including outgoings on food, leisure and childcare.

When asked what types of information they think will be considered as part of mortgage applications as a result of the new affordability rules, there was a relatively good awareness among homeowners

Two thirds expect their childcare spending to be considered, while nearly half expect to be asked about their mobile phone bills and any long-term changes to their income and retirement plans.

Almost 40 per cent of homeowners plan to apply for their next mortgage in person, while 30 per cent will consult an independent financial adviser to help with the application.

Webb said: “With over three quarters of respondents to our research saying that they think it will become harder to obtain a mortgage in the future, it’s absolutely essential that people think about their finances and credit information well ahead of making new applications.”