Nationwide’s house price index was dubbed a ‘surrealist manifesto’ yesterday, given that it reflected the the state of the market before the coronavirus outbreak put the brakes on activity. In March property prices grew by 0.8% month-on-month and 3.0% year-on-year to bring the average up to £219,583. Jonathan Samuels, chief executive of the property lender, The post Positive Nationwide house price figures like a ‘surrealist manifesto’ appeared first on PropertyWire.

The Financial Conduct Authority has unveiled a range of temporary measures that will affect financial firms, coming into force by 9 April. The FCA expects firms to offer a temporary payment freeze on loans and credit cards where consumers face difficulties with their finances as a result of coronavirus, for up to three months. Customers The post FCA unveils temporary relief measures appeared first on PropertyWire.

The government will lower the height threshold where sprinklers are required in blocks to 11 metres, down from 30. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will hold a roundtable with mortgage lenders to agree an approach to mortgage valuations for properties in buildings under 18 metres tall, which it said would provide certainty for owners affected by The post Government to reform sprinkler requirements appeared first on PropertyWire.

There was a surge in demand from renters in early March before they became unable and unwilling to move, research from Goodlord shows. There was a surge in demand in the first week, before activity fell away from 7 March. Tenancy volumes currently sit at around 60% compared to this time last year. Tom Mundy, The post Tenants rushed to secure new properties in March before the shutdown appeared first on PropertyWire.