Specialist

The number of buy-to-let investors has increased by 50% since last month as a result of a buoyant rental market and may also be linked to pension reforms regarding sipps, reserach reveals.

The Financial Services Authority has uncovered evidence suggesting mortgage brokers encourage their clients to lie on sub-prime mortgage applications.

Retirement planning

The buy-to-let market has come to a standstill as a result of rising interest rates according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) latest lettings survey.

Pensioners are choosing to release equity from their homes to maintain their lifestyles after retirement as fewer people need the funds to boost their income, says research from Key Retirement Solutions.

Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), has reported solid business figures for the three months to 31 March 2005.

For clients struggling to raise cash to pay for long term care, equity release could be an option. Peter Fisher explains

Britannia and Coventry building societies have both launched innovative mortgage deals to offer consumers the extra financial boost they need to get onto the property ladder.

SHIP - the self regulating body which represents 90% of the equity release market - says it is also introducing tougher new rules later this year on lifetime mortgage and home reversion schemes.

Mortgage lenders have been told in a letter from the FSA there is little evidence of abuse of self-certification mortgage applicants as firms have good controls to prevent against fraud.