Eight things you need to know about the Stamp Duty consultation
The government has published its consultation on the proposed 3% Stamp Duty surcharge for additional purchases of residential properties, with responses due by 1 February. We run through the key highlights and issues to consider from the consultation.
Grenville Turner to leave Countrywide
Countrywide is working on a succession plan to replace chairman Grenville Turner who took on the role in 2014, following a stretch as the firm’s chief executive, reports reveal.
Uncertainty looms in the buy-to-let market – Tony Ward
Tony Ward of Clayton Euro Risk looks at how the proposed 3% Stamp Duty surcharge could impact the buy-to-let market.
Openwork reviews member fee-charging structure to fund IT spend – exclusive
Openwork is reviewing its fee-charging structure for members to raise money to improve its IT infrastructure for advisers and customers.
Where does the money come from to fund low fixed-rate costs?
Rates are at an all time low as the price war among fixes continues. As lenders continue to undercut each other and lower rates still further they build their pipeline – but at what cost? Toni Smith, sales operations director at First Complete, finds out.
Proc fees and lender criteria top broker priorities in 2016
Higher procuration fees and more options for undeserved borrowers top the list of changes brokers want to see in 2016, a poll by Mortgage Solutions shows.
Hampshire Trust Bank preparing for mortgage launch
Hampshire Trust Bank has announced it will expand into the commercial and buy-to-let mortgage sectors, with other specialist lending lines to follow.
TSB set to increase interest rate in buy-to-let rent assessment
TSB is set to increase the rate of interest it uses in its buy-to-let affordability calculation from 5% to 5.5% from Tuesday 12 January.
Stamp Duty replacement tax puts brake on high-end Scottish property price growth
Prime property prices in Edinburgh fell by 0.5% in the last quarter of 2015, largely due to the introduction of a new property tax which replaced Stamp Duty in Scotland in April last year.
Osborne continues hunt for FCA CEO as McDermott declines job
Tracey McDermott, acting chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has told the government that she doesn’t want the regulatory boss role permanently.
