New build government
On Monday, who could miss the government’s launch of its housing strategy, promising £400m to boost house building and a new build indemnity guarantee to help borrowers get 95% LTV deals.
Interesting letters
Halifax exclusively confirmed that it will continue to send out letters to interest-only borrowers requesting information on repayment vehicles, letters dubbed “intrusive” by brokers.
Crime and punishment
Optima Legal’s professional support lawyer Nicola Hoskins explains where landlords now stand with squatting in residential properties set to be criminalised.
Winner takes all
Mortgage Solutions very own Vicky Hartley scooped the Best Personal Finance Trade Journalist of the Year accolade at the Santander Media awards.
Poor regulation?
The FSA was criticised on Tuesday for being “hostile to consumers” by failing to clamp down on poor financial advice in banks and promoting independent alternatives.
A tough road to stability
MPC member David Miles said the housing market is in for a tough transition, as it shifts to lower owner-occupation and a bigger rental sector – ultimately, helping to stabilise housing and the wider economy.
Shocks ahead
Standard & Poor’s predicted that severe mortgage arrears could rise 20% in the next three years, even if the economy moves towards recovery.
Inflation concern
MPC minutes revealed that inflation may remain higher than expected next year, with predictions putting base rate on hold for another two years.
Phenomenal rates
On Thursday, HSBC launched a fee-free two-year discount mortgage up to 90% LTV, with the incredible rate of 3.84%.
Non-advice fails
The FSA fined a non-advised mortgage firm £28,000 and banned its two directors for failing to ensure that “vulnerable” customers who took out mortgages and bridging loans were treated fairly.
Taxing times
Overseas property owners have been urged to inform HMRC if no disclosure on tax has been made already, with a new investigative team tracking down owners of land and property abroad.
Ageing disgracefully
This week’s Market Watch asked whether older people are being discriminated against by the mortgage industry, with many lenders refusing to lend into retirement.
Radio row
On Friday, Housing Minister Grant Shapps got himself embroiled in an argument with Radio 4’s Today presenter, John Humphries, after figures published just days after the housing strategy revealed a dramatic fall in affordable housing starts.
And finally…top tweets
Grant Shapps MP: @grantshapps
Abt to speak to #bbc4today – will ask why they wrongly told listeners I’d pulled out of an i/v that was never booked > http://ow.ly/1AXKej
BBC Radio 4 Today: @BBCr4today
“Overall, we’re going to build more affordable homes and more housing in this country and that’s what should matter” – @grantshapps #r4today
Tom Watson: @tom_watson
@grantshapps The housing figures are a catastrophe, Grant. A diary row belittles the seriousness of the situation. You’ve let yourself down.
Elizabeth Windsor: @Queen_UK
Grant Shapps on the phone. Sobbing.
