A mortgage lender group is calling for a long-term housing minister to help provide stability to the housing market. The OSB group says affordability will remain a challenge for many prospective homes. In a new report, the lender group also reveals landlords plan to grow their portfolios. Merry-go-round of housing ministers Adrian Moloney, group intermediary director of the OSB Group, says the merry-go-round of housing ministers has not helped the housing market. He said:

The UK's renters are facing rents climbing at an alarming rate this year after they rose by 1.6% in just one month, marking the fourth consecutive rise, data reveals. The latest HomeLet rental index shows the average tenant is now paying an extra £21 per month compared to last month. However, the situation is even more severe in London, where rents have rocketed by 3.1% - or £65pcm - in the same period. This means Londoners are forking out nearly 40% of their wages on rent

Scotland's rental market appears to be reaching a turning point as rent growth begins to slow down in major cities like Glasgow, which saw a record 3.5% annual increase. A report from Citylets highlights that the news coincides with the introduction of a new Housing (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament that proposes stricter rent controls. Temporary rent control measures that replaced Scotland's previous rent cap legislation restricts rent rises to 12% within existing te