This week’s top five stories are:

Foxtons faces multi-million pound fine over hidden commission

London-based law firm, Leigh Day, is bringing a multi-million pound claim against Foxtons for charging landlords hidden commissions of as much as 33% of a contractor’s fee for work done on their properties.

Ex-mortgage brokerage boss steals £1m from equity release firm

The sole shareholder of a mortgage brokerage, NMB, was able to scam equity release lender New Life out of £1m by abusing his position as the holder of controlled functions.

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Clydesdale reverses stance on buy-to-let LTV

Clydesdale Bank announced it is offering its buy-to-let products up to 70% loan to value (LTV), after it withdrew all buy-to-let mortgages above 60% LTV last month.

Precise reshuffles senior management ahead of MCD

Precise Mortgages has reshuffled its senior management team to gear up for the arrival of the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD) and its plans to innovate in second-charge lending.

Santander to require tax year overview for self-employed clients

Self-employed mortgage applicants providing tax calculations (SA302s) as evidence of income to Santander will be required to provide a tax year overview.

Here’s some you might have missed…

Investec strengthens mortgage team

Investec, the private bank and wealth manager, has strengthened its mortgage team with two private bankers and a solicitor.

Know Your BDM: Colin Hammond, Santander

In this edition of the Mortgage Solutions Know Your BDM series, we put Santander’s Colin Hammond, BDM for East Region, covering the Cambridge & Peterborough area in the hotseat.

Accord makes fee-free mortgages available to brokers

Accord Mortgages has launched a range of 20 fee-free fixed-rate mortgages with the option of either £250 cashback on completion or free standard legal fees for borrowers.

Keeping hold of the best brokers in your business – Marketwatch

Recruitment drives can be seen in all areas of the financial services industry as firms attempt to snap up leading professionals to gain the competitive edge. Brokers and networks bosses share their expertise on how retain talent while supporting career progression.

Don’t be caught out on the wrong side of Twitter – Blacks Connect

Simply communicate badly or insensitively with a client (or prospective client), and you may find evidence of your mis-judged remarks shared with all and sundry through social media, writes Emma-Maria Coffey, business development manager at Blacks Connect.