New mortgage rates rise as lenders seek to shore up battered finaances

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:17:32 GMT

Banks and building societies are raising rates in a bid to avoid becoming the most competitive lender left in the market and end up swamped by demand from buyers.

Average house price has risen more than 100 times since Queen was crowned

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:23:33 GMT

Today's average house price is 105 times higher than it was when the Queen was coronated in 1952 - making it seem as if we could all afford palaces now in comparison.

Couples hit as divorce soars while house prices slump

Sun, 13 May 2012 07:43:12 GMT

Increasing numbers of couples splitting up are finding a dramatic decrease in their lifestyles, as falling house prices leave them unable to move on.

House prices in seaside towns jump by up to 183%

Sat, 12 May 2012 13:10:57 GMT

Average coastal prices have risen 97 per cent in a decade, compared to the 95 per cent national average. Leading the pack is Seaham, in County Durham, with a 183 per cent jump.

Solar panel Feed-in Tariff returns rise to '12.5%' as Tesco wades in prices tumble

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:10:25 GMT

Rich pickings are back on offer for homeowners willing to invest in solar panels, but those interested have only a short time to act. Is it worth doing?

House prices: 35% expect property prices to rise this year

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:41:51 GMT

Confidence appears to be returning to the property market with an increasing number of home movers expecting house prices to be higher in 12 months' time.

Buy-to-let mini boom continues with mortgage lending to investors up 32% in a year

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:08:45 GMT

New buy-to-let lending in the first three months of the year totalled £3.7bn, with 32,300 mortgages taken out by buy-to-let investors, latest figures have shown.

What next for mortgage rates?

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:57:56 GMT

Lenders are hitting borrowers with higher payments and slashing interest-only options, so is now the time to get a new mortgage and should you take a fixed or tracker deal? Read our latest analysis

Mortgage giant Halifax raises rates despite base rate freeze

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:46:01 GMT

Britain’s biggest mortgage lender yesterday increased its rates, despite the Bank of England keeping the base rate at 0.5 per cent for the 38th month in a row.

Buy-to-let nightmares: A court ordered me to pay £4,000 to my tenants from hell

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:59:17 GMT

There’s a new rush into buy-to-let as savers flee low-rate accounts in search of higher income from property - but beware the range of rules for landlords and the costly implication of mistakes.

Nationwide says UK house prices fall in four out of last five months

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:47:41 GMT

Nationwide warned that house prices, which on average were also 0.9 per cent down on April last year, were set to stagnate or fall throughout 2012 as households' confidence lagged behind any possible economic recovery.

BT damaged our wall after replacing a telephone pole outside our home and still haven't paid for the work

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:14:59 GMT

We have sent claims forms with quotations for remedial work. BT has acknowledged the claim and passed it on to a contractor who, in turn, has subcontracted it. But we have heard nothing for months.

The cost of renting flats surges 7% an all-time high as young are priced out of buying

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:20:38 GMT

The cost of renting for flats has reached an all-time high, according to an index by Findaproperty.com. It said letting costs had risen overall in the first quarter of 2012 - the first rise since last summer.

How students can fight back against rip-off buy-to-let landlords (& help good ones)

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:35:39 GMT

Undemanding university tenants have proved rich pickings for investors, but students (and their long-suffering parents) still moan they face a lottery. A new site aims to change that.

Rics: House sales surge runs out of steam as stamp duty holiday ends

Tue, 08 May 2012 23:24:04 GMT

According to data from RICS, 6% of surveyors across Britain reported decreases in sales last month - the first time transaction levels have entered negative figures since last September.

Fix your loan: Millions are set for rate shocks but mortgage switchers have an escape plan

Sat, 05 May 2012 21:13:53 GMT

Those prepared to switch should save money or could take a fixed rate at a similar price. It is something that Halifax borrowers Tiffany Clayton, 23, and her boyfriend Carl Pritchard, 24, are preparing to do.

UK house prices: Asking prices hit all-time high says Rightmove

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:44:38 GMT

The average is being skewed by London. Since the last peak in 2008, London prices are 14.9 per cent higher, compared with a 4.3 per cent fall in that time for the rest of the country excluding the capital.

House prices increase for second month in a row thanks to strong demand in London and the South

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:44:28 GMT

Property analyst Hometrack said England and Wales were the only areas where house prices went up by an average 0.1 per cent, while in the North the Midlands and Wales prices fell or were static.

Land Registry: House prices fall 0.6% in March and even London is on the slide

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:44:04 GMT

Average house prices fell 0.6 per cent in March to £160,372, with properties in London and southern regions all falling but a surprising spike appearing in the North East.

Halifax: House prices back to 2004 levels, as they drop 2.4% in April

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:43:49 GMT

The fall leaves the average house price at £159,883 - the same level as in August 2004. The average home is down £40,000 on the 2007 peak, but Halifax said the market has steadied in recent months.

Co-op Bank pulls the plug on interest-only mortgages

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:41:02 GMT

The Co-operative Bank will no longer offer interest-only mortgages to homebuyers, or even those already on the cheaper payment deals who want to remortgage.

Why mortgage rates are rising: don't expect help from banks that crashed the economy

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:51:06 GMT

The big mortgage squeeze starts in earnest today and borrowers should expect no more help from our banking industry, despite it having brought the economy to its knees, says Simon Lambert.

Government to consider landlords and tenants charter in bid to simplify private rented housing sector

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:01:25 GMT

The document, intended for both landlords and tenants, could include legal fire safety standards and rules governing anti-social behaviour, MPs were told.

House prices: What to expect - news and predictions

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:05:49 GMT

A flicker of life has been spotted in the property market by RICS, but will the spring and summer bounce arrive in 2012? We analyse the latest house price reports.

Money Morals: Should I shop my neighbour for using his hosepipe during the ban?

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:34:17 GMT

Money Morals: My nextdoor neighbour is a lonely, miserable old man who is is actively defying the hosepipe ban. Should I turn him over to the authorities?

ASK TONY: Why won't student accommodation services allow girls to rent my university room?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:35:31 GMT

I am trying to rent out my room at university as I no longer need it. A girl approached to rent it but was refused by student accommodation services because it would result in a 'gender imbalance' in the block.

Does my English will cover my French home?

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:53:42 GMT

I am writing my will and have two French properties, should I have a separate will dealing with these assets in France or will my English will cover my estate in total?

Mortgage calculator: How much can I afford to borrow?

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:07:15 GMT

Find out how much you can afford to borrow with This is Money's mortgage affordability calculator, and see the difference between capital repayment and interest-only deals

Do I need to tell my mortgage lender I've been made redundant?

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:09:28 GMT

I have lost my job and obviously hope to find a new one soon. Do I need to tell my mortgage lender I've been made redundant? Our expert explains.

I hear I'm not able to get an interest only mortgage anymore, is that right?

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:48:31 GMT

I hear I’m not able to get an interest only mortgage anymore, is that right? This is Money's mortgage advice gurus answer crucial borrowing questions.

Ten tips for buy-to-let

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:29:20 GMT

For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Read This is Money's top ten buy-to-let tips

Should we replace our gas boiler with ducted air heating?

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:47:58 GMT

Ducted air systems operate using a simple method of drawing cold air over a flame to heat the air.

Should I install a water meter to save money on the bills?

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:21:55 GMT

I live by myself in a two-bedroom house. Will I save money over next year if I get a water meter installed?

Should I keep my money in a savings account or pay a lump sum off my mortgage?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:44:46 GMT

I have around £10,000 in savings and £100k left to pay on the mortgage. I would like to know whether I should keep my savings or use some or all of them to pay a lump sum off my mortgage?

Why has Halifax paid me a windfall? I paid off the mortgage in 2010!

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:41:12 GMT

I took out a mortgage with them 25 years ago and paid it off in 2010. But they've just given me a goodwill payment. Why?

Will solar panels be a problem when selling up my house?

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:17:57 GMT

I have leased my roof for 25 years to a company that fits solar panels. I get free electricity in return. Should I be worried that a future buyer might struggle to get a mortgage on the house because of the lease?

First-time buyers: Shortcuts to a first mortgage and buying a house

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:22:40 GMT

High property prices and big deposit demands have left first-time buyers struggling, but This is Money can help with the latest news, features and advice.

Why can't I get a mortgage?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:58:58 GMT

I'm a first-time buyer and found what I thought was my perfect mortgage, but even though I have a deposit and good salary, I've been refused.

ASK TONY: My brother wants to sell our deceased mother's house - should I buy him out?

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:45:55 GMT

When my mother died, my brother and I let her house. He now wishes to put it on the market, but I’d prefer to keep it because we have a good tenant. What should I do?

Is it a good idea to remortgage our home to fund a buy-to-let property?

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:22:31 GMT

Is it a good idea to remortgage our primary residence in order to purchase a buy-to-let property and what are the rules surrounding this?

Guide: How to avoid mortgage arrears

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:25:05 GMT

Read our steps for avoiding mortgage arrears if you feel you are about to fall into the red

Term life insurance: How to get the cheapest quote

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:13:58 GMT

Choosing the right way to buy life insurance can save you thousands of pounds. We explain the trick to getting the best deal

A guide to how to pay off your mortgage early

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:50:55 GMT

Paying off your mortgage early is one of the best investments you can make, slashing thousands off what is likely to be your biggest debt. See our guide