The taxman says three and a half million people are due a refund, but two million will have to fork out for underpaid tax.
Housing market boost predicted
The housing market is expected to see a stronger end to the year thanks to the prospect of greater mortgage availability on the back of recent government initiatives, a survey of estate agents has revealed.
Chartered surveyors' expectations for future sales reached their highest level in September for more than two years
The housing market is expected to see a stronger end to the year thanks to the prospect of greater mortgage availability on the back of recent government initiatives, a survey of estate agents has revealed.
Chartered surveyors' expectations for future sales reached their highest level in September for more than two years as a net balance of 26% more respondents predicted sales to grow in the last quarter of the year, said the RICS UK housing market survey.
This cautious optimism was also reflected in surveyors' price predictions with 9% more respondents expecting prices to fall over the coming three months.
While still in negative territory, this is the most positive reading since the time of the expiry of March's stamp duty holiday, said RICS.
Peter Bolton King, RICS global residential director, said: "The housing market was relatively flat during September but surveyors are optimistic that the run-in to Christmas could see an increase in activity in many areas of the country. Prices are still dipping but at a much lower rate than seen in previous months.
"Despite this, problems still exist and more needs to be done to get the market moving. Unrealistic expectations on the part of vendors seem to be stalling the transaction process.
"Meanwhile, although the funding for lending scheme appears to be improving mortgage availability, those at the very bottom of the housing ladder are still struggling."
Last month, prices in the UK housing market continued to fall, albeit at a slower pace than in previous months. A net balance of 15% more surveyors reported falls rather than rises, the best reading since the spring.
Elsewhere, demand from potential buyers remained stable in most parts of the country with 4% more surveyors across the UK seeing increases rather than decreases in new buyer inquiries. Interest from would-be buyers has not seen any significant growth since the end of 2009, RICS added.
The amount of homes coming on to the market during September remained fairly flat as 5% more respondents claimed that supply had risen rather than fallen.
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5Comments
09/10/2012 09:32
Why is it always good when prices rise - we still need prices to drop so people can get on the property ladder without a massive debt for the rest of their life. The UK property market is still way overpriced and why don't all these agents and professionals admit it. Notice they never mention how rising interest rates in a few years will mean another drop for property prices.
09/10/2012 11:28
.. We are the UK .. whatever the USA did to excalate the so-called `global recession` .. at the end of the day,we can look after ourselves !
.. Also,whatever problems Greece,Italy and Spain etc have .. that`s their problems .. Europe can look after itself and so can we.
.. England,Scotland,N.Ireland and Wales: we need housing built for first time buyers and existing prospective purchasers .. this is work creating .. why oh why ,do other countries have to come into the equation for ?
.. the more than well paid politicians,have a lot to answer for re the last 5 years ~
10/10/2012 10:40
MSN you are still tedious to say the very least!!!
You constantly Police the stories dictating what people can and cannot comment on!!??
Why have a comment site and what gives you the right to determine ?? You are in breach of the publicity law, dictating freedom of speech!!
Take this pathetic story< allow comment? when we have so many relevant and important things in the past, present and future news to have comment on and also have a right to do so!!
Like, Crap lying self serving Politicians, Immigration, NHS, Benefit system, Transport, Education, Heritage, Social Fabric of GB, Industry, LACK OF JOBS and Unemployment, stupidity and weakness of our laws, governed by Europe, Euro referendum - never allowed to comment on any of these!
Yet every single one of them affected by weak politicians and there after every single facet affected by obscene and mass immigration!
Its about time the flexible and giving people of the UK stood up and demanded these things are dealt with properly!!
Isn`t it lovely, the good giving, flexible British people, despised by immigrants and foreigners, treated with disdane where ever they go, treated like crap by foreigners in there own country and continually S @ i T on by their own government/s....
And now we the British people suffer disgracefully because of policies which single them out - its about time that great old saying that our parents and grandparents said often - charity should begin at home!! Was heeded by the Government!! still what would they give a monkeys about it! They have never had it hard or tough any of them!
No matter how hard or difficult it becomes for Real British people it will never affect them (politicians) and never has...
I think the British people should comed down hard and stamp out ANY denegration of British people, or Great Britain by foreigners or immigrants or other countries or ridiculous and rubbish policies..
I think any foreigner abusing our soldiers or protesting against our veterans and war dead on remembrance day should arrested charged/fined and immediately deported to their country of origin or families country of origin and never allowed back to the UK, no questions, no appeals done gone! and that goes for any illegal, or criminal immigrants from wherever!
You constantly Police the stories dictating what people can and cannot comment on!!??
Why have a comment site and what gives you the right to determine ?? You are in breach of the publicity law, dictating freedom of speech!!
Take this pathetic story< allow comment? when we have so many relevant and important things in the past, present and future news to have comment on and also have a right to do so!!
Like, Crap lying self serving Politicians, Immigration, NHS, Benefit system, Transport, Education, Heritage, Social Fabric of GB, Industry, LACK OF JOBS and Unemployment, stupidity and weakness of our laws, governed by Europe, Euro referendum - never allowed to comment on any of these!
Yet every single one of them affected by weak politicians and there after every single facet affected by obscene and mass immigration!
Its about time the flexible and giving people of the UK stood up and demanded these things are dealt with properly!!
Isn`t it lovely, the good giving, flexible British people, despised by immigrants and foreigners, treated with disdane where ever they go, treated like crap by foreigners in there own country and continually S @ i T on by their own government/s....
And now we the British people suffer disgracefully because of policies which single them out - its about time that great old saying that our parents and grandparents said often - charity should begin at home!! Was heeded by the Government!! still what would they give a monkeys about it! They have never had it hard or tough any of them!
No matter how hard or difficult it becomes for Real British people it will never affect them (politicians) and never has...
I think the British people should comed down hard and stamp out ANY denegration of British people, or Great Britain by foreigners or immigrants or other countries or ridiculous and rubbish policies..
I think any foreigner abusing our soldiers or protesting against our veterans and war dead on remembrance day should arrested charged/fined and immediately deported to their country of origin or families country of origin and never allowed back to the UK, no questions, no appeals done gone! and that goes for any illegal, or criminal immigrants from wherever!
09/10/2012 10:03
09/10/2012 10:43
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