From money-saving work perks to investments and tax planning, resolve to get your finances in shape this new year
FT writers and readers confess their money blunders, bad investments and inane purchases
I plan to keep a property in the UK
Zoopla data shows rise ahead of change to levy regime in April
Landlords in the capital have been passing on higher costs to tenants amid a shortage of properties
Surveyors also find estate agents are expecting the slowest growth in rental costs in almost four years
The capital is stuck in a rut; digging itself out is not going to be easy — or cheap
Bank of England data highlights impact of decline in interest rates
Rental costs rose 3% on average compared with 2.6% for households with mortgages
Rents soar in October on back of high demand and pre-Budget landlord sales
Number of new properties coming to market is weakest since 2021, driving rent rises, Rics survey finds
Bank Rate works in mysterious ways
Pricier mortgages in recent years have a knock-on effect on property transactions
Typical property now costs £293,999, surpassing previous peak set in June 2022
A bank practice known as ‘extend and pretend’ has delayed a write-off reckoning but may hide a growing systemic risk
Beset by zombie statistics, British new-builds are larger than you might think
I fear my wealth will have an impact on any negotiations
Rise in prices of just 0.1% between September and October fails to hit forecasts
But landlords are buying a lower proportion of properties overall
Levy on second homes and buy-to-lets raised from 3 per cent to 5 per cent
Homeowners rattling around in large houses have been reluctant to move to somewhere smaller, but with a changing landscape and new Labour tax policies — notably inheritance — on the horizon, the mood is changing
Slowdown prompts shift to 50bp reduction, with rate-setters saying borrowing costs are likely to fall further
With the Bank of England’s lending criteria, they’re likely to achieve little
Barclays pulls best-priced home loan rate with other lenders set to follow suit
There goes the neighbourhood
