House prices

House prices hit an all-time high this month, but the pace of growth has been slowing for two months in a row, according to Nationwide.

Scotland is to scrap the abolute or 'slab structured' stamp duty system that exists in the rest of the UK in favour of a proportional system where tax is paid only on the portion of the purchase price that goes over each threshold, rather than the entire amount.

House prices increased to another new all-time high of £188,949 on average in July, Nationwide has reported

House prices have rocketed past their 2007 peak to stand at an average of £188,903 across the UK in June, a new all-time high, Nationwide has reported.

More than £20 million meant to help people struggling with housing costs following benefit reforms wasn't spent by local councils last year, new figures reveal. But if you're affected, it's not too late to apply for help this year.

The Bank of England will be given greater powers to restrict mortgage loans in plans set out by Chancellor George Osborne to fix Britain's housing market.

The cost of a new mortgage is already showing signs of edging up, despite the Bank of England base rate remaining unchanged at 0.5%.

Anyone looking to get a mortgage will have to have their finances scrutinised more closely from tomorrow under new rules , meaning some may find it harder to get a mortgage.

Up to 300,000 homeowners who bought a property in a "disadvantaged" area over the past decade could reclaim up to £1,500 in stamp duty, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. But the deadline to claim is 5 May so take urgent action.

Update: 12.01pm, 1 April 2014: It was confirmed to us at midday today (1 April), that this was a foolish policy after all and won't be going ahead. Mr I. M. Fibbing, senior lecturer in architecture at a red brick university, says: "We're relieved that this was just a silly joke."