Mortgages

Month-on-month house prices fell in January, although quarterly prices have seen their biggest price increase in three years, Halifax said today.

The top mortgage rates dropped further today, but as usual, the best buys come with some big caveats.

House prices jumped by 0.5% month-on-month in January, Nationwide said today.

Banks have been warned by watchdogs they risk mis-selling payment protection insurance (PPI) substitutes unless they follow new guidance.

House prices rose by an average 1.3% in December but are unlikely to change much this year, mortgage lender Halifax says.

Late rent payments could appear on your credit file in the coming months, which could harm your chances of getting a mortgage, loan, credit card or tenancy agreement.

Many Northern Rock customers have discovered their loans are not protected by the Consumer Credit Act (CCA), despite having documents which say they're covered.

Paperless statements and payslips are becoming the norm in the online world but they can harm your chances of getting a mortgage or benefits, so ensure you ask for original copies well ahead of applying.

Consumers are losing £450 million a year because the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) does not have the resources or powers to offer enough protection from unscrupulous credit firms, the public spending watchdog has found.

Borrowers with mortgages where the interest is calculated once a year could save hundreds of pounds by overpaying in the next few weeks.