TUC calls for £5bn tax on empty homes

Alistair Darling should levy a £5bn "empty property tax" on up to a million homes left vacant by absentee landlords, to help meet the costs of the financial crisis, trades unions will argue tomorrow.

False dawn' in UK housing market

The recent rise in UK house prices is a "false dawn", an economic forecasting group has warned.

The Ernst & Young Item Club says property values will not return to their 2007 peak for at least another five years.

Crime map to show burglary levels for every town and village

The public will be able to compare crime rates in every town and village in England and Wales following the launch of a new interactive map.

British Land signals property revival

LONDON (Reuters) - British Land posted its first rise in net asset value since 2007 on Tuesday, fuelling hopes that the billions of pounds of distressed property loans jamming bank balance sheets may not be as toxic as first feared.

Read on at: Yahoo finance

Bankers on bail

The “financial tsunami” has left behind important questions about the way the market operates, the pursuit of profit and self-interest. The Harvard philosopher and this year’s Reith lecturer Michael Sandel offers unexpected conclusions

Would your family be happier abroad?

It's something we all wonder every now and again: should we leave the UK and settle abroad?

Mortgages see a rise for first time in two years

The number of new mortgages for home purchases rose in July for the first time in over two years.

Bank considers new measures to stop lenders hoarding.

The Bank of England may introduce negative interest rates for the first time in British history this week, economists said.

PRICE RISING OVER ROCKY YEARS.

HOUSE prices are expected to rise over the coming year but some towns and cities could still be in for a rocky few months.

Which? Launches Estate Agents' Code 

Estate agents have been urged to sign up to a new code of conduct that ensures customers are treated fairly.

Are house prices now on the rise?

The worst is over and house prices are rising again.

That is the interpretation some people are putting on the recent house price surveys from the Nationwide building society and the Halifax, two of the UK's biggest lenders.

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House Prices Bounce Continues Into August

August 27, 2009

House prices rose by 1.6% in August, according to figures from the Nationwide.

That is the fourth month in a row they have risen - and is the biggest increase since December 2006.

Economic output nudges back into positive territory

Economic output in Britain has grown for the first time in 15 months, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research — with carmakers the latest to deliver a fillip.

Nationwide forced to defend 'niche' 125% mortgage offer

Nationwide yesterday was forced to defend the launch of its new 125 per cent mortgage. The lender said the loans offered a "socially responsible and prudent" solution to people in negative equity.

Even Land Registry Says Prices Are Stabilising .

At last the Land Registry has caught up with building societies and Home.co.uk’s asking price index in realising that house prices are no longer on a downward spiral.

Undervaluing 'hitting home sales'.

Property sales and remortgage deals are collapsing because some mortgage lenders and surveyors are deliberately undervaluing homes, estate agents say.

Government to kickstart mothballed housing projects

The Government has announced a £925 million initiative that could allow work to recommence on 270 stalled development projects across England.

Stamp Duty holiday to come to an end

The stamp duty holiday, which has saved property buyers thousands of pounds in taxes, is to be rbought to an end at the end of the year.

The best way back into the property market

As the future looks brighter for bricks and mortar, where should you place your bets on a recovery? The British love affair with bricks and mortar is back as activity picks up and a growing number of analysts believe prices have bottomed out.

Phil Spencer: from boom to bust

It's been a tough year, but Phil Spencer has no intention of getting out of the property business,For the past 18 months, Phil Spencer's life has had all the drama, jeopardy and upset of an episode of Location, Location, Location – without the happy ending.

Lloyds Bond Launch First Since Crisis

 5:03pm UK, Monday September 21, 2009
Lloyds is launching the first sale in more than a year of mortgage-backed bonds - a form of the notorious assets that many believe helped trigger the credit crunch.