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http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Development+agreement+paves+way+for+Potters+Fields&d=The+next+step+in+the+development+of+Potters+Fields%2C+the+development+site+sandwiched+between+Tower+Bridge+and+London%E2%80%99s+City+Hall%2C+took+place+yesterday+with+the+confirmation+of+a+development+agreement+between+Southwark+Council+and+Berkeley+Homes.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fdevelopment-agreement-paves-way-for-potters-fields%2F5003413.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Housebuilders+call+for+HomeBuy+reboot&d=Industry+fears+putting+off+first-time+buyers+as+Labour%E2%80%99s+HomeBuy+Direct+finishes+and+mortgage+deposits+remain+high&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fnews%2Fhousebuilders-call-for-homebuy-reboot%2F5003285.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Housebuilders+call+for+HomeBuy+reboot&d=One+of+the+old+government%E2%80%99s+boldest+measures+to+boost+the+housing+market+%E2%80%93+the+shared+equity+initiative+called+HomeBuy+Direct+%E2%80%93+is+drawing+to+a+close+and+by+common+consent+in+the+industry+the+new+Coalition+needs+to+drum+up+a+replacement+scheme.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fhousebuilders-call-for-homebuy-reboot%2F5003249.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog 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2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=London+resi+rents+surge%2C+says+Knight+Frank&d=Residential+landlords+in+London%E2%80%99s+prime+areas+have+seen+a+surge+in+rents+over+the+past+year%2C+according+to+Knight+Frank.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Flondon-resi-rents-surge-says-knight-frank%2F5003027.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=London+and+Stamford+buy+in+Battersea&d=London+%26amp%3B+Stamford+Property+has+bought+apartments+and+car+parking+spaces+at+Bridges+Wharf%2C+Battersea%2C+in+south+London.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Flondon-and-stamford-buy-in-battersea%2F5003023.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog 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http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=The+electrician+who+doesn%27t+have+a+clue...&d=Matt+and+Dan+have+also+been+in+Nottingham+as+they%27ve+heard+there%27s+a+man+called+Craig+Andrew+Lonsdale%2C+who%27s+trying+his+hand+at+electrics...+And+doing+a+terrible+job.%0A%0AWe+decided+to+put+Craig%27s+electrical+handyman+skills+to+the+test+and+invited+him+to+a+house+with+researcher+Lucy+posing+as+a+pregnant+home+owner.+Craig+arrived+at+the+property+to+fit+a+double+wall+socket+in+the+kitchen+and+an+outside+light+by+the+front+door+-+a+straightforward+job+that+any+competent+person+could+carry+out+in+two+to+three+hours.+%0A%0ACraig+Lonsdale+is+not+Part+P+registered+and+so+should+not+be+carrying+out+this+work+before+he+involved+Building+Control.+Failing+to+comply+with+building+regulations+can+result+in+a+fine+of+%C2%A35%2C000+per+offence.%0AFirst+the+parts...%0A%0ATo+begin+our+work%2C+Craig+thought+he+would+need+a+double+switch+to+go+in+the+living+room+-+standard+equipment+for+many+electricians%2C+but+Craig+didn%27t+have+one+in+his+vehicle%2C+so+he+popped+off+to+the+shops+to+get+one.%0A%0AAfter+25+minutes%2C+Craig+returned+-+still+without+the+switch.+To+our+actresses%27+amazement%2C+he+asks+if+he+can+borrow+%C2%A310+as+his+card+has+been+declined.+Cash+in+hand%2C+Craig+headed+back+to+the+shops+and+this+time+managed+to+get+the+part.++%0A%0AInto+the+kitchen%0A%0AOn+returning+he+decided+to+start+work+on+the+double+socket+in+the+kitchen+and+managed+to+fit+it+pretty+quickly.+Watching+on+was+electrical+expert%2C+Ian+Marsh%2C+Technical+Manager+for+ELESCA+-+part+of+the+ECA+%28Electrical+Contractor%27s+Association%29.++He+was+surprised+to+see+Craig+fail+to+use+any+testing+equipment+throughout+the+job.%0A%0A%22He%27s+not+tested+the+circuit.+If+he+puts+power+in+them+without+testing+it%2C+he%27s+not+complying+with+wiring+regulations+and+will+not+know+if+the+work+is+safe.%22+%0A%0AIan+spoke+too+soon%2C+a+few+moments+later+Craig+tested+the+plug+socket%2C+but+not+with+a+metre+%28polarity+or+loop+test%29+as+you+might+expect%2C+but+with+a+metal+kettle.+Ian+is+unimpressed%3A+%22It%27s+just+gross+incompetence.+I+would+not+trust+my+life+to+a+kettle%22.%0A%0AWorryingly+without+a+proper+meter%2C+Craig+will+never+know+whether+the+socket+is+properly+installed+and+crucially%2C+safe+to+use.%0A%0ANow+the+outside+light...%0A%0AAfter+we+explained+to+Craig+where+we+want+the+light+fitting%2C+it+was+apparent+from+the+start+that+his+electrical+expertise+was+lacking+when+he+suggested+running+the+outside+light+from+a+light+switch+in+the+front+room.+What+Craig+failed+to+realise+was+there+was+no+neutral+conductor+and+the+switch+only+controlled+the+living+room+lights+and+could+not+provide+the+power+for+a+new+light+outside.+%0A%0AIan+Marsh+knew+that+every+attempt+Craig+made+to+connect+the+light+to+this+switch+would+be+futile%2C+but+after+an+hour+or+so+of+trying%2C+Craig+said+the+problem+must+be+caused+by+a+faulty+bulb+or+a+faulty+light+switch.+Craig+headed+off+into+the+night%2C+leaving+the+job+unfinished.+He+promised+to+come+back%2C+and+dids+try+to+return%2C+but+we+decided+to+call+it+a+day%2C+realising+the+problem+would+never+be+fixed.+++%0A%0AIan+reviews+Craig%27s+work...%0A%0AAfter+Craig+had+left+Ian+looked+at+both+of+Craig%27s+jobs.+Although+the+wall+socket+in+the+kitchen+worked%2C+on+opening+up+the+socket+Ian+discovered+it+had+been+left+in+a+dangerous+way+as+he+had+not+connected+the+earth.%0A%0A%22Craig%27s+failure+to+connect+the+earth+wire+makes+this+socket+unsafe...+The+danger+is...+You%27ve+got+a+metal+kettle+right+next+to+that+socket+it+could+very+easily+be+plugged+in.+If+that+kettle+was+faulty+it+would+stay+faulty+until+somebody+touched+it+and+potentially+got+a+shock%22.%0A%0ASo+we+had+a+socket+that+wasn%27t+earthed+and+dangerous+and+a+light+installation+that+didn%27t+work+because+two+wires+are+needed+for+a+circuit.+Ian+was+particularly+concerned+at+the+sheer+incompetence+of+Craig+Lonsdale%27s+electrical+work.%0A+%0A%22If+Craig+carries+on+working+he%27s+just+going+to+put+more+people%27s+lives+in+danger.+It+really+is+as+simple+as+that.+He%27s+broken+the+building+regulations.+Part+P+asks+that+you+make+a+reasonable+provision+for+safety.+He%27s+not+done+that%2C+he%27s+left+this+unsafe%22.%0A%0ATime+to+catch+up+with+Craig+again...%0A%0AWe+decided+to+invite+Craig+to+another+home%2C+this+time+Matt+Allwright+was+ready+and+waiting.++As+soon+as+Craig+spotted+Matt+he+ran+off%2C+refusing+to+answer+any+questions.++Later+he+sent+us++a+letter%2C+in+which+he+apologised+for+carrying+out+the+work.++He+admitted+he+was+not+trained+to+and+has+said+he+will+not+doing+any+more+electrical+work+until+he+has+obtained+his+Part+P+qualification.+He+said+he+will+be+doing+this+course+in+September.+He+also+said+he+has+never+received+any+complaints+from+his+clients+and+his+working+relationships+are+good.%0A%0AYou+can+get+more+information+about+Part+P+and+how+to+ensure+you+use+a+competent+Part+P+registered+electrician+by+visiting+the+competentperson+website.%0A%0APlease+note%3A+The+BBC+is+not+responsible+for+the+content+of+external+websites.%0A%0ADownload+our+handy+factsheet+on+how+to+find+a+competent+electrician+here.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Felectrician_no_clue.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=The+pest+controllers+bugging+people...&d=First+off%2C+the+gang+are+in+London+on+the+trail+of+ADN+pest+control.++Although+the+company+is+based+in+Kent%2C+it+operates+all+over+South+East+England.++%0A%0AOne+customer+stung+by+ADN+is+Sasha+Taylor+from+Highbury+in+North+London.+She+contacted+the+company+after+finding+bed+bugs.%0A%0AAt+first%2C+ADN+Pest+Control+seemed+like+a+professional+looking+outfit.+They+gave+her+a+competitive+quote+of+%C2%A3125+and+could+come+out+quickly.++But+as+soon+as+one+of+their+technicians+turned+up+she+began+to+worry.++%0A%0A%22He+just+started+spraying+it+%5Bthe+poison%5D.++He+didn%27t+really+look+around.+He+just+lifted+the+bed+and+started+spraying.+He+didn%27t+talk+much+so+I+had+to+ask+him%2C+%27What+are+you+doing%3F%27+and+%27How+do+you+know+it%27s+there%3F%27%22.%0AIt%27s+absolutely+crucial+for+a+pest+controller+to+look+round+a+property+thoroughly+before+treating%3B+otherwise+they+would+have+no+idea+if+their+application+will+be+effective.+They+also+must+keep+the+homeowner+informed+about+the+chemicals+used+as+they+can+be+dangerous+in+the+wrong+hands+and+pose+big+health+threats.+Unfortunately+for+Sasha%2C+ADN+did+neither+of+these+requirements.+They+also+showed+a+distinct+lack+of+care+for+safety+of+themselves%2C+and+their+customers+too.+Not+only+did+the+pest+controller+not+wear+a+mask%2C+nor+did+he+ask+Sasha+to+leave+the+room+while+he+was+spraying+the+pesticide.%0A%0ASasha+paid+ADN+%C2%A3125%2C+but+ten+days+later+she+realised+the+bugs+were+still+there.++She+complained+to+the+company+and+they+sent+someone+else+out.++But+this+still+didn%27t+cure+the+problem%3B+so+she+decided+to+cut+her+loses+and+call+out+a+different+company%3B+costing+her+a+further+%C2%A3150.%0A%0A%22The+way+their+website+was%2C+they%27re+like+we%27ll+get+rid+of+the+problem.+So+you+trust+them.+It+was+just+a+really+bad+experience%22.%0A%0AThe+sums+of+money+involved+aren%27t+huge+here%2C+but+when+we%27re+talking+about+pest+control%2C+we%27re+talking+about+chemicals+that+can+be+dangerous.+It+was+time+to+test+them+out+for+ourselves.+The+team+found+a+house+in+Bexley%2C+employed+stooge+Mark+to+act+as+the+homeowner+and+found+bed+bug+expert%2C+David+Cain+to+supervise+the+sting.+David+planted+the+bedroom+with+faeces%2C+blood+and+carcasses%3B+and+took+his+place+in+the+hide+waiting+for+our+ADN+Pest+Controller+to+arrive.%0A%0AChemical+Mick+makes+an+appearance...%0A%0AOur+ADN+man+introduced+himself+as+Mick+who+had+a+quick+look+but+couldn%27t+see+any+signs+of+the+bugs...+even+though+we+littered+them+around+the+bed.+Despite+not+seeing+any+sign+of+infestation%2C+Mick+decided+to+start+diluting+some+insecticide.+%0A%0AMick+told+us+that+the+chemical+he+is+using+is+called+Cimetrol+-+a+strong+chemical+frequently+used+to+treat+bed+bugs.+To+buy+it+you+need+a+license%2C+and+the+law+says+everyone+who+uses+pesticides+must+be+competent.++%0A%0AHowever%2C+immediately+there+was+cause+for+concern.+Firstly+ADN%27s+pest+controller+realised+the+pesticide+is+frozen+and+he+found+it+difficult+to+mix+properly.+Chemicals+should+always+be+kept+in+a+controlled+environment%2C+and+this+batch+clearly+has+not+been.+Secondly%2C+he+balanced+the+chemical+tank+on+the+bed+-+not+a+steady+surface+to+rest+an+unsealed+tank.+It+is+also+an+irritant+and+must+not+be+used+on+bedding+because+it+becomes+active+when+it%27s+wet%2C+and+people+may+sweat+at+night.++%0A%0ADavid+Cain+is+far+from+impressed+already.++%22That%27s+very+dangerous%3B+he+is+leaving+a+tank+of+insecticide+which+isn%27t+secure+on+a+surface+which+isn%27t+stable%22.++Sure+enough%2C+Mick+spilt+the+liquid+on+the+bed%2C+rendering+the+mattress+impossible+to+sleep+on+for+several+days.%0A%0AMick+then+started+splashing+the+chemical+all+over+the+room%2C+without+any+protective+clothing.+He+also+did+not+ask+Mark+to+leave+the+room%2C+and+continued+to+talk+to+him+whilst+working.++It%27s+not+just+his+customers%27+health+%26+safety+he%27s+being+cavalier+about+either.++Cimetrol+can+cause+respiratory+problems%2C+and+it%27s+always+recommended+to+wear+a+mask%2C+but+Mick+decided+not+to+wear+one%2C+despite+Mark+offering+him+one.+Soon+Mick+began+to+sneeze+-+feeling+the+effects+of+the+chemicals.%0A%0AAfter+he+realised+there+are+still+problems+caused+by+the+frozen+insecticide%2C+Mick+poured+some+of+his+chemicals+down+the+bath.+Mark+questioned+whether+he+should+be+doing+this%2C+but+the+pest+controller+assured+him+that+there%27s+nothing+to+worry+about.%0A%0AExpert+David+Cain+was+very+concerned%3A++%22That+is+completely+illegal+to+do%2C+that+is+because+insecticides+are+all+extreme+marine+pollutants+and+they+cannot+be+poured+straight+down+a+standard+drain%22.%0A%0AAs+he+finished+up%2C+Mick+advised+our+stooge+to+leave+the+room+for+six+hours+until+it+was+dry%2C+and+then+he+said+it+will+be+so+safe+that+kids+can+even+roll+on+the+floor.%0A%0ADavid+Cain+is+shocked%3A++%22Children+when+they+are+rolling+around+on+the+floor+touch+things+and+put+their+hands+in+their+mouth.++This+is+not+safe+advice+to+be+giving%22.%0A%0AMick+charged+us+%C2%A3102.93+-+which+is+a+reasonable+price+if+he%27d+done+a+good+job%2C+but+unfortunately+he+left+our+house+in+a+dangerous+mess.++%0A%0ATime+to+Meet+the+Boss%0A%0AIt%27s+time+for+us+to+catch+up+with+the+boss+of+ADN+Pest+Control.++We+found+out+his+name+is+David+Nixon%2C+and+he%27s+been+running+this+company+for+a+while.+Apparently+out+of+an+address+in+Welling.+%0A%0AOn+all+of+ADN+Pest+Control%27s+paperwork+they+state+the+company%27s+based+in+Bexley%2C+North+Kent.+But+we+couldn%27t+find+him+or+any+trace+of+his+company+there.+Luckily+we+received+a+tip+off+-+it+seems+our+man+doesn%27t+have+an+office.++Instead%2C+every+Friday+he+pulls+up+on+a+street+corner+in+North+London+at+dawn+to+meet+his+staff.++His+pest+controllers+visit+him+one+by+one+while+he+stays+in+his+car.+%0A%0AWe+tried+to+catch+up+with+Nixon%2C+but+as+soon+as+he+saw+us+he+sped+off+in+his+van.++%0A%0AWe+did+manage+to+get+our+allegations+to+him+in+the+form+of+a+letter.+He+replied+saying+he+had+sacked+Mick%2C+but+a+few+weeks+after+sending+us+that+letter+we+discovered+them+meeting+on+the+same+street+corner+in+North+London%2C+looking+suspiciously+like+they+might+be+working+together+again.%0A%0ADownload+our+handy+pest+control+factsheet+here&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fpest_controllers.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=M%26S+knickers+-+are+they+just+pants%3F&d=Marks+%26+Spencer%27s+Anti-Cellulite+Firm+Control+Waist+and+Thigh+Cincher+Knickers+cost+%C2%A329.50+and+are+said+to+contain+aloe+vera%2C+vitamin+E+and+caffeine.+M%26S+say+they+reduce+the+visible+signs+of+cellulite+but+some+medical+experts+accuse+M%26S+of+failing+to+provide+evidence+for+those+claims.+They+even+suggested+that+ordinary%2C+very+tight+fitting+knickers+would+have+the+same+effect.+Watchdog+decided+to+find+out+who%27s+right+so+we+set+up+our+own%2C+unscientific+experiment.+%0A%0AWe+gathered+five+women+who+all+wanted+to+know+whether+these+pants+really+can+combat+cellulite.+We+took+them+to+see+top+plastic+surgeon+Mr+Douglas+McGeorge+who+measured+them+to+see+how+much+cellulite+they+had...%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0AAll+of+them+were+very+honest+about+the+problems+they+have+had.+Hair+salon-owner+Faith+Taylor+told+us+that+she+has+had+cellulite+for+years%2C+despite+being+a+regular+at+the+gym.+Likewise+beautician+Lynda+Freedland+and+fitness+instructor+Helen+Warren+said+despite+all+they+have+tried+over+the+years%2C+nothing+has+worked+and+as+such%2C+they+were+willing+to+take+part+in+our+experiment.+%0A%0ADouglas+McGeorge+helped+us+devise+the+experiment%2C+as+he+believes+M%26S%27+claims+don%27t+stand+up+to+scientific+scrutiny.+He+told+us+that%3A+%22this+trial+is+being+done+because+Marks+and+Spencer+are+making+claims+about+their+pants+that+they+improve+or+help+cellulite.+I+question+the+claims+made+about+them.+Marks+and+Spencer+have+provided+some+information%2C+which+they+say+justifies+those+claims.+But+I+don%27t+think+it+stands+up+to+scientific+scrutiny.%22%0A%0AFollowing+their+consultation+with+Mr+McGeorge%2C+our+five+women+agreed+to+swap+their+knickers+for+the+M%26S+ones+but+only+on+the+right+leg.+On+the+left+leg%2C+we+asked+them+to+wear+pants+of+an+equivalent%2C+shape%2C+size+and+elasticity%2C+but+without+the+additives.%0A%0AMr+McGeorge+explained%3A+%22The+best+control+we+could+use+is+to+actually+use+the+patients+themselves.+And+so+we+are+using+the+Marks+and+Spencers+pants+on+one+thigh+and+using+ordinary+compression+pants+on+the+other+thigh+just+to+see+if+there+is+a+difference+between+the+two.%22%0A%0AAfter+one+day+the+discomfort+of+our+unique+pant+combo+was+too+much+for+two+of+our+five+volunteers%2C+but+Faith+Taylor%2C+Lynda+Freedland+and+Helen+Warren+all+managed+to+carry+on.+%0A%0AThey+wore+the+pant+combo+for+28+days%2C+8-10+hours+a+day%2C+as+advised+on+the+label+for+the+M%26S+knickers.+%0A%0ABeautician+Lynda+told+us%2C+when+we+caught+up+with+her+mid-way+through+the+experiment+that+wearing+the+pants+had+been+fine%3A+%22They+were+uncomfortable%2C%22+she+told+us%2C+%22but+not+too+bad.%22+Faith+did+find+them+a+little+uncomfortable%2C+but+stuck+with+the+experiment+nonetheless.+Helen%2C+our+fitness+instructor%2C+told+us+after+sixteen+days+of+wearing+the+pant+combo%3A+%22I+feel+a+lot+smoother+when+I%27m+wearing+them+along+the+back+and+this+is+where+I+have+noticed+cellulite+reduction+here+and+on+this+leg+in+particular%2C+I%27ve+noticed+at+the+front+and+at+the+sides.%22%0A%0ABut+after+sticking+rigorously+to+the+wearing+the+pants+for+28+days%2C+what+were+the+results%3F+Has+it+all+been+worth+it%3F+Our+three+volunteers+went+back+to+see+Mr+McGeorge+at+his+surgery+after+to+find+out.%0A%0ALynda+Freedland+still+had+the+same+measurements.+Mr+McGeorge+noted+a+slight+visual+improvement+of+her+cellulite+but+on+both+legs%2C+meaning+the+M%26S+pants+didn%27t+fare+any+better+than+the+ordinary+tight+pants+she+was+wearing+on+her+left+leg.%0A%0AHelen+Warren%27s+measurements+did+improve+slightly++but+only+on+her+left+leg.+The+leg+where+she+had+been+wearing+the+M%26S+pants+saw+no+change+at+all.+The+texture+of+her+legs+was+smother%2C+but+again%2C+no+better+on+the+right+leg+%28where+she+was+wearing+the+M%26S+pants%29+than+the+left.%0A%0AFaith+Taylor%27s+measurements+remained+the+same%2C+and+though+Mr+McGeorge+found+that+the+cellulite+looked+less+pronounced+and+the+skin+was+slightly+smoother%2C+this+was+on+both+legs.++%0A%0AMr+McGeorge%27s+overall+conclusion+was+that+neither+of+the+pants+made+any+significant+improvement+on+the+legs+in+terms+of+cellulite%2C+and+there+was+no+marked+difference+between+the+legs+where+the+women+had+worn+the+M%26S+pants+as+opposed+to+the+normal+compression+pants+which+had+no+additives.+He+suspects+that+any+improvement+is+just+akin+to+the+wearing+of+compression+garments+for+a+while+%28like+when+you+wear+socks+and+an+hour+later+it+settles%29.+He+thinks+this+effect+won%27t+last+long+and+is+not+a+change+that+will+last+days+or+weeks.%0A%0AA+spokesperson+from+M%26S+told+Watchdog%3A%0A%0A%22Watchdog%27s+wearer+trials+back+up+what+our+scientific+tests+have+proven+-+that+this+product+visibly+reduces+signs+of+cellulite.+Customer+feedback+is+always+welcome+and+we+would+like+to+hear+more+about+the+volunteers%27+experience+of+wearing+this+product+to+ensure+we+continue+to+offer+our+customers+the+highest+quality+products+at+M%26S.%22%0A%0AThey+went+on+to+say%3A%0A%0A%27The+M%26S+anti+cellulite+waist+and+thigh+cincher+knickers+contain+ingredients+widely+used+in+cellulite+creams+to+reduce+the+visible+signs+of+cellulite+and+the+fabric+has+been+thoroughly+independently+tested+by+a+specialised+laboratory+under+controlled+conditions.+The+tests+were+carried+out+on+21+women+aged+22-64+with+a+BMI+between+23+and+30+and+grade+5+%28minimum%29+cellulite+present+on+their+thighs+%28where+grade+10+is+the+highest+measure+on+the+scale%29.+They+were+carried+out+over+a+28+day+period+and+were+run+by+Dermscan%2C+an+accredited+lab+which+specialises+in+testing+cosmetics.+An+ultrasound+technique+was+used+to+analyse+a+specific+section+of+skin+on+each+test+subject+before+and+after+wearing+the+garment.+After+28+days%2C+63%25+of+users+reported+a+reduction+in+visible+signs+of+cellulite+and+over+70%25+wanted+to+continue+using+the+product.+Long+term+effects+were+not+part+of+our+independent+testing%2C+therefore+we+are+not+claiming+how+long+this+improvement+lasted+for.++%0A%0A%22The+garment+works+during+wear+by+releasing+three+active+natural+ingredients%3A+Caffeine%2C+to+slim+and+tone%3B+Vitamin+E%2C+to+help+protect+against+ageing%3B+and+soothing+Aloe+Vera%2C+to+smooth.+These+are+held+in+place+by+millions+of+micro-bubbles+which+are+encapsulated+within+the+yarn+of+the+fabric+the+garment+is+made+from+then+released+onto+your+skin+as+you+move.%0A%0A%22Due+to+the+nature+of+the+garment+and+the+way+the+ingredients+are+held+within+the+yarn%2C+we+are+unable+to+state+the+actual+quantities+of+each+ingredient%2C+however%2C+the+rate+of+application+has+been+tested+at+Universidad+de+Zargoza+and+it+was+found+that+between+0.5%25+and+1%25+of+the+ingredients+migrate+onto+the+skin+daily.+This+is+unique+to+this+garment.+This+is+unlike+other+shapewear+we+sell+which+will+smooth+and+sculpt+whilst+it+is+being+worn%2C+but+will+not+visibly+reduce+the+appearance+of+cellulite.%0A%0A%22The+M%26S+garment+is+clearly+labelled+and+states%3A+%0A%0A%22%27FIRM+CONTROL+ANTI+CELLULITE+WAIST+AND+THIGH+CINCHER+-++SMOOTHS%2C+SLIMS+%26+SHAPES+-+WITH+EMBEDDED+VITAMIN+E%2C+ALOE+VERA+%26+CAFFEINE+-+INDEPENDENTLY+PROVEN+TO+REDUCE+VISIBLE+SIGNS+OF+CELLULITE.+%0A%0A%22In+view+of+the+evidence+we+have+and+the+wording+we+have+used%2C+we+refute+claims+that+this+could+be+misleading+to+consumers.%22%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fms_pants.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Holiday+spending&d=The+pound+is+finally+rising+against+the+Euro%2C+but+as+millions+of+us+prepare+to+go+on+holiday+we+could+be+in+danger+of+wiping+out+the+gains+we+might+make+on+our+exchange+rates.%0A%0AWe+spend+nearly+%C2%A3300+million+on+cash+withdrawal+fees+alone+when+we+are+abroad.++So+Watchdog+sent+Martin+Lewis+to+Cardiff+Airport+to+see+if+he+could+save+holidaymakers+some+money...%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0AHis+first+tip%3F++Use+cash+instead+of+a+card+at+a+bureau+de+change+in+this+country%2C+saving+on+potential+fees+charged+by+debit+and+credit+card+companies.++There+can+be+two+sets+of+fees+in+some+cases%3A+load+fees+and+cash+withdrawal+fees.+A+load+fee+is+where+a+bank+charges+a+fee+on+top+of+the+exchange+rate%2C+so+that+%C2%A3100+could+cost+an+extra+%C2%A33.+%0A%0AMartin+stopped+one+man+who+had+paid+on+a+Barclays+debit+card+at+a+bureau+de+change.++Martin+told+him%3A+%22I%27ve+got+bad+news+for+you+here.++If+you+pay+for+bureau+de+change+money+on+your+Barclays+debit+card%2C+you+will+have+to+pay+Barclays+a+fee+because+they+count+it+as+if+you%27ve+taken+money+out+of+a+cash+machine+abroad.%22%0A%0AHe+then+spoke+to+some+cabin+crew+staff%2C+who+showed+him+the+debit+cards+in+their+wallets.++One+woman+showed+him+her+Natwest+debit+card%2C+but+Martin+wasn%27t+impressed%3A+%22The+Natwest+debit+card+is+one+of+my+cards+from+hell...If+you+spend+on+this+when+you%27re+abroad%2C+they+charge+you+a+fee+each+time+you+spend+it.%22++He+said+the+same+about+a+Lloyds+TSB+debit+card+he+saw.+%0A%0AMartin+also+suggested+that+debit+cards+weren%27t+always+better+than+credit+cards+when+you%27re+abroad.++Credit+cards+can+often+be+the+winner%2C+as+long+as+you+clear+the+balance+before+paying+any+interest.%0A%0AHe+compared+one+holidaymaker%27s+RBS+debit+card+with+an+HSBC+credit+card%2C+and+found+in+their+case+it+was+cheaper+to+spend+on+the+HSBC+credit+card.%0A%0AIt+all+depends+on+the+brand+of+credit+or+debit+card%2C+and+Martin+says+the+wrong+cards+can+cost+you+a+fortune+when+you%27re+abroad.+But+he+says+there+is+some+good+news+and+told+Watchdog+about+six+cards+which+don%27t+charge+a+load+fee+when+paying+for+cash+abroad.%0A%0AThey+are%3A%0A%0ANationwide+Flexaccount+Visa+debit+card+%28no+currency+exchange+fee+and+free+cash+withdrawals+in+Europe+and+1+%25+on+conversion+elsewhere%29%0A%0ANationwide+Visa+credit+card+%28no+currency+exchange+fee+and+free+cash+withdrawals+in+Europe+and+1+%25+on+conversion+elsewhere.++Interest+is+charged+on+cash+withdrawals+even+if+it+is+paid+off+in+full+at+2.3%25+per+month%29%0A%0ASantander+Zero+credit+card+%28no+charge+per+withdrawal+but+cash+transactions+have+a+monthly+2.045%25+interest+rate%29+%0A%0APost+Office+credit+card+%28Cash+withdrawals+are+subject+to+a+handling+fee+of+2.5%25+subject+to+a+minimum+of+%C2%A33.00.++Interest+charged+on+cash+withdrawals+even+if+paid+off+in+full+at+2%25+per+month%29+%0A%0ASaga+platinum+credit+card+%28over+50s+only%2C+There+is+a+2%25+Fee+%28minimum+%C2%A32%29+for+each+cash+advance+anywhere%29%0A%0AThe+cards+with+the+highest+load+fees+and+cash+withdrawal+fees+which+Watchdog+found+were%3A+%0A%0AHalifax+debit+card+%28Service+fee+of+%C2%A31.50+plus+a+currency+conversion+fee+of+2.75%25+of+the+total+amount%2C+for+each+transaction%29%0A%0ABank+of+Scotland+debit+card+%28Service+fee+of+%C2%A31.50+plus+a+currency+conversion+fee+of+2.75%25+of+the+total+amount%2C+for+each+transaction%29%0A%0ALloyds+debit+card+%28Service+fee+or+%C2%A31.00+%28free+for+Platinum+and+Premier+customers%29+plus+a+currency+conversion+fee+of+2.99%25%29%0A%0ASantander+debit+card+%28Transaction+fee+of+2.75%25+and+%C2%A31.25+charge+per+point+of+sale+transaction%29+%0A%0ANatwest+debit+card+%28Transaction+fee+of+2.75%25+and+%C2%A31.25+charge+per+point+of+sale+transaction%29+%0A%0ARBS+debit+card+%28Transaction+fee+of+2.75%25+and+%C2%A31.25+charge+per+point+of+sale+transaction%29+%0A%0AFigures+correct+on+Thursday+10th+June+2010.%0A%0A%0ALloyds+banking+group+statement%3A+%0A%0AWe+believe+the+fees+incurred+on+our+Halifax%2C+Bank+of+Scotland%2C+and+Lloyds+TSB+debit+cards+when+used+abroad+are+competitive+and+compare+favourably+to+the+cost+of+purchasing+currency.+The+fees+cover+the+cost+of+providing+this+service+to+our+customers.+%0AWe+clearly+explain+to+our+customers+the+additional+fees+we+apply+to+exchange+rates+on+international+debit+card+transactions+before+a+customer+incurs+them.%0A%0AA+Santander+spokesman+said%3A+%0A%0A%22Customers+need+to+take+into+account+different+factors+when+looking+at+which+current+account+gives+them+the+best+value%2C+not+just%C2%A0single+out+one+fee+which+is+charged+on+a+handful+of+transactions+which+are+made+while+overseas.+Santander%C2%A0current+accounts+offer+the+best+in+credit+interest+rates%2C+the+best+overdrafts%2C+the+convenience+of+over+1300%C2%A0branches%2C+plus+safe+and+secure+online+banking.+%0A%C2%A0%0A%22If+customers+are+going+abroad+regularly%2C+it+is+likely+that+the+debit+card+which+comes+with+Santander%27s+Zero+Current+Account%2C+or%C2%A0Santander%27s+Zero+Credit+Card%2C+will+be+better+for+them+to+use+as+there+are+no+overseas+transaction+fees.%0A%C2%A0%0AThere+are+very+good+reasons+why+customers+might+want+to+use+their+debit+card+whilst+abroad+-+they+don%27t+have+the+risk+of+carrying+around+large+amounts+of+cash%2C+the+convenience+of+being+able+to+make+purchases+and+not+have+lots+of+foreign+currency+left+at+the+end+of+the+holiday%2C+or+the+hassle+of+trying+to+find+a+genuinely+good+exchange+rate%2C+which+many+commentators+agree+can+be+quite+tricky+as+%27commission+free%27+foreign+exchange+is+likely+to+come+with+an+exchange+rate+which+is+really+quite+poor.%22%0A%0ATravelex+response%3A%0A%0ATravelex+is+committed+to+providing+its+customers+with+convenience+and+great+value.+Our+online+price+promise+available+from+travelex.co.uk+continues+to+offer+holidaymakers+the+best+all-round+deal+on+travel+money.+Currency+ordered+online+can+be+collected+at+the+airport+on+the+day+of+departure+or+can+be+home+delivered.+Euros+and+US+Dollars+ordered+online+can+be+collected+within+just+4+hours+from+the+time+of+order.+Our+retail+stores%2C+located+at+every+major+airport+in+over+30+countries%2C+provide+the+ultimate+convenience+for+travellers+wanting+to+change+their+money+knowing+that+we+are+open%2C+with+all+major+currencies+in+stock%2C+24+hours+a+day+365+days+a+year.++As+well+as+cash+we%27re+also+leading+the+way+in+pre-paid+travel+cards+which+can+be+loaded+with+foreign+currency+and+used+abroad+offering+a+safe+and+secure+way+of+paying+for+goods+and+services+as+well+as+helping+to+avoid+the+charges+associated+with+credit+and+debit+cards.+&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Flewis_travel_money.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Kicking+up+a+stink...+again&d=Two+weeks+ago%2C+Crown+told+us+their+smelly+paint+affected+just+one+in+a+hundred+thousand+walls.+But+since+then%2C+you%27ve+continued+to+contact+us+by+email%2C+on+the+blogs+and+even+sent+in+your+own+home+videos.+%0A%0AMany+of+you+are+complaining+about+Crown%27s+Breatheasy+brand+and+you%27re+angry+because+you+bought+it+especially+because+they+said+it%27s+%27virtually+odour+free%27...+%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0A%0ABut+what+about+another+Crown+claim+-+that+this+is+an+industry+wide+problem%3F+Anita+went+to+Gloucester+to+meet+Barbara+Hancock.+Anita+thought+the+house+smelt+of+cat+wee%2C+but+Barbara+hadn%27t+been+using+Crown+paint%2C+her+place+had+been+painted+with+Dulux+paint.+So+the+UK%27s+leading+paint+brand+who+claim+to+sell+40+million+tins+a+year+seem+to+have+a+similar+problem.+%0A%0ABut+what%27s+causing+the+stink+that%27s+affecting+so+many+houses%3F+Well%2C+as+Crown+told+Anita+at+a+meeting+in+London+a+few+weeks+ago%2C+they%27re+convinced+the+answer+lies+closer+to+home...+it%27s+not+their+paint%2C+it%27s+your+smelly+walls.+%0A%0ABut+it+isn%27t+just+Crown+who+are+blaming+the+walls.+The+Paint+Research+Association+agrees+-+and+says+work+to+isolate+the+exact+causes+is+continuing.+It+adds+that+manufacturers+have+had+to+reduce+the+amount+of+solvent+in+the+paint%2C+due+to+stricter+regulations.+That+means+smells+from+certain+walls+that+were+previously+masked%2C+are+now+sometimes+more+apparent.+%0A%0AAnd+don%27t+Watchdog+viewers+know+it.+There+are+loads+of+them+with+stinking+walls+who+are+wondering+what+to+do+next.+Are+there+more+of+you+who+are+worried+you%27ll+have+a+foul+odour+the+next+time+you+decorate%3F%0A%0ACrown+Statement%3A%0A%0A%22Crown+Paints+is+committed+to+continuing+its+tests+and+establishing+the+cause+of+the+wall+odour+phenomenon+on+behalf+of+the+paint+industry.++We+urge+any+customers+that+have+experienced+the+phenomenon+when+using+any+Crown+products+to+get+in+touch+with+us+directly+so+that+we+can+provide+advice+and+assist+with+remedial+actions+where+necessary.++Customers+should+visit+our+painting+and+decorating+advice+website+for+further+information+at+www.askcrown.co.uk%2C+or+call+the+customer+service+team+directly+on+our+dedicated+helpline%2C+on+0845+521+2499.%22%0A%0ADulux+Statement%3A%0A%0A%22We+were+concerned+to+hear+from+Watchdog+that+some+households+have+been+experiencing+problems+with+an+%27odour%27+after+painting.++%0A%0A%22As+the+leading+paint+brand+in+the+UK%2C+we+sell+over+40+million+cans+of+paint+annually+and+so+far+we+have+had+few+complaints+-+11+in+total+-+relating+to+odour+issues+in+the+past+twelve+months+%28to+June+2010%29.%0A%0A%22We+are+and+remain+committed+to+ensuring+householders+get+the+best+performance+from+their+paint%2C+and+so+we+take+any+complaint+very+seriously.+%0A%0A%22We+have+no+record+of+contact+from+Mrs+Hancock+but+are+always+happy+to+discuss+any+customer+feedback.+We+are+thoroughly+investigating+each+case+that+is+presented+to+us+to+help+every+individual+find+a+solution.%22%0A%0APRA+Statement%3A+%0A%0A%22In+response+to+more+stringent+regulations%2C+the+reduction+in+the+solvent+content+of+paint+across+the+industry+may+mean+that+previously+masked+smells+emitted+from+certain+walls+in+certain+conditions+are+sometimes+more+apparent.+%0A+%0A%22Independent+tests+following+recent+incidents+show+that+this+is+not+related+to+the+quality+of+manufacture+of+the+paint%2C+and+there+have+not+been+any+health+and+safety+side+effects+reported.+Work+is+continuing+to+isolate+and+identify+the+factors+that+are+causing+the+odour%2C+but+early+indications+are+that+it+may+be+caused+by+materials+present+in+the+wall+interacting+with+the+paint+to+release+materials+that+give+rise+to+odours+at+very+low+levels.%0A+%0A%22Consumers+should+not+be+alarmed+by+this+problem+as+less+than+1+in+100%2C000+paint+buyers+are+likely+to+be+affected.+It+generally+concerns+conventional+vinyl+matt+paint+and+should+you+experience+this+problem%2C+it+can+be+resolved+by+applying+an+alkali+resistant+primer+to+seal+the+offending+wall+before+repainting.+We+recommend+that+the+paint+manufacturer%2C+of+whichever+brand+has+been+used%2C+is+contacted+directly+for+advice.%22%0A%0AStatement+from+the+BCF+%28British+Coatings+Federation%29%3A%0A%0A%22%27Wall+odour%27+or+%27ghost+odour%27+is+an+issue+that+is+known+to+have+existed+in+the+global+paint+industry+for+a+number+of+years+and+does+not+relate+to+any+specific+manufacturer.+There+have+been+reports+of+this+effect+from+the+UK%2C+Europe%2C+USA+and+Australia%2C+although+the+numbers+are+extremely+small.%0A%0A%22In+the+UK%2C+it+is+accepted+that+instances+of+%27wall+odour%27+is+an+industry-wide+issue+that+affects+a+very+small+number+of+customers.%0A%0A%22Crown+Paints+is+active+in+the+UK+industry+in+attempting+to+find+a+solution+to+what+we+believe+is+a+situation+caused+by+conditions+in+or+on+the+wall+being+painted.%0A%0A%22In+the+limited+occurances%2C+we+would+always+advise+the+individual+customer+to+seek+professional+advice+from+the+manufacturer.%22&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fsmelly_paint_update.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=HMRC...+the+taxman+cometh%21&d=The+HMRC+has+a+hold+over+every+taxpayer+in+the+country+-+from+making+sure+we+pay+the+right+tax+to+setting+our+pension.+It%27s+notoriously+strict+with+anyone+who+makes+mistakes+about+their+income%2C+often+demanding+back-payments+and+penalties+with+interest.%0A%0ABut+complaints+about+HMRC%27s+own+errors+seem+to+be+increasing...%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0AElizabeth+Jenkins+has+been+one+of+the+lucky+ones.++After+chasing+the+HMRC+for+her+%C2%A333+rebate%2C+the+pensioner+from+Bournemouth+was+somewhat+surprised+to+find+a+cheque+for+a+whopping+%C2%A31.5m+land+on+her+doormat.+%0A%0AElizabeth+told+Watchdog%3A%0A%22What+I+thought+immediately+was+how+nice+it+would+be+to+have+that+amount+of+money+and+things+went+through+my+mind+about+what+I+would+do+if+it+was+mine.%22%0A%0A%22What+I+would+like+to+do+is%2C+if+I+can+keep+it%2C+is+put+it+in+a+frame+and+hang+it+on+the+wall+and+look+at+it+occasionally+and+imagine+I%27m+a+millionaire%22.%0A%0AWhen+it+comes+to+the+HMRC+we+hear+fewer+tales+like+Elizabeth%27s+and+more+stories+like+Andy+Wigg%27s.+After+waiting+for+nearly+seven+months+and%2C+several+excuses+of+backlogs+and+computer+glitches+later%2C+he+is+beginning+to+lose+patience.%0A%0AAndy+said%2C+%22The+operational+system+they%27ve+got+at+HMRC+is+shambolic%2C+there+are+not+enough+people+on+the+front+line+to+be+able+to+make+decisions%2C+look+at+individual+cases.+The+people+you+speak+to%2C+all+they+do+is+look+at+a+screen+and+say+somebody+will+get+back+to+you.%22%0A%0AHe+is+owed+around+%C2%A3700+on+his+pension+contributions+for+previous+tax+years+and+in+November+sent+off+a+letter+to+get+it+back.++Then+in+March%2C+he+was+told+his+files+had+been+lost%3A%0A%0A%22I+was+becoming+very%2C+very+frustrated+and+actually+angry+that+money+that+I%27d+over+paid+in+tax+and+was+due+as+a+rebate+was+sitting+in+the+government%27s+tax+funds%2C+and+I+wanted+it+back%2C%22+said+Andy.%0A%0ASelf-employed+taxpayers+claiming+for+the+latest+financial+year+are+not+getting+any+more+luck.++Richard+Lavier%2C+an+electrical+contractor+is+owed+%C2%A31%2C700+by+HMRC+but+has+been+told+that+they+are+not+processing+claims+at+the+moment.+%0A%0ARichard+is+not+impressed.++He+said%2C+%22If+I+ran+my+business+the+way+that+Inland+Revenue+runs+theirs+I+wouldn%27t+be+in+business+very+long.%22++%0A%0AHis+wife+Wendi%2C+who+deals+with+his+tax+affairs%2C+agrees%3A+%22If+this+was+any+other+company+on+earth+we+would+have+some+recourse%2C+we+could+take+them+to+a+small+claims+court.++But+you+can%27t+do+that+with+the+Inland+Revenue%2C+they+hold+all+the+cards.%22%0A%0AThis+case+is+just+one+of+many+and+we+have+even+heard+of+one+man+who+was+%C2%A353%2C000+out+of+pocket+for+over+nine+months.+Despite+holding+on+to+that+money+for+all+that+time%2C+HMRC+didn%27t+refund+him+even+a+penny%27s+worth+of+interest.%0A%0ABut+if+you+are+late+with+your+taxes+you%27ll+have+to+pay+interest+in+excess+of+the+Bank+of+England+base+rate.++You+may+also+be+liable+for+a+5%25+surcharge.%0A%0ASenior+tax+accountant+Mike+Warburton%2C+understands+that+penalties+are+needed+to+induce+some+people+to+pay+but+feels+that+the+balance+of+power+falls+too+heavily+on+the+side+of+the+HMRC.+%0A%0AMike+said%2C+%22The+way+the+system+works+at+the+moment+with+interest+and+penalties+is+too+harsh+on+the+tax+payer+and+unfortunately+because+it%27s+one+sided+we+have+no+comeback+against+HMRC.%22+%0A%0AOn+top+of+all+this%2C+HMRC%27s+recently+brought+out+a+whole+new+set+of+penalty+rules.+They+can+now+fine+you+if+they+even+suspect+you%27ve+made+a+mistake.+%0A%0AWatchdog+has+found+that+despite+being+quick+to+hand+out+penalties+and+fines%2C+the+HMRC+has+made+enough+of+their+own+mistakes.++In+2007+they+lost+a+disc+containing+the+details+of+all+25+million+child+benefit+claimants+and+just+two+weeks+ago+they+admitted+sending+50%2C000+tax+records+to+the+wrong+people.+%0A%0AWhile+vast+numbers+like+these+make+the+headlines%2C+it+is+the+individual+taxpayers+like+Kath+Holt+that+can+get+the+nastiest+shock.+For+her%2C+it+seemed+that+rumours+of+her+death+in+the+HMRC+system+had+been+more+than+a+little+exaggerated.++%0A%0ASo+much+so%2C+that+last+October+her+husband+received+a+letter+from+the+HMRC+-+addressed+to+the+executor+of+the+late+Mrs+K+Holt.++She+has+since+been+resurrected+by+the+HMRC%2C+not+once%2C+but+three+times+over+her+lifetime+-+quite+an+achievement.%0A%0A%22They+still+had+me+as+dead%2C+even+though+HMRC+had+categorically+assured+me+that+my+account+was+brought+up+to+date+and+there+shouldn%27t+be+any+more+problems%2C%22+said+Kath.%0A%0AHMRC+blamed+a+computer+problem+for+mistakenly+killing+off+Kath+and+it+seems+the+technology+has+created+a+new+problem.+According+to+a+recent+memo+from+HMRC%2C+up+to+100%2C000+people+are+now+paying+too+much+tax+because+they%27ve+been+put+on+the+wrong+code.%0A%0AOne+company%2C+which+has+just+under+25%2C000+former+employees%2C+says+it+has+received+more+than+a+thousand+calls+since+January+from+its+pensioners+querying+their+tax+codes.+But+some+people+haven%27t+just+had+one+mix-up+with+their+tax+codes.+%0A%0A83+year+old+Richard+Mills+has+received+eleven+different+tax+codes+since+January.+Having+retired+23+years+ago+and+with+no+change+in+circumstance%2C+he+was+surprised+to+find+11+letters+with+different+tax+codes+arrive+through+his+letterbox.+%0A%0AWith+two+private+pensions%2C+and+an+income+under+%C2%A310%2C000%2C+he+hasn%27t+had+to+pay+tax+since+he+retired.+Suddenly+this+year%2C+HMRC+told+him+he+should+pay+tax.+They+lowered+his+allowance%2C+and+took+it+straight+out+of+his+pension+two+months+in+a+row.%0A%0AHis+son+Alan%2C+has+been+looking+after+Richard%27s+affairs.++%0A%0A%22He+got+no+income+in+March%2C+no+income+in+April+and+they+still+took+a+little+piece+in+May+and+only+now+it%27s+beginning+to+return+to+normal%2C%22+said+Alan.++%0A%0A%22Essentially+by+lowering+his+tax+code+the+error+it%27s+cost+him+%C2%A3408+that+he+shouldn%27t+have+paid+and+as+of+this+moment+he+hasn%27t+had+that+money+back.%22%0A%0A%0A%0ALesley+Strathie%2C+Chief+Executive+Officer%2C+HMRC%3A%0A%0A%22HMRC+wants+to+deliver+a+first+class+tax+service.+We+are+acutely+aware+that+we+sometimes+fall+short+of+our+ambition.+The+numbers+of+people+we+deal+with+every+year%2C+sometimes+on+extremely+complex+issues%2C+are+simply+enormous.+We+handle+around+1.2+million+telephone+calls+a+week+and+receive+some+74+million+letters+a+year.+It+only+takes+a+small+number+of+our+transactions+to+go+wrong+for+a+lot+of+people+to+be+affected.+That%27s+why+I+am+determined+to+make+the+services+we+provide+as+good+as+they+can+possibly+be.+I+accept+that+we+still+have+a+long+way+to+go+and+I+apologise+to+those+who+have+had+problems.+%0A%0AThe+vast+majority+of+people+who+do+business+with+HMRC+do+not+experience+problems.+They+are+taxed+correctly+and+have+their+correspondence+dealt+with+in+a+reasonable+time.+I+know%2C+however%2C+that+this+is+of+little+consolation+to+all+those+who+have+not+received+the+effective+and+efficient+service+we+aim+to+provide.%0A%0AWe+will+continue+to+focus+our+resources+onto+those+areas+where+we+must+improve.+I+am+grateful+to+those+customers+who+have+taken+the+time+and+trouble+to+tell+us+about+their+experiences.+I+will+ensure+that+HMRC+learns+from+this+feedback+to+deliver+the+best+possible+service+to+all+our+customers+within+the+resources+available+to+us.%22%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fhmrc_the_taxman_cometh.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Hole-y+moly%2C+there%27s+so+many+potholes+on+our+roads%21&d=The+sun+may+be+shining+at+the+moment+but+think+back+to+earlier+this+year.+The+snow+and+ice+was+bad+enough+but+when+it+thawed+we+were+left+with+some+new+symbols+of+a+broken+Britain+-+potholes.+%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0A%0A%0A%0AAs+a+driver%2C+if+you%27re+not+thumping+into+one+or+swerving+to+avoid+it%2C+you%27re+living+in+constant+fear+that+a+big+hole%27s+going+to+get+you+at+any+minute.+Watchdog+reporter+Chris+Hollings+says+it%27s+been+particularly+bad+where+he+lives.+He+says+the+combination+of+bumps+and+holes+makes+his+journey+home+a+bit+like+doing+the+Grand+National+each+day.%0A%0AThe+Highways+Agency+should+maintain+motorways+and+trunk+roads+while+local+councils+are+responsible+for+the+other+95%25+of+our+public+roads%2C+which+includes+filling+any+potholes.+They%27re+not+doing+too+well+though%2C+judging+by+the+many+pothole-related+complaints+Watchdog+has+received.%0A%0AThe+problem%27s+getting+worse+because+the+number+of+potholes+has+reportedly+increased+by+40%25+over+the+last+year.+There%27s+even+been+a+national+shortage+of+windscreens+because+many+have+been+cracked+by+loose+stones+being+thrown+up+from+potholes.%0A%0AThe+Watchdog+team+went+out+on+the+road+to+get+the+measure+of+some+of+Britain%27s+worst+road+craters.+One+whopper+in+Sheffield+clocked+in+at+56+centimetres+wide%2C+whereas+Surrey+has+recently+been+crowned+the+pothole+capital+of+Britain.+There%27s+evidence+of+the+problem+in+Manchester+and+potholes+litter+the+surface+of+Carver+Street+in+south+London.+%0A%0AYet+potholes+are+more+than+just+a+nuisance.+Sometimes+they+can+really+leave+you+out+of+pocket.+An+anti-pothole+campaign+website+claims+the+annual+bill+for+axle+and+suspension+repairs+is+%C2%A32.8+billion.%0A%0ARobert+Hopping+had+to+shell+out+%C2%A3400+for+damage+to+his+car+wheel+after+a+particularly+nasty+encounter+with+a+pothole+in+London.++Shortly+after%2C+the+same+pothole+was+hit+by+another+unsuspecting+driver+and+cost+Louise+Gill+hundreds+of+pounds.+They+weren%27t+the+only+two+victims+of+that+crater.+%0A%0ANot+only+was+this+a+scary+experience%2C+but+Robert+and+Louise+both+agree+on+how+dangerous+this+could+have+been.+Robert+told+Watchdog+that+drivers%3A%0A%0A%22Shouldn%27t+be+put+to+this+sort+of+degree+of+danger+on+the+roads+in+this+day+and+age%22%2C+%0A%0Awhile+Louise+also+expressed+concern%3A+%0A%0A%22It+could+have+been+fatal+if+a+motorbike+or+a+bike+had+gone+over+%5Bit%5D.+%22%0A%0ADespite+the+damage+to+their+cars%2C+Richmond+Council%27s+insurers+refused+to+compensate+these+drivers.+The+authority+says+the+road+had+been+the+subject+of+inspections+every+six+months+and+the+offending+pothole+has+since+been+filled+in.+%0A%0AThe+situation+has+left+Louise+feeling+very+angry+-+she+doesn%27t+understand+why+she%27s+had+to+pay+for+damage+that+wasn%27t+her+fault.%0A%0AIt%27s+not+just+drivers+who+are+livid%2C+cyclists+are+angry+too.+Ian+Davis+struck+a+pothole+while+out+on+his+bike+near+Newbury.+He+tumbled+over+the+top+of+his+handle+bars+and+says+he+ended+up+forty+yards+down+the+road.+%0A%0AThe+accident+left+him+with+some+broken+ribs%2C+a+dislocated+shoulder+and+injuries+to+his+hip%2C+knee+and+hands.+If+there+had+been+a+car+following+behind+Iain%2C+he+could+have+been+fatally+injured.%0A%0ABut%2C+like+those+drivers+in+Richmond%2C+Ian+faced+a+struggle+for+compensation.+It%27s+taken+four+years%2C+and+a+court+battle+with+West+Berkshire+Council+to+get+them+to+pay+out.+They%27ve+now+resurfaced+the+road.%0A%0ASo%2C+should+we+all+just+bump+along+and+take+the+rough+with+the+smooth%3F+If+your+car+was+damaged%2C+is+there+anything+you+can+do%3F%0A%0AAccording+to+Paul+Kitson%2C+a+lawyer+from+firm+Russell+Walker+and+Jones%2C+drivers+need+to+take+the+following+steps%3A%0A%0A%22Get+witnesses.+If+you%27ve+had+an+accident%2C+speak+to+people+in+the+street.+Did+they+see+the+accident%3F+Get+their+names%2C+telephone+numbers.+%0A%0A%22Take+good+photographs+of+the+road+defect.+You+need+to+clearly+demonstrate+the+depth+of+the+hole%2C+the+width+of+hole%2C+the+length+of+the+hole.%22%0A%0AYet+even+if+drivers+take+all+those+steps%2C+you+still+may+face+a+battle.+We%27ve+seen+how+some+councils+are+reluctant+to+pay+out%2C+while+the+Highways+Agency+-+which+looks+after+motorways+-+compensates+just+one+in+nine+drivers+whose+cars+are+damaged+on+our+main+roads.%0A%0ALast+winter+did+bring+one+bit+of+seemingly+good+news+-+the+former+government+released+an+extra+%C2%A3100+million+to+repair+some+of+the+road+damage+caused+by+the+snow+and+ice.+It+may+sound+a+lot%2C+but+fixing+potholes+is+an+expensive+business+and+there%27s+an+estimated+two+million+of+them+still+to+fill.%0A%0AMeanwhile+the+new+government+is+unlikely+to+whip+out+the+chequebook.+Paul+Kitson+from+the+Local+Government+Association+believes+the+condition+of+our+roads+will+get+worse.+He+said%3A+%22Looking+ahead%2C+you%27ve+only+got+to+look+at+what+the+government+is+facing+in+terms+of+public+sector+finance+cuts+and+I+think+things+will+get+worse.+But+I+think+the+whole+of+our+public+forum%2C+everything+that%27s+outside+people%27s+homes+will+look+shabbier+in+five+years+time+than+it+does+now.%22%0A%0AA+Richmond+Council+spokesman+said%3A%0A%0A%22Following+on+from+the+severe+winter+weather%2C+Richmond+upon+Thames%2C+along+with+many+other+parts+of+the+country%2C+was+left+with+extensive+pothole+damage+to+its+roads.%0A%0A%22A+programme+of+repair+has+been+underway+since+early+February+and+indeed+the+particular+pothole+in+question+on+Sandy+Lane+was+made+safe+within+two+hours+of+receiving+the+report+from+the+police+and+repaired+within+24+hours+of+it+being+reported+to+the+Council%2C+at+a+time+when+the+workload+of+our+road+repair+teams+was+particularly+heavy.+%0A%0A%22We+were+sorry+to+hear+about+the+problems+caused+to+Ms+Gill%2C+Mr+Hopping+and+other+road+users.++We+have+been+addressing+damage+caused+to+roads+by+the+bad+weather+as+fast+as+our+resources+allow+but+cannot+be+held+liable+for+every+case+of+accidental+damage.++Where+there+is+a+claim+against+the+Council+our+insurers+will+decide+if+there+is+a+case+to+answer+and+we+will+of+course+abide+by+that+decision.++There+is+no+question+that+we+would+consider+the+evidence+separately+to+our+insurers+and+come+to+a+different+conclusion.++Dealing+with+such+claims+is+after+all+why+we+pay+the+insurers+in+the+first+place.%0A%0A%22The+new+administration+which+took+control+of+Richmond+Council+on+7+May+has+made+road+repairs+a+major+priority+and+we+will+be+setting+out+details+of+our+plans+in+the+coming+weeks+including+the+amount+of+money+to+be+made+available+to+repair+the+boroughs+roads.%22%0A%0AWest+Berkshire+County+Council+said%3A+%0A%0A%22Obviously+we+accept+the+decision+of+the+courts.+Extensive+resurfacing+has+been+done+of+this+road+since+February+2006.+In+March+and+April+that+year+%C2%A3155%2C000+was+spent+resurfacing+the+stretch+through+Wickham%2C+and+in+2008+a+further+%C2%A3100%2C000+on+other+stretches+of+the+road.%22%0A%0AA+spokesperson+for+the+Highways+Agency+said%3A%0A+%0A%22The+network+of+motorways+and+major+A+roads+in+England%2C+which+we+are+responsible+for+managing%2C+carries+two+thirds+of+all+heavy+goods+vehicle+traffic+and+a+third+of+all+road+traffic%2C+and+remains+one+of+the+safest+road+networks+in+the+world.%0A%0A%22We+constantly+monitor+and+maintain+our+motorways+and+major+A+roads+to%0Aensure+that+they+are+in+a+safe+condition+and+where+defects+are+found+they+are+quickly+repaired.%0A%0A%22We+thoroughly+investigate+any+compensation+claims+and+deal+with+them+fairly+and+on+their+own+merits.+It+is+for+the+driver+to+provide+evidence+that+damage+was+caused+to+their+vehicle+by+a+pothole.%0A%0A%22If+the+Highways+Agency+has+acted+properly+in+monitoring+the+condition+of+the+road+in+question%2C+and+has+repaired+any+defects+promptly%2C+it+is+not+liable+to+pay+a+claim.%22%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fpothole_problems.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Watchdog+bites+Apple...&d=The+iPhone+is+one+of+the+most+successful+gadgets+ever.+Last+week+it+helped+Apple+overtake+Microsoft+as+the+world%27s+biggest+technology+company+but+as+sales+grow+so+do+complaints.%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0A%0A%0AOwners+whose+phones+have+developed+problems+have+been+accused+of+damaging+them+and+the+company+has+refused+to+pay+for+repairs.%0A%0ABut+Watchdog+has+looked+into+some+of+these+cases+again+and+it+might+be+time+that+Apple+did+too.%0A%0AiPhones+have+touch+screens%2C+GPS%2C+the+internet+and+much+more+but+some+of+the+more+sophisticated+features+are+the+ones+you+can%27t+see+including+a+bit+of+technology+that%27s+causing+some+of+you+grief...+It%27s+called+a+%27liquid+contact+indicator%27.+Normally+they%27re+found+on+the+inside+of+phones++but+the+iPhone+has+two+of+them+you+can+see+from+the+outside%2C+one+in+the+headphone+jack+and+one+in+the+charger+port.%0A%0AThey+work+a+little+bit+like+litmus+paper.+When+water+touches+them%2C+they+turn+red+and+that+helps+manufacturers+work+out+whether+your+phone%27s+been+damaged+by+water.+%0A%0ABut+some+viewers+such+as+Shaun+Kelly+have+told+us+that+isn%27t+always+the+case%3A%0A%0A%22I+know+for+fact+that+my+iPhone+hadn%27t+been+near+water%2C+but+when+I+went+to+the+Apple+shop+they+just+said+it%27s+been+immersed+in+water+and+as+such+you+have+to+buy+a+new+phone+Mr.+Kelly.+And+it%27s+tough+luck.%22%0A%0AMike+Hughes+was+another%3A%0A%22My+iPhone+has+had+the+occasional+rain+drop+on+the+screen.+It%27s+not+been+dropped+in+a+cup+of+water%2C+its+not+been+dropped+in+a+puddle+and+I+couldn%27t+see+how+there+was+any+way+it+was+water+damage.%22%0A%0AThe+Apple+user+guide+states+that+if+your+phone+has+been+damaged+by+water+then+it%27s+not+serviceable.+This+means+you+can%27t+get+a+repair+without+paying+and+your+warranty+is+void.%0A%0ABut+the+big+question+is+-+just+because+the+indicators+on+the+outside+turn+red+does+that+mean+your+phone+has+actually+been+damaged+by+water%3F+And+does+Apple+bother+to+check%3F%0A%0AAatif+Raifiq%27s+phone+developed+problems+in+April+-+the+WiFi+and+Bluetooth+both+stopped+working.+Apple%27s+Manchester+store+told+him+he+had+one+red+tab+at+the+bottom+of+his+phone%2C+the+result%2C+they+said%2C+of+water+damage.%0A%0AAatif+couldn%27t+see+how+that+could+be+the+case%3A%0A%22It%27s+never+been+close+to+any+water+-+you+wouldn%27t+take+it+swimming+with+you+or+into+the+shower+-+you+wouldn%27t+do+any+of+that.%22%0A%0AIt+was+the+same+story+when+he+called+Apple+customer+service.+They+were+adamant+that+if+the+tab+had+turned+red+there+was+evidence+of+liquid+damage+and+therefore+his+warranty+was+void.%0A%0ATo+find+out+for+sure+whether+Aatif%27s+iPhone+had+been+damaged+by+water+Watchdog+showed+it+to+some+high-tech+engineers+to+investigate+further.%0A%0ABefore+they+opened+Aatif%27s+phone+they+could+see+there+was+a+red+tab+on+the+outside.+However%2C+when+they+opened+the+phone+up%2C+there+was+no+damage+to+the+mainboard+whatsoever.+In+fact%2C+they+told+us+that+it+looked+like+nobody+had+opened+his+phone+before+them+to+check.%0AThe+question+they+raised+was+how+without+Apple+actually+opening+it%2C+can+they+prove+that+there%27s+liquid+damage+to+the+device%3F%0A%0AThe+engineers+found+that+Aatif%27s+internal+indicators+were+clearly+white+-+a+sure+sign+there+was+no+water+damage+inside.%0A%0ASo+is+Apple+being+thorough+enough+with+their+own+checks%3F+%0A%0AAnd+what+is+turning+these+outside+indicators+red%3F+Are+they+too+sensitive%3F+Some+customers+in+the+US+think+they+are+as+they%27ve+just+filed+a+lawsuit+against+Apple.%0AThey+say+the+company+has+blamed+tiny+amounts+of+moisture%2C+even+sweat%2C+for+turning+the+tabs+red.%0A%0ASo+how+much+water+does+it+take+to+actually+trip+one+of+these+sensors%3F+We+made+a+number+of+calls+to+Apple%2C+posing+as+a+customer+with+one+red+sensor.+They+listed+several+reasons+why++sensors+could+be+triggered+without+actually+dropping+the+phone+in+a+puddle+or+down+the+loo.+%0A%0AThese+included+having+it+near+a+shower+or+using+it+in+the+rain+which+are+both+mentioned+in+the+manual.+However%2C+we+were+also+told+to+not+have+it+in+a+moist+area+like+a+wet+hand+and+that+the+problem+could+be+due+to+condensation.+%0A%0ASo+if+a+mere+drop+of+rain%2C+condensation+or+sweat+can+make+your+outside+indicators+go+red%2C+how+many+iPhone+owners+are+walking+around+with+voided+warranties+and+not+realising%3F+We+checked+fifteen+iPhones+at+random+on+a+busy+shopping+street+and+found+that+three+of+them+had+red+tabs+and+their+owners+had+no+idea.%0A%0AIt+is+worth+remembering+that+if+you+open+your+iPhone+at+home+you+will+void+the+warranty.%0A%0AApple+told+Watchdog+the+following%3A%0A%0A%22If+an+iPhone+has+been+damaged+by+liquid%2C+the+service+or+replacement+is+not+covered+by+the+Apple+one+year+limited+warranty+or+an+AppleCare+Protection+Plan+%28APP%29.+It+would+be+eligible+for+Out+Of+Warranty+Service.+Currently%2C+if+a+customer+takes+their+iPhone+to+an+Apple+Retail+Store%2C+the+warranty+will+only+be+void+due+to+liquid+damage+if+all+indicators+have+been+triggered.%0A%0AFurther+information+on+iPhone+warranty+can+be+found+on+Apple%27s+website%3A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fuk%2Fsupport%2Fiphone%2Fservice%2Fexchange%2F%0A%0APlease+note%3A+The+BBC+is+not+responsible+for+the+content+of+external+sites&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fiphone_problems.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Spanish+dreams+reduced+to+rubble&d=From+sophisticated+Seville+to+the+tourist+magnet+of+Malaga%2C+the+Spanish+region+of+Andalucia+is+a+place+thousands+of+British+people+have+made+home.%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0A%0A%0ABut+for+some%2C+the+paradise+they+dreamed+of+is+crumbling.+Thousands+of+new+homes+in+Andalucia%2C+as+in+other+regions+of+Spain%2C+have+been+declared+illegal.+Some+have+even+been+threatened+with+demolition.%0AWhen+Bruce+Hobday%27s+house+was+built+four+years+ago+in+Northern+Andalucia+his+builders+assured+him+they%27d+got+all+the+right+permissions+and+licences+in+place.%0A%0ABut+two+years+later+the+Spanish+police+told+Bruce+the+permissions+he%27d+been+told+about+didn%27t+exist+and+his+home+was+illegal.+They+were+planning+to+prosecute+the+builder%2C+and+they+could+call+in+the+bulldozers.%0A%0AThe+electricity+company+also+declared+his+builder+had+been+taking+electricity+unlawfully%2C+so+they+cut+off+his+supply.+Bruce+and+his+neighbours+now+share+a+generator+for+just+twelve+hours+a+day.%0A%0AThe+Hobdays+are+among+thousands+of+people+across+Spain+whose+homes+have+been+declared+illegal.+Over+the+last+decade+people+flocked+to+the+country+in+search+of+a+place+in+the+sun.+Local+builders%2C+lawyers+and+estate+agents+welcomed+them+and+local+town+halls+-+which+gave+planning+permission+-+were+only+too+happy+to+oblige.%0A%0ANow+it+has+emerged+that+homes+were+given+permission+to+be+built+on+rustic%2C+or+farming+land+where+building+is+often+forbidden.+In+many+cases+lawyers+and+even+local+mayors+didn%27t+inform+the+regional+government+they+had+given+permissions+to+build+in+these+areas.%0A%0AThe+regional+government+should+know+when+new+homes+are+built%2C+because+unless+they+do+the+permissions+signed+off+by+the+town+halls+are+worthless.+Regional+governments+have+now+declared+thousands+of+homes+illegal%2C+and+have+ordered+some+to+be+demolished.%0A%0AHelen+and+Len+Prior+know+all+about+that+threat.+Their+home+in+Northern+Andalucia+was+demolished+in+2008+by+the+Andalucian+regional+government%2C+five+years+after+they+moved+in.+%0A%0AThe+Priors+had+received+warnings+that+their+home+had+been+built+illegally%2C+but+they%27d+appealed+against+the+decision+and+were+waiting+for+it+to+be+heard+in+a+court+in+Madrid.++The+regional+government+acted+before+their+case+was+heard+and+gave+the+Priors+just+a+few+hours+to+move+their+belongings.%0A%0ALast+year+the+Constitutional+Court+in+Madrid+accepted+the+Priors%27+home+had+been+wrongly+demolished.+It+ordered+their+town+hall+to+provide+them+with+alternative+accommodation%2C+but+more+than+two+years+later+the+couple+are+still+fighting+for+compensation.%0A%0A%22We+did+nothing+wrong.++We+have+got+to+fight.+And+Len+and+I+will+fight+with+walking+sticks+and+Zimmer+frames+if+necessary%2C%22+Helen+Prior+told+Watchdog.%0A%0AMarta+Andreasen%2C+an+MEP+for+the+South+East+of+England%2C+used+the+Priors%27+case+as+an+example+when+she+criticised+the+Spanish+Prime+Minister+about+this+issue+in+the+European+Parliament+in+January+2010.++%0A%0AShe+told+Watchdog%3A+%22The+Spanish+government+should+recognise+the+rights+of+people+who+acquired+the+houses+in+good+faith+and+in+the+case+where+the+houses+have+to+be+demolished+because+of+environmental+issues%2C+they+should+be+compensated+fairly.%22%0A%0AAlthough+the+regional+government+of+Andalucia+has+already+had+one+demolition+declared+incorrect%2C+it+hasn%27t+stopped+it+pressing+ahead+with+plans+for+more.+In+some+cases%2C+the+people+whose+houses+are+at+threat+know+nothing+about+the+legal+battles+over+their+homes+until+it+is+too+late.%0A%0AChristine+and+Noel+Payne+moved+into+their+home+in+northern+Andalucia+in+2003.++For+six+years%2C+without+their+knowledge%2C+the+regional+government+and+their+local+town+hall+have+been+arguing+in+court+over+whether+the+building+broke+local+planning+laws.++They+were+only+told+in+December+2009+when+they+received+a+letter+telling+them+their+house+would+need+to+be+demolished.%0A%0A%22If+you+see+the+police+or+a+bulldozer+anywhere+as+you%27re+going+into+the+town+you+panic.++And+it+just+takes+all+your+normal+way+of+living+away%2C%22+Christine+told+Watchdog.++%0A%0ARecently%2C+the+threat+of+demolition+grew+ever+closer+for+people+in+Andalucia+whose+homes+have+been+declared+illegal.++A+new+law+brought+in+last+month+in+the+region+means+illegal+houses+could+be+demolished+in+just+one+month.++%0A%0AThe+new+law+is+meant+to+stop+new+illegal+developments+springing+up+but+those+who%27ve+lived+in+the+region+for+years+and+whose+houses+are+illegal+are+worried+that+it+could+be+applied+retrospectively.%0A%0A%22Our+concern+is+that+it%27s+not+clear+in+the+text+whether+it+can+be+applied+to+illegal+houses+of+longstanding%2C+and+it+has+not+been+unknown+for+the+governments+of+this+area+to+act+hastily+in+the+demolition+of+houses%2C%22+said+Maura+Hillen%2C+president+of+AUAN%2C+a+residents%27+group+representing+600+people+whose+houses+have+been+declared+illegal.%0A%0AThis+week%2C+Christine+and+Noel+Payne%27s+demolition+order+was+postponed+because+they+had+not+been+informed+of+all+the+legal+proceedings+in+their+case.%0A%0AThe+Spanish+Embassy+in+London+told+Watchdog%3A+%0A%0A%22Hundreds+of+thousands+of+British+citizens+own+properties+in+Spain.+The+great+majority+of+them+have+no+problems+and+happily+enjoy+their+homes.+The+cases+mentioned+in+the+BBC+programme+%22Watchdog%22+are+very+regrettable%2C+but+rather+exceptional.+%0A%0A%22There+are+different+reasons+for+these+cases.+Some+are+due+to+fraud+committed+by+private+companies+or+individuals.+Sometimes+the+houses+are+against+the+law%2C+in+particular+against+planning+or+environmental+legislation.++++++%0A%0A%22The+Spanish+authorities+are+fully+aware+of+these+problems+and+are+doing+their+utmost+to+help+those+affected+and+to+try+to+solve+these+unfortunate+situations.+Their+rights+are+fully+protected%2C+as+Spain+is+a+State+based+on+the+rule+of+law.%22+&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fspanishhomes.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=The+Sun+set+on+a+promotion...&d=Sun+T-Shirt+Promotion%0A%0AThe+Sun+promised+a+free+England+t-shirt+for+every+reader%2C+inviting+them+to+collect+tokens+by+buying+copies+of+the+newspaper+on+ten+consecutive+days+last+month.+They+were+then+told+they+could+swap+the+tokens+for+shirts+at+their+nearest+branch+of+JJB+Sports.%0A%0AHowever%2C+Watchdog+has+received+complaints+from+viewers+who+on+taking+their+tokens+to+JJB+have+been+told+that+the+t-shirts+have+all+gone.+%0A%0AThe+Sun+said+that+readers+can+send+off+for+the+t-shirts+instead+but+there+could+be+a+wait+of+up+to+28+days+before+you+receive+anything+back.+Not+great+news+considering+the+tournament+starts+in+just+over+a+week.%0AThe+Sun+told+Watchdog%3A+%0A%0A%22When+setting+up+promotions+we+always+anticipate+how+much+stock+our+retail+partners+will+need+to+meet+demand.++%0A%0AThis+offer+has+been+one+of+The+Sun%27s+most+popular+with+many+more+people+than+expected+coming+in+to+JJB+Sports+stores+to+collect+their+t-shirts.++%0A%0AThis+meant+a+small+number+of+stores+ran+out+of+stock+before+their+next+delivery+arrived.%0A%0ASince+the+matter+came+to+our+attention%2C+we+have+taken+several+steps+to+make+sure+everyone+who+collected+10+tokens+will+receive+their+t-shirt+as+quickly+and+easily+as+possible%3A+%0A%0A-+We+have+organised+two+additional+deliveries+of+t-shirts+to+every+JJB+Sports+store+across+England+and+Wales.+There+are+now+more+than+37%2C000+t-shirts+available+for+collection+from+over+500+JJB+Sports+stores.+%0A%0A-+We+have+carried+regular+updates+in+the+paper+every+day+explaining+how+readers+can+get+their+t-shirts.+%0A%0A-+For+those+unable+to+make+it+to+a+JJB+Sports+store%2C+we+have+set+up+a+free-of-charge+postal+redemption+service.++Readers+should+send+their+10+tokens+and+application+form+to+the+address+below%2C+remembering+to+specify+what+size+shirt+they+require+%28S%2C+M%2C+L+or+XL%29%3A+%0A%0AThe+Sun+T-Shirt+Offer%0APO+Box+121%0AKettering%0ANorthants%0ANN14+4ZQ%0A%0AWe+are+informing+readers+this+postal+option+may+take+up+to+28+days+but+in+reality+we+anticipate+the+vast+majority+of+people+will+get+their+t-shirt+well+before+that.++We+have+waived+the+P%26P+charge+on+this+option+so+it+will+only+cost+readers+the+price+of+a+stamp+to+send+in+their+application+form+and+tokens.%0A%0AWe+would+like+to+thank+all+those+who+have+collected+tokens+for+bearing+with+us+while+we+do+everything+we+can+to+meet+this+unexpectedly+high+demand.+Everyone+who+has+collected+their+tokens+in+The+Sun+will+get+their+free+t-shirt+at+a+JJB+Sports+store+or+via+the+post.%22+&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F06%2Fthe_sun_set_on_a_promotion.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Crown+Paint+-+not+to+be+sniffed+at%3F&d=Who+really+enjoys+decorating%3F+Especially+the+paint+stench%3F+%0A%0A+In+order+to+see+this+content+you+need+to+have+both+Javascript+enabled+and+Flash+installed.+Visit+BBC+Webwise+for+full+instructions.+If+you%27re+reading+via+RSS%2C+you%27ll+need+to+visit+the+blog+to+access+this+content.+++%0A%0A%0A%0ASo%2C+when+Crown+brought+out+their+range+of+%27Breatheasy%27+paints+they+hoped+to+appeal+to+our+noses+as+well+as+our+eyes.+On+paper+the+phrase+%22virtually+odour+free%22+looked+like+a+winner+but+in+practice+it+might+be+coming+back+to+haunt+them...%0AWatchdog+viewer+Debbie+Aunger+wanted+to+spruce+up+her+daughter+Michaela%27s+bedroom+over+the+Easter+holiday+and+Crown%27s+paint+seemed+ideal+for+the+job.%0A%0ASeven+weeks+later+Anita+Rani+visited+Debbie%27s+home+in+Cambridgeshire+for+a+bit+of+a+sniff.+%0A%0AShe+thought+the+bedroom+smelt+like+%22a+damp+cloth+that%27s+been+left+to+rot.+It%27s+just+musty+and+not+very+pleasant.%22%0A+%0ADebbie+reckons+it+was+%22a+dirty+sort+of+smell%22.+She+says+the+smell+comes+and+goes+and+varies+from+mild+to+intense.+When+it+was+at+its+worst%2C+the+family+suspected+they+had+a+dead+animal+in+the+house+and+turned+the+place+upside+down+looking+for+it.+They+even+called+in+the+council+to+investigate+before+eventually+realising+that+the+smell+was+coming+from+the+walls%0A+%0AWhen+Anita+visited+she+thought+that+there+was+still+something+in+the+air+but+although+the+room+smelt+different+to+the+rest+of+the+house%2C+%22the+hum%22+wasn%27t+that+bad.%0A%0ADebbie+reckoned+Anita+had+come+on+a+good+day+and+if+the+heating+is+on+because+it%27s+a+cold+day+and+you+open+the+curtains+and+you+open+the+windows+the+smells+increases.%0A%0AOther+viewers+who+contacted+Watchdog+said+their+Crown+painted+walls+smelt+of+ammonia+or+wee.+And+according+to+Robert+King+from+Essex%2C+the+problem+isn%27t+restricted+to+Crown%27s+Breatheasy+range.+He%27s+had+similar+issues+with+the+company%27s+trade+paint.+He+thought+the+smell+was+down+to+a+gas+leak+or+a+drainage+problem.%0A%0AThere+have+been+other+complaints+to+Watchdog.+Each+time%2C+similar+words+come+up.+And+there%27ve+been+dozens+of+complaints+to+the+DIY+Doctor%2C+an+online+forum+for+decorating+advice.+%0A%0AMike+Edwards+set-up+the+site+after+a+career+in+the+building+trade.+He+says+it%27s+now+the+largest+online+DIY+advice+resource+in+the+UK+and+that+the+smelly+paint+issue+has+attracted+a+lot+of+attention.%0A%0AMike+told+Watchdog%2C+%22My+webmaster+said+to+me%2C+you+know+this+topic+is+really%2C+really+busy+with+46%2C000+views.+We%27ve+not+experienced+anything+like+this+before+for+one+single+product.%22+%0A%0AWatchdog+has+heard+a+few+whispers+about+whiffy+issues+with+other+brands+but+the+majority+of+our+complaints+mention+Crown.++%0A%0ATwo+weeks+ago+there+was+a+breakthrough+-+maybe+Crown+had+realised+what%27s+causing+the+stench%3F+Mike+Edwards+had+a+mammoth+three-hour+meeting+at+Crown%27s+HQ+to+see+the+experiments+they+are+conducting+into+the+smells.+%0A%0AMike+said%2C+%22Some+of+the+tests+are+stunning.+They+are+able+to+identify+shall+we+say+rogue+atoms+in+the+air+that+could+be+causing+the+odour+down+to+one+part+in+a+million.%22+%0A%0ABut+despite+all+the+technical+wizardry%2C+Crown+can%27t+pinpoint+the+problem+and+the+next+day%2C+we+were+in+the+City+of+London+to+meet+Crown%27s+Technical+Director+to+discuss+the+issue.%0A%0AThere+are+still+plenty+of+unanswered+questions+about+why+this+paint+can+sometimes+cause+a+bit+of+a+stench+but+I+only+had+one+question+for+the+company+-+Why+do+their+tins+still+say+%27virtually+odour+free%27+on+them%3F++%0A%0AIn+the+meeting+they+told+me+that+they+felt+it+was+perfectly+ok+to+have+that+written+on+there+because+they+say+the+bad+smell+wasn%27t+coming+from+their+paint.+Crown+claim+that+this+is+a+problem+with+all+brands+of+matt+vinyl+paint+and+that+it%27s+affecting+people+around+the+world+-+in+America%2C+Australia%2C+France%2C+even+Serbia.+%0A%0AThey+say+they%27ve+been+investigating+this+problem+for+over+a+year+and+have+currently+got+a+German+company+conducting+further+tests.+%0A%0ABut+the+crux+is+Crown+say+this+isn%27t+a+problem+with+their+paint%2C+but+your+potentially+smelly+walls.+%0A%0ACrown+Paints+statement%3A%0A%0A%22This+is+a+rare+phenomenon+affecting+many+different+brands+across+the+global+paint+industry.+It+is+generally+known+as+wall+odour.%0A%0A%22The+odour+is+caused+not+by+the+paint+itself%2C+but+by+bacteria+or+chemicals+present+on+a+very+small+number+of+walls.+The+chances+of+being+affected+are+around+1+in+100%2C000.+In+the+unlikely+event+that+you+experience+the+phenomenon%2C+it+is+easily+rectified+by+applying+an+alkali+resistant+sealer+to+the+offending+wall+before+repainting.%0A%0A%22At+Crown+Paints%2C+our+commitment+to+customers+is+at+the+heart+of+everything+we+do.+We+have+offered+immediate+advice+to+carry+out+the+relevant+remedial+work+for+the+very+few+customers+who+have+approached+us.+We+have+also+conducted+rigorous+tests+on+both+the+affected+wall+and+the+paint.+All+tests+have+been+verified+by+independent+industry+bodies+and+leading+academics%2C+and+confirm+beyond+any+doubt+that+wall+odour+phenomenon+is+not+caused+by+the+paint+itself.+Nor+is+there+any+evidence+of+health+and+safety+side+effects.%0A%0A%22Crown+Paints+is+leading+the+way+in+researching+and+tackling+this+industry+phenomenon+and+we+are+now+close+to+pinpointing+a+definitive+answer+to+the+problem.%22%0A%0A%22Contact+details+for+consumers%3A+For+further+advice+and+customer+service+contact+details+for+some+of+the+major+UK+paint+brands%2C+the+PRA+%28Paint+Research+Association%29+has+a+dedicated+section+within+its+website%2C+at+www.pra-world.com%2Fwallodour.%0A%0A%22Similarly%2C+Crown+Paints+is+encouraging+any+of+its+customers+who+think+they+may+be+experiencing+wall+odour+phenomenon+to+visit+its+painting+and+decorating+advice+website+for+further+information+at+www.askcrown.co.uk%2C+or+to+call+the+customer+service+team+directly+on+their+dedicated+helpline%2C+on+0845+521+2499.%22+%0A%0ANote%3A+You+may+be+charged+for+calls+to+this+number.%0A%0A%0AIndustry+statements+on+%27wall+odour%27%0A%0AStatement+from+the+PRA+%28Paint+research+Association%29%3A%0A%0A%22Over+recent+years%2C+the+solvent+content+of+paint+and+coatings+has+become+the+subject+of+more+stringent+regulation+in+many+countries%2C+particularly+in+Europe+and+North+America.+The+industry+has+responded+with+products+that+feature+very+low+or+no+solvent+content.%0A%0A%22Where+previously%2C+the+solvent+content+in+paint+would+have+masked+any+underlying+smells+in+substrates%2C+the+introduction+of+products+with+low+and+no+odour+formulations+has+coincided+with+a+growing+awareness+of+%27wall+odour%27+when+paint+is+applied+to+certain+substrates+and+in+certain+conditions.%0A%0A%22While+%27wall+odour%27is+not+limited+to+any+particular+paint+manufacturer+or+brand%2C+it+remains+quite+rare.+it+is+also+preventable+or+easily+rectified.+Customers+should+not+be+alarmed+and+we+recommend+that+they+seek+advice+from+their+paint+manufacturer+for+methods+to+avoid+or+resolve+the+issue.%22%0A%0AStatement+from+the+BCF+%28British+Coatings+Federation%29%3A%0A%0A%22%27Wall+odour%27+or+%27ghost+odour%27+is+an+issue+that+is+known+to+have+existed+in+the+global+paint+industry+for+a+number+of+years+and+does+not+relate+to+any+specific+manufacturer.+There+have+been+reports+of+this+effect+from+the+UK%2C+Europe%2C+USA+and+Australia%2C+although+the+numbers+are+extremely+small.%0A%0A%22In+the+UK%2C+it+is+accepted+that+instances+of+%27wall+odour%27+is+an+industry-wide+issue+that+affects+a+very+small+number+of+customers.%0A%0A%22Crown+Paints+is+active+in+the+UK+industry+in+attempting+to+find+a+solution+to+what+we+believe+is+a+situation+caused+by+conditions+in+or+on+the+wall+being+painted.%0A%0A%22In+the+limited+occurances%2C+we+would+always+advise+the+individual+customer+to+seek+professional+advice+from+the+manufacturer.%22&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F05%2Fcrown_paints.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Get+your+kit+on...&d=The+England+World+Cup+football+kit.+Flying+off+the+shelves+in+the+countdown+to+South+Africa...%0A%0A%0A%0AA+kids%27+replica+top+comes+in+at+%C2%A339.99.+But+why+so+pricey%3F+After+all%2C+an+extra-large+version+of+the+adult+shirt+costs+only+ten+pounds+more%2C+at+%C2%A349.99.+But+remember%2C+VAT+is+charged+on+adult+clothes%2C+so+when+you+strip+out+the+tax%2C+the+big+one+costs+just+%C2%A32.55+more+than+the+tiny+one...%0A%0ASo+do+the+new+shirts+make+you+feel+over+the+moon%2C+or+do+the+prices+leave+you+as+sick+as+a+parrot%3F+Let+us+know...%0A%0A%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fwatchdog%2F2010%2F05%2Fget_your_kit_on.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Housing+market+to+stay+flat+until+2013+-+Telegraph.co.uk&d=Daily+MailHousing+market+to+stay+flat+until+2013Telegraph.co.ukThe+think+tank+said+that+although+there+would+be+no+double-dip+in+the+housing+market+%E2%80%93+with+%26quot%3Bdoomsayers%26quot%3B+incorrectly+predicting+sharp+...MPC+likely+to+keep+interest+rates+steady+as+global+recovery+slowsThe+Guardianall+96+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNElxYUw2fwP9aeCCLvy9OAdMhmG8w%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Ffinance%2Fnewsbysector%2Fconstructionandproperty%2F7920146%2FHousing-market-to-stay-flat-until-2013.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Fixing+the+Broken+US+Housing+Market+-+MyBankTracker.com&d=Fixing+the+Broken+US+Housing+MarketMyBankTracker.comGeithner+also+mentioned+a+%E2%80%9Ccomprehensive+reform+proposal+that+protects+taxpayers%2C+institutes+tough+oversight%2C+restores+the+long-term+health+of+our+housing+...Congressional+Documents+and+PublicationsInsurance+News+Net+%28press+release%29Obama+Administration+Announces+Conference+on+Housing+Finance+Reform+...Media+Newswire+%28press+release%29Fannie+Mae+RedemptionPR+Newswire+%28press+release%29Automated+Trader%26nbsp%3B-Housing+Wire%26nbsp%3B-Forbesall+32+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNEDsqxY5SgS1a566agQyJVoMF4W3A%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.mybanktracker.com%2Fbank-news%2F2010%2F08%2F02%2Ffixing-housing-finance-system%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Wall+Street%27s+Mood+Shift+Is+Signaling+a+Profit-Making+Price+Push+Ahead+-+Money+Morning&d=Wall+Street%26%2339%3Bs+Mood+Shift+Is+Signaling+a+Profit-Making+Price+Push+AheadMoney+MorningTuesday%3A+Home+prices+jumped+1.2%25+in+May+as+the+housing+market+enters+a+period+of+seasonal+strength+with+affordability+at+attractive+levels+thanks+to+...and+more%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3BGoogle+News&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNEsQD-x2uhWRqXzbW_TfuJ3HH2tvg%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fmoneymorning.com%2F2010%2F08%2F02%2Fwall-street-3%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Habitats+%7C+Hillcrest%2C+Queens%3A+A+Semi-Secret+Garden+in+Queens+%28source%3A+New+York+Times%29+&d=A+watercolorist+and+her+husband+have+a+lushly+planted+backyard+at+their+home+in+Hillcrest%2C+with+plants+that+figure+in+her+paintings.+%28source%3A+New+York+Times%29+-+Share+on+Twitter+-+Share+on+Facebook+-+RSS+and+RSS+Feed+on+Feedzilla.com+&l=+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feedzilla.com%2Fr%2F1F1DF2432FA5147A1FCAEFA8B11026C229D590EA 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=The+Hunt%3A+Shoe+Leather+Produces+a+Studio+for+a+Shoestring+Budget+%28source%3A+New+York+Times%29+&d=For+Patrick+Shindell%2C+finding+something+in+Manhattan+in+his+price+range+-+under+%24300%2C000+-+was+a+tall+order.+%28source%3A+New+York+Times%29+-+Share+on+Twitter+-+Share+on+Facebook+-+RSS+feeds+and+Widgets++on+Feedzilla.com+&l=+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feedzilla.com%2Fr%2F8D92C110ED194B0EFF84CC48DC8B9FD47ECFCD9A 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Living+In%3A+Hints+of+Recovery+for+Riverfront+Village+%28source%3A+New+York+Times%29+&d=A+Rockland+County+village+on+the+Hudson+River+was+hit+hard+by+the+recession%2C+but+is+making+a+slow+recovery+back.+%28source%3A+New+York+Times%29+-+Share+on+Twitter+-+Share+on+Facebook+-+RSS+and+RSS+Feed+on+Feedzilla.com+&l=+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feedzilla.com%2Fr%2F7F1C0018C7AC7877A8B1F73BC7280E7959DBB3DA 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Bulls+tiptoe+into+homebuilder+stocks+%28source%3A+CNN%29+&d=It+takes+a+lot+of+courage+to+be+a+bull+on+homebuilder+stocks+these+days.+They+exist%2C+for+sure.+And+they+aren%27t+on+mind-bending+drugs.+In+fact%2C+they+see+the+world+much+as+the+housing+stock+bears+do.+You+won%27t+find+any+uplifting+messages+in+their+reports+on+...+%28source%3A+CNN%29+-+Share+on+Twitter+-+Share+on+Facebook+-+RSS+and+RSS+Feed+on+Feedzilla.com+&l=+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feedzilla.com%2Fr%2F0A69FF867A310D6BF6160178E784A22A60CCB453 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=For+sale%3A+Dennis+Hopper%27s+compound+%28source%3A+CNN%29+&d=The+%22Easy+Rider%22+left+us+earlier+this+year.+Now+his+stunning+Venice%2C+Calif.%2C+compound+is+on+the+market+-+for+%246.25+million.+%28source%3A+CNN%29+-+Share+on+Twitter+-+Share+on+Facebook+-+RSS+and+RSS+Feed+on+Feedzilla.com+&l=+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feedzilla.com%2Fr%2F4975D899E0C7886BDAA11DC911C98F9B46AF0A7F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Market+watch%3A+Rise+in+prices%3F+Get+ready+for+a+fall+-+Daily+Mail&d=lovemoney.comMarket+watch%3A+Rise+in+prices%3F+Get+ready+for+a+fallDaily+MailBut+it%26%2339%3Bs+not+easy+to+find+a+buyer+in+the+housing+market+right+now+But+the+increase+is+relevant+only+to+those+lucky+sellers+who+have+found+a+buyer%2C+...House+price+growth+comes+to+a+haltMortgage+SolutionsWhat+is+the+average+UK+house+price%3FThe+Move+Channelall+7+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNEg-jokJI0h8jj-fZflpVo9vlAsAA%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fproperty%2Farticle-1299672%2FMarket-watch-Rise-prices-Get-ready-fall.html%3Fito%253Dfeeds-newsxml 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Fort+Myers+has+home+bargains+as+market+recovers+from+bubble+-+USA+Today&d=Fort+Myers+has+home+bargains+as+market+recovers+from+bubbleUSA+TodayThe+Fort+Myers%2C+Fla.%2C+housing+market+was+starting+to+turn+around+until+it+hit+a+snag+this+year.+Fort+Myers+had+been+one+of+the+...and+more%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNHq1OD0fETwB5m9BoFxpIs7l4HWGg%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fmoney%2Feconomy%2Fhousing%2Fclosetohome%2F2010-08-02-fort-myers-close-to-home_N.htm 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Dual+Role+in+Housing+Deals+Puts+Spotlight+on+Deutsche+-+Wall+Street+Journal&d=Dual+Role+in+Housing+Deals+Puts+Spotlight+on+DeutscheWall+Street+Journal%26quot%3BSome+clients+sought+more+exposure+to+the+housing+market%2C+while+others+sought+less%2C%26quot%3B+a+spokesman+for+Deutsche+said.+%26quot%3BWe+served+clients+whatever+their+...and+more%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNHQp-6hMRvGXf7yqnt6z1xz9Eihzg%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052748703900004575325232441982598.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Get+on+the+REIT+Side+of+the+Market+-+Barron%27s&d=Get+on+the+REIT+Side+of+the+MarketBarron%27sTHE+HOUSING+MARKET+STILL+weighs+heavily+on+the+economy+and+on+investment+portfolios.+...Reports+on+Earnings+Loom+Over+REITsWall+Street+Journalall+10+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNHFXja9v5lG0hHtWdR0Uf-TyzPZtQ%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fonline.barrons.com%2Farticle%2FSB50001424052970204811204575405452942665566.html%3Fmod%253Dgooglenews_barrons 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Housing+market+to+stay+flat+until+2013+-+Telegraph.co.uk&d=Mortgage+StrategyHousing+market+to+stay+flat+until+2013Telegraph.co.ukThe+think+tank+said+that+although+there+would+be+no+double-dip+in+the+housing+market+%E2%80%93+with+%26quot%3Bdoomsayers%26quot%3B+incorrectly+predicting+sharp+...MPC+likely+to+keep+interest+rates+steady+as+global+recovery+slowsThe+Guardianall+98+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNElxYUw2fwP9aeCCLvy9OAdMhmG8w%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Ffinance%2Fnewsbysector%2Fconstructionandproperty%2F7920146%2FHousing-market-to-stay-flat-until-2013.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Now+banks+accused+of+causing+mortgage+famine+-+Independent&d=Which4U+-+UKNow+banks+accused+of+causing+mortgage+famineIndependentBritain%26%2339%3Bs+mortgage+lenders+are+continuing+to+apply+the+brakes+to+the+housing+market%2C+with+new+data+revealing+that+...25+per+cent+deposit+still+the+golden+ticketMortgage+IntroducerResearch+finds+buyers+still+need+large+depositHome+Moveall+28+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNGeoFW6wQUMJT1Xj8pHhsa8eGTAdQ%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2Fnow-banks-accused-of-causing-mortgage-famine-2041771.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=HSBC+Says+Hong+Kong+at+Risk+of+Property+Bubble+-+Bloomberg&d=Daily+Star+-+LebanonHSBC+Says+Hong+Kong+at+Risk+of+Property+BubbleBloombergWong+also+discusses+the+Asia-Pacific+economy%2C+the+company%26%2339%3Bs+earnings+and+Hong+Kong%26%2339%3Bs+property+market.+HSBC+said+first-half+net+income+doubled+as+the+North+...Profits+soar+at+HSBC+amid+lending+rowThis+is+MoneyInstant+view+-+HSBC+H1+profit+more+than+doublesReuters+UKBad+Debts+Tumble%2C+HSBC+Makes+BillionsMotley+FoolIndependentall+549+news+articles%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNHoszlcoXUbOtj5Q_rskxYepJkZqg%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2010-08-03%2Fhong-kong-may-face-property-bubble-if-prices-keep-rising-hsbc-s-wong-says.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Market+mixed%2C+location+makes+a+difference+-+San+Jose+Mercury+News&d=Market+mixed%2C+location+makes+a+differenceSan+Jose+Mercury+NewsThe+US+housing+market+has+received+mixed+reviews+lately%2C+but+the+market%26%2339%3Bs+outlook+can+be+positive+or+...and+more%26nbsp%3B%26raquo%3B&l=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26fd%3DR%26usg%3DAFQjCNGnRgbu8t99h9TXEHue2tAOjZfXhg%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercurynews.com%2Fsan-jose-neighborhoods%2Fci_15662487 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.3200 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog 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http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=French+real+estate+market+in+recovery+but+prices+vary+enormously+among+regions%2C+new+analysis+shows&d=The+residential+real+estate+market+in+France+is+slowly+recovering+from+its+low+point+at+the+end+of+2008+although+price+growth+is+variable%2C+a+new+focus+report+shows.%0A%0A%0A++%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FOverseasPropertyAndRealEstateNews%2F%7E3%2FjOP65-9Ausg%2Ffrench-real-estate-market-201008134404.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=NZ+property+prices+slowing+as+analysts+predict+4%25+fall+in+next+year&d=Residential+property+prices+in+New+Zealand+are+still+rising%2C+but+at+a+slower+rate+with+some+experts+predicting+that+they+will+fall+around+4%25+in+the+next+12+months.%0A%0A%0A++%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FOverseasPropertyAndRealEstateNews%2F%7E3%2FQOYL2_lYonk%2Fnew-zealand-property-prices-201008124401.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Dubai%C2%92s+iconic+palm+island+reaches+low+point+as+property+prices+hit+three+year+low&d=It+is+probably+one+of+the+most+iconic+pieces+of+real+estate+in+the+world%2C+but+Dubai%26rsquo%3Bs+man+made+island+Palm+Jumeirah+is+now+known+for+rock+bottom+property+prices+and+delays+in+project+openings.%0A%0A%0A++%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FOverseasPropertyAndRealEstateNews%2F%7E3%2Flz2ukXTR3eo%2Fdubai-palm-prices-down-201008124400.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Analysts+expect+property+prices+to+fall+in+second+half+of+2010&d=Residential+property+prices+in+China%26rsquo%3Bs+major+cities+are+expected+to+fall+later+this+year+because+of+the+government%26rsquo%3Bs+tightening+campaign+and+a+coming+surge+in+housing+supply%2C+it+is+claimed.%0A%0A%0A++%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FOverseasPropertyAndRealEstateNews%2F%7E3%2FgnlHZt4Od8c%2Fchina-property-price-falls-201008124399.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Price+falls+in+UK+property+market+will+not+be+disastrous%2C+just+put+off+full+recovery+by+up+to+a+year&d=The+UK+residential+real+estate+market+is+on+the+cusp+of+further+falls+that+will+erode+much+of+the+unsustainable+price+rises+seen+in+the+last+15+months%2C+according+to+analysts.%0A%0A%0A++%0A&l=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FOverseasPropertyAndRealEstateNews%2F%7E3%2FWGN4USNPLaM%2Fuk-real-estate-prices-201008114395.html 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Countryside+Properties+gets+the+go+ahead+in+Barking+&d=Countryside+Properties+has+been+granted+outline+planning+permission+by+the+London+Thames+Gateway+Development+Corporation+for+Fresh+Wharf+in+Barking.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fcountryside-properties-gets-the-go-ahead-in-barking%2F5004218.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Berkeley+Homes+submits+plans+for+One+Tower+Bridge&d=Berkeley+Homes+has+submitted+plans+for+its+One+Tower+Bridge+mixed+use+and+cultural+site+between+London%E2%80%99s+City+Hall+and+Tower+Bridge%2C+on+the+south+bank+of+the+Thames.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fnews%2Fsector%2Fresidential%2Fberkeley-homes-submits-plans-for-one-tower-bridge%2F5004124.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=London+flat+prices+outperform+national+average&d=Flat+prices+in+central+London+showed+a+2.3%25+increase+between+the+first+and+second+quarter+of+2010%2C+according+to+land+registry+data+released+today.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fnews%2Fsector%2Fresidential%2Flondon-flat-prices-outperform-national-average%2F5004027.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Brecon+Beacons+scheme+lights+ways+for+affordable+housing&d=Initiative+that+allows+development+on+rural+land+deemed+success+after+Crickhowell+%E2%80%9Cexception+site%E2%80%9D+hailed+as+exemplar&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fnews%2Fbrecon-beacons-scheme-lights-ways-for-affordable-housing%2F5003978.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Housing+crisis+could+provoke+social+unrest&d=New+research+by+the+London+School+of+Economics+and+the+Federation+of+Master+Builders+suggests+there+is+capacity+in+existing+communities+to+meet+the+UK%E2%80%99s+housing+demand+by+re-using+small%2C+empty+sites+of+up+to+2+ha&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fnews%2Fhousing-crisis-could-provoke-social-unrest%2F5003979.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=St+Modwen+gets+planning+consent+for+%C2%A310m+redevelopment+of+Sunderland+glassworks+site&d=St.+Modwen+has+received+planning+consent+to+transform+a+former+glassworks+site+into+a+%C2%A310m+mixed+use+development.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fprofessional%2Fplanning%2Fst-modwen-gets-planning-consent-for-%C2%A310m-redevelopment-of-sunderland-glassworks-site%2F5003777.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=BPF+urges+government+to+tackle+council+house+crisis+by+restoring+empty+homes&d=The+British+Property+Federation+%28BPF%29+has+urged+the+government+to+tackle+the+UK+housing+crisis+by+bringing+empty+homes+back+to+life.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fnews%2Fsector%2Fresidential%2Fbpf-urges-government-to-tackle-council-house-crisis-by-restoring-empty-homes%2F5003774.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=House+prices+rise+0.6%25+in+July&d=House+prices+rose+by+0.6%25+in+July%2C+the+Halifax+House+Price+Index+said+today%2C+offsetting+a+fall+of+the+same+amount+in+June.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fhouse-prices-rise-06-in-july%2F5003765.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Peel+secures+permission+for+%C2%A34.5bn+Wirral+scheme&d=Peel+has+secured+planning+permission+for+the+redevelopment+of+the+East+Float+site+which+forms+the+heart+of+its+%C2%A34.5bn+Wirral+Waters+regeneration+scheme+in+the+north-west+of+England.&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propertyweek.com%2Fprofessional%2Fplanning%2Fpeel-secures-permission-for-%C2%A345bn-wirral-scheme%2F5003758.article 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=House+prices+fall+for+the+first+time+in+a+year&d=House+prices+have+shown+signs+of+a+fall+for+the+first+time+in+a+year.+In+its+latest+survey+of+member%2C+the+Royal+Institution+of+Chartered+Surveyors+%28RICS%29+found+that+25%25+had+seen+prices+drop+in+the+last+three+months%2C+compared+with+11%25+reporting+rises+and+64%25+reporting+no+change.+In+July%2C+new+buyer+enquiries+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F10%2Fhouse-prices-fall-for-the-first-time-in-a-year%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Garden+grabbing+planning+reforms+overdue&d=The+Department+for+Communities+and+Local+Government+is+claiming+that+new+figures+justify+concerns+over+the+number+of+gardens+%26%238220%3Bgrabbed%26%238221%3B+for+development+in+the+last+12+years.+According+to+Decentralisation+Minister%2C+Greg+Clark%2C+the+percentage+of+new+homes+built+on+previously+residential+land%2C+which+includes+back+gardens%2C+has+increased+to+25%25%2C+up+14%25+since+1997%2C+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F09%2Fgarden-grabbing-planning-reforms-overdue%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Housebuilding+boost+with+New+Homes+Bonus&d=The+Government+is+proposing+to+tackle+the+housing+shortage+by+offering+councils+in+England+a+cash+bonus+for+every+new+home+they+allow+to+be+built.+Full+details+of+the+scheme+are+awaited+from+Housing+Minister+Grant+Shapps+but+according+to+reports%2C+the+New+Homes+Bonus+will+match+the+council+tax+raised+on+each+new+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F09%2Fhousebuilding-boost-with-new-homes-bonus%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=UK+housing+assets+double+in+value+to+%C2%A33%2C755bn&d=The+total+value+of+privately-owned+homes+in+the+UK+has+more+than+doubled+over+the+past+decade%2C+new+research+from+Halifax+shows.+The+country+saw+a+118%25+surge%2C+from+%C2%A31%2C719+billion+in+1999+to+an+estimated+%C2%A33%2C755+billion+in+2009%2C+although+the+Retail+Prices+Index+measure+of+inflation+rose+by+only+29%25+during+the+same+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F08%2Fuk-housing-assets-double-in-value-to-3755bn%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=FSA+approves+Coventry+Building+Society+merger&d=The+FSA+has+approved+a+proposed+merger+between+Coventry+Building+Society+and+Stroud+%26%2338%3B+Swindon+Building+Society.+Under+the+merger+the+two+financial+providers+will+come+together+from+the+start+of+September.+The+newly+formed+organisation+will+be+called+Coventry+Building+Society%2C+and+will+be+based+in+the+Midlands.+The+merger+was+first+announced+in+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F06%2Ffsa-approves-coventry-building-society-merger%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=First-time+buyer+numbers+hit+35-year+low&d=There+are+fewer+first-time+buyers+in+England+and+Wales+than+at+any+time+in+the+last+35+years.+Research+from+the+Home+Builders%26%238217%3B+Federation+%28HBF%29+also+suggests+that+nearly+a+third+of+men+and+a+fifth+of+women+aged+20+to+34+are+still+living+at+home+with+parents%2C+as+the+average+age+of+an+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F06%2Ffirst-time-buyer-numbers-hit-35-year-low%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Taylor+Wimpey%3A+UK+housing+market+%E2%80%9Crelatively+robust%E2%80%9D&d=Taylor+Wimpey+has+reported+%26%238220%3Brelatively+robust%26%238221%3B+UK+housing+market+conditions+over+the+first+half+of+2010%2C+having+achieved+4%2C804+legal+completions%2C+up+slightly+from+4%2C702+a+year+earlier.+The+group+sold+3%2C925+homes+to+private+buyers+and+866+to+affordable+housing+providers%2C+with+the+remainder+joint+ventures.+Encouragingly%2C+the+developer%26%238217%3Bs+cancellation+rate+scaled+back+to+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F05%2Ftaylor-wimpey-uk-housing-market-relatively-robust%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=Halifax%3A+house+prices+up+0.6%25+in+July&d=Halifax+has+reported+that+UK+house+prices+increased+by+0.6%25+in+July%2C+reversing+a+fall+of+0.6%25+in+June.+Prices+were+4.9%25+higher+year-on-year%2C+having+lost+ground+on+a+month+earlier+when+the+annual+rate+of+growth+registered+at+6.3%25.+At+%C2%A3167%2C425%2C+the+value+of+the+average+home+stood+8.3%25+above+its+April+2009+trough+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F04%2Fhalifax-house-prices-up-0-6-in-july%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=US+Pending+Home+Sales+Index+plunges+to+9-year+low&d=The+National+Association+of+Realtors+%28NAR%29+today+said+its+Pending+Home+Sales+Index+fell+by+18.6%25+in+June+on+year.+On+a+monthly+basis%2C+the+index+fell+by+2.6%25+to+75.7+points+based+on+contracts+signed+in+June+compared+with+May.+As+a+result%2C+the+index+fell+to+the+lowest+level+since+records+began+in+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F03%2Fus-pending-home-sales-index-plunges-to-9-year-low%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/?do=show&t=US+consumer+spending+flat+in+June&d=According+to+the+Commerce+Department%2C+consumer+spending+in+the+US+remained+flat+in+June.+Households+in+the+US+continue+to+be+squeezed+amid+higher+unemployment.+Consumer+spending%2C+which+makes+up+for+more+than+two-thirds+of+overall+economic+activity+in+the+US%2C+was+unchanged+from+May.+Meanwhile%2C+incomes+failed+to+increase+for+the+first+time+since+%5B...%5D&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.financemarkets.co.uk%2F2010%2F08%2F03%2Fus-consumer-spending-flat-in-june%2F 2010-08-13T14:47:47+00:00 daily 0.2048 http://www.nationalhomebuyers.org.uk/watchdog/images/logo.png NHB Watchdog