Government reveals plans for struggling home owners
The chancellor and housing minister have announced a £10 million package of measures to assist home owners in difficulty with their mortgages.
Government brings measures to improve HIPS
The government has announced a package of measures to help improve home information packs (HIPS) on the back of yesterday’s decision to delay the roll-out to the end of the year.
Credit crunch hits builders’ merchants sales
Sales of building materials at builders’ merchants across the UK fell by 3.1% during the first quarter of 2008, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has reported.
Industry disappointed at rate hold decision
Industry stakeholders have expressed disappointment at the Bank of England monetary policy committee’s (MPC) decision to hold the base rate at 5%, resisting industry calls to help the market and boost consumer confidence by cutting rates by a quarter percent.
HIPs roll-out to be delayed – again
The planned roll-out of home information packs (HIPs), which was scheduled for the beginning of June, has been put back to the end of the year as the level of transactions in the housing market continue to fall.
HBF urges interest rate cut
The Home Builders Federation is urging the monetary policy committee (MPC) to vote in favour of a cut in the base rate of at least 0.5% at tomorrow’s meeting, to “help restore both lender and buyer confidence and get some fluidity back into the housing market.”
Consumer sentiment falling – Nationwide
Nationwide\'s latest monthly survey of consumer confidence concludes that sentiment is at its lowest level since May 2004.
RICS urges mortgage lenders to clarify terms
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is calling for mortgage lenders to issue accurate guidance on lending terms and minimum loan-to-value ratios, in a bid to restore consumer confidence.
Bovis’ outlook gloomy following 30% drop in reservations
The Bovis board has spoken of “sharply deteriorating conditions” in the housing market, in its May 6 trading update. The plc has blamed negative consumer sentiment and the growing dearth of available mortgages for its need to sharply revise down forecasts on those issued at its preliminary results statement two months previously.
Bellway and Redrow deny merger talks
Bellway and Redrow have denied rumours that they are discussing a possible merger – a deal which would make the new company the industry’s third largest developer after Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey, with an equity value of £1.2 million. The companies are currently the UK’s fifth and seventh largest quoted builders.
News Alerts
Don't miss out on another important news story get important news alerts right to your inbox.
