The central bank is likely to ask commercial lenders to raise mortgage deposits to at least 40 percent for homebuyers who intend to buy a second apartment, a source said.

The central bank could release the new requirement later this week, the source told China Daily yesterday.

"Homebuyers might have to make a down payment of at least 40 percent to buy a second apartment," he said, adding that the move is an attempt to curb speculation in the property market, which might be intensified by rising inflation.