The uptake of mortgages lasting 30 years or longer increased at the fastest pace on record in June, according to figures from UK Finance.
Nearly half of first-time buyers are now taking loan terms of 30 years or more amid the squeeze on household incomes.
Rising interest rates have piled on affordability pressures in a housing market where prices have continued to rise, despite fears of a recession.
The Bank of England has raised rates six consecutive times and is on course to lift its main base rate above 2% for the first time since 2008 this week.
The Times reports that two in five of the mortgages taken out in June were for more than 30 years.
UK Finance data showed that 47% of first-time buyers took up mortgages of 30 years or longer.
The average age of a first-time buyer is 32, meaning mortgages beyond 30 years will take many to close to the end of their working lives.
The digital lender Perenna was granted a licence from the Bank of England this month to offer fixed-rate mortgages that run for 50 years.