Rent schemes are leaving people homeless <> Unregulated firms offering sale-and-rent -back deals which exploit vulnerable homeowners are operating illegally, the housing charity Shelter has warned. .. <> Lenders threaten to sue valuers for negligence <> Mortgage lenders are using 'no win, no fee' solicitors to threaten property surveyors with negligence claims for valuations on homes that have since suffered steep falls in value and been repossessed. .. <> House prices record first annual rise in 19 months <> Homeowners received mixed news yesterday when the Nationwide said house prices were now higher than they were a year ago - the first annual increase in 19 months - but warned that the rate of growth had started to slow...   more »

Inheritance tax benefits enjoyed by married couples could soon be extended to co-habitués under proposals drawn up by the Law Commission.   more »