After a year in which equity release figures topped £3.6 billion, experts are predicting a record year for deals in 2019. Figures compiled by Key Retirement show the value of equity released last year was 19% up on 2017 with almost £10 million a day released in more than 47,000 deals at an average of …
Gloomy outlook for UK housing market
Surveyors say the outlook for the UK housing market for the next three months is the worst for 20 years. Members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) predicted house sales will fall over the next quarter in the most downbeat assessment since records began in 1998. Brexit uncertainty Uncertainty over what will happen …
Ban on lettings fees from June 1st
A ban on charging lettings fees by agents for the setting up of a new tenancy will be banned from June 1st.
Thousands of homes at risk
Thousands of Brits with interest-only mortgages are in danger of losing their homes this year as their loans mature. There have been repeated warnings that anyone who does not have a way of repaying the outstanding capital stands a good chance of losing their home as their deals come to an end. Billions Figures from …
Crackdown on rogue landlords
The government is to invest £2.4 million in a crackdown on rogue landlords. The cash will be shared by 50 councils nationwide to help them to take action against irresponsible landlords who make their tenants’ life a misery. Action Local councils will now be able to step up their actions against a small number of …
Four in ten will have to pay mortgage in retirement
New figures have shown that four out of ten first-time buyers will still be paying their mortgage into their retirement.
Get out of jail free card for mortgage prisoners?
Thousands of UK mortgage prisoners may be handed a get out of jail free card as the country’s financial regulator unveils plans for a relaxation of switching rules which will allow them to get out of expensive deals. In a letter to government the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it intends to take ‘immediate action’ …
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Brexit uncertainty putting off first-time buyers
Uncertainty about the effect of Brexit on the housing market is putting off first-time buyers claims a new report. Financial services provider One Family says would-be home owners are postponing their purchase in the belief that house prices will drop following the UK’s departure from the European Union at the end of March. Price growth …
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Three million homes needed to solve housing crisis
A new report by housing charity Shelter says England needs to build three million new social homes to solve the UK’s housing crisis. The government has said providing fair social housing is a priority. Current plans propose building 250,000 new homes by 2022, but only a proportion of them will be for social rent. Millions …
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Pension mis-selling payouts doubled says regulator
Concern is growing about an unfolding mis-selling scandal in pensions advice as compensation for successful claims has doubled between 2016 and 2018. Pensions expert Josephine Cumbo said payouts have been made to savers who were wrongly advised to give up ‘gold-plated’ company schemes. Problems She added that 19 firms have quit the pension transfer advice …
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