According to Inside Conveyancing this week, the HSBC is marking the start of 2013 with new competitive mortgage rates for customers with a 10% deposit. The rate changes launched on January 2nd include: 90% LTV 2-year-fixed - 4.19% 90% LTV 5-year-fixed - 4.69% 90% LTV tracker - 4.19% above base rate…

According to a recent article published in the Telegraph, unmarried women who give up successful careers to bring up their children are risking a midlife financial crisis if their relationship comes to an end. A growing number of women who gave up work to become “full-time mothers” are approaching middle age…

The emotional consequences of poor service can be devastating and make homebuying more stressful, says Legal Ombudsman Adam Sampson. http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/reports/conveyancing/ The ombudsman highlighted certain practices in the selling of conveyancing services. Often conveyancing services are marketed on the basis of "no sale no fee", and yet the ombudsman reports one…

HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs have published draft legislation for the Finance Bill 2013, on 11 December 2012. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget-updates/11dec12/complete-draft-legislation.pdf The draft legislation puts more bones on the intention to charge an ongoing tax (Annual Residential Property Tax (ARPT)) on non-natural persons (NNPs) holdingUKresidential dwellings valued at over £2…

A hoarder who has filled his flat with thousands of newspapers, magazines and books is facing eviction because he is a 'fire hazard.' Former salesman, Brian Clenshaw is facing eviction by his landlord in Kent because the clutter he is hoarding presents a ‘fire-hazard.’ Brian believes he suffers from a…

The new electronic Document Registration Service (e-DRS) is a faster and more cost-effective way for submitting and receiving applications. The new e-DRS will make the application process easier, reducing the average end to end processing times and will create and audit trail, helping to prevent fraud. Applications made electronically can be…

With all the talk of the NHS in the headlines, it seems only right to report on the lack of confidence the British people appear to have in its Health Service. For years, patients and their families have highlighted the lack of care and the poor practice within our hospitals…

Following on from our blog on November 1st regarding tougher lending rules, the UKs second biggest mortgage lender, Santander, has eased its interest only criteria. The clampdown on interest only mortgages reported earlier this month meant it would be less affordable for first time buyers to get on the property ladder,…

Lady drivers who demonstrate good driving can offset increased insurance premiums under the new European gender equality rules, by taking out a policy that tracks driving. It was reported in the Sunday Times that the Cooperative has announced it will double the maximum discount available  from 10% to 20% to…

Reports Mark Duell in today’s Daily Mail… A coat hanger factory worker suffered serious injuries to her neck and throat that almost resulted in her death when her hair and scarf became entangled in the chain and drive of a conveyor. Kelly Nield, 24, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, suffered the…