Posts by liane

New figures have revealed that first-time buyers are now paying an eye-watering £163,047 on rent before they are able to purchase their first home. This represents a 40 per cent increase in a decade, according to research from specialist mortgage lender Perenna1. Back in 2015, renters typically spent £116,427 before buying. Today, they are parting…

When your mortgage deal comes to an end, most people focus on securing the best new rate. However, remortgaging is also the perfect time to step back and look at the bigger picture. It is not only about lowering your monthly repayments, it is also about ensuring that your financial safety net continues to protect…

Millions of self-assessment taxpayers are being urged to stay vigilant after HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) revealed it had received more than 170,000 scam referrals in the year to 31 July 20251. While this is a 12 per cent fall compared with the previous year, over 47,000 of the reports involved fake tax refund scams,…

With A-level results day now a distant memory, many young people are preparing to move away from home for the first time to begin their university journey. Alongside clothes and kitchen items, students will often pack laptops, smartphones, tablets, cameras and even bicycles. These possessions can be extremely valuable, and without suitable insurance, a single…

Homeowners coming to the end of a fixed mortgage deal are finally getting some good news. For the first time in nearly three years, the average two-year fixed mortgage rate has slipped below five per cent. According to industry data, the average two-year fix now stands at 4.99 per cent, compared with 5 per cent…

Landlords across Britain are being warned to prepare for a major tax shake-up that will affect thousands from April 2026. Under new HMRC rules, many property owners will soon have to report their rental income and expenses to the taxman every three months, rather than just once a year 1. What Is Changing? The changes…

Thousands of young homeowners are putting themselves at risk of losing their homes because many have no insurance cover to protect against life’s unexpected shocks. New research has revealed that a large number of people aged 18 to 34 have little understanding of essential financial protection, and even fewer have taken steps to safeguard themselves1.…

First-time buyers across the country are set to benefit as a growing number of high street lenders follow Skipton Building Society’s lead in lowering the income required to borrow more against your salary. Just days after Skipton announced it would cut its minimum income threshold for higher loan-to-income mortgages from £50,000 to £40,000, Nationwide and…

Homeowners whose fixed-rate mortgage deals expire in early 2026 are being urged to start planning ahead, as a new wave of rate rises and higher payments could be on the horizon. UK Finance data shows that around 1.6 million fixed-rate mortgage deals are due to end in 2025, with a similarly high number expected to…