Citizens Advice has made further criticisms of the private rental sector and landlords. At the start of the year a spokesperson accused...
Archive
![Affordability crisis for tenants revealed by new index](/upload/images/shutterstock_769272595(2).jpg)
A new index shows that only one in eight potential first-time buyers can purchase the average FTB home in their area. The...
23 July 2024
From: Breaking News
![NRLA slams politicians for complete silence on key private rental issue](/upload/images/shutterstock_2410117505.jpg)
The NRLA has slammed politicians in all major parties for their silence on one of the biggest issues for the private...
01 July 2024
From: Breaking News
![Private Tenants pay three times as much for same space - claim](/upload/images/shutterstock_2402649443.jpg)
A think tank claims that when it comes to space within a home, private rental sector tenants pay three times as...
21 June 2024
From: Breaking News
![Pro-tenant activists slam Labour’s rental reform plans](/upload/images/shutterstock_1227135172(1).jpg)
Labour’s manifesto commitment to empower renters to challenge unreasonable rent increases has been slammed because it “would leave millions trapped in...
17 June 2024
From: Breaking News
![Shelter complains of high private rents - but has an alternative](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Property%20Budget.jpg)
Campaigning charity Shelter claims social rents are 64% more affordable than private rents, with social tenants in England having to pay...
03 June 2024
From: Breaking News
![Huge corporate landlord targeted by protesting activists](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/shutterstock_1524802199%20protest(1).jpg)
Grainger, the Stock Market listed corporate landlord, has been targeted by protesters over rent levels. A protest outside Grainger’s London HQ marks...
20 May 2024
From: Breaking News
![Rents and Service Charges blamed for higher housing costs](/upload/images/shutterstock_2261764233(1).jpg)
Housing costs - rents and mortgages - are rising by about 3.6% a year according to a Barclays Bank assessment. This figure...
07 May 2024
From: Breaking News
![Extra spending on rent is less than inflation rate - bank data](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/3-MortgageRates1.png)
New data sourced from millions of Barclays current accounts reveals growing stability in UK housing costs, which saw their lowest uplift...
09 April 2024
From: Breaking News
![Activists trying to push Labour into imposing rent controls](/upload/images/shutterstock_2239146247.jpg)
Activists are beginning to pile pressure on London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, claiming the public will be disappointed if he toes...
08 April 2024
From: Breaking News
![Gift Vouchers for union members discussing with Generation Rent](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/LandlordNews-400x310.png)
Members of the union UNISON who participate in round-table discussions with activist group Generation Rents are to receive gift vouchers for...
26 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![UK housing is expensive, small and old - new report](/upload/images/shutterstock_1559871887(1).jpg)
Britain’s housing stock offers the worst value for money of any advanced economy, according new analysis published by the Resolution Foundation. The...
25 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Older Renters’ group takes up Generation Rent’s demands](/upload/images/shutterstock_2010700313.jpg)
A charity representing older people has taken up almost all of the key demands of activist group Generation Rent. Independent Age says...
22 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Council Tax Rebates for renters - think tank’s suggestion](/upload/images/shutterstock_2330022011.jpg)
A think tank is urging the UK government to consider tax perks for private renters to help them save faster for...
21 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![MPs want Local Housing Allowance and other benefits updated annually](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/3-MortgageRates1.png)
An all-party House of Commons committee is calling on Local Housing Allowance to be updated automatically and annually. LHA rates have been...
21 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Long term Renting risks ruining our retirement resilience](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/EvictionNotice-400x310.png)
Renting affects the resilience of all age groups. Only one fifth of Millennial/Gen Z households who rent are on track for a...
16 March 2024
From: Tax & Finance
![Budget Must Fix Housing Benefit, says NRLA](/upload/images/shutterstock_640959901(2).jpg)
Almost a million private rented households reliant on Universal Credit experience a shortfall between the benefit payments they receive and the...
05 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Millennials to become the wealthiest generation ever - claim](/upload/images/shutterstock_1753744661.jpg)
Millennials, long seen as a financially disadvantaged generation, are on the brink of becoming the wealthiest generation in history thanks to...
01 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Shelter links with High Street bank to campaign on housing](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/AgentHouseInHand_400x310.png)
HSBC bank is working with Shelter on housing campaigns. A statement from the charity says: “With support from partners including HSBC UK,...
25 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Why are some Labour politicians still arguing for Rent Controls?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/LandlordNews-400x310.png)
A Labour politician has returned to the subject of rent controls - even though the party has officially abandoned this as...
27 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Inflation Drop’s Big Question - will interest rates fall sooner, not later?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/MortgageRatesdecrease_400x310.png)
Consumer Price Inflation in November was 3.9 per cent - significantly lower than the 4.4 per cent expected by many analysts. It’s...
21 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![HMRC Self-Assessment Helpline slammed for not helping callers](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Tax-SelfAssessment-400x310.png)
A business consultancy claims the HMNRC Self-Assessment helpline - set up to assist those compiling and filing tax returns as the...
21 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Rental homes blighted by high cost and low quality - claim](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/HousePrices_balancing-400x310.png)
Many households are struggling with rising costs, while renters in particular continue to struggle with low quality housing, the Resolution Foundation...
19 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Sadiq Khan to buy 10,000 private homes to become social rent properties](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/House-pounds_400x310.png)
London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan wants 10,000 private homes in the capital to be brought into the social rental sector within...
20 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Shelter goes on warpath ahead of festive fundraising campaign](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/LandlordNews-400x310.png)
Shelter has issued new claims about homelessness triggered in part by private rents, as it prepares for its annual festive fundraising...
17 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![London Renters at risk of homelessness without government action - claim](/upload/images/shutterstock_629082041.jpg)
Almost 60,000 Londoners in the private rented sector are likely to become homeless over the next six years if the government...
10 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Santander slammed for last-minute anti Buy To Let mortgage change](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/2_MortgageCalculated.png)
Santander has been sharply criticised for increasing its Interest Coverage Ratio just as other lenders have been making it easier to...
29 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![London’s private rental sector slashed - new figures](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/_RentalHousingUK-400x310.png)
New research shows a 41 per cent reduction in the number of London properties available for private rent since the Covid-19...
05 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Renters face grim retirement according to pension survey](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/StressedTenant-400x310.png)
One in three Britons could be facing poverty in retirement according to Scottish Widows - with renters amongst the most vulnerable. The...
28 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Rent Cap goes on for another six months despite industry opposition](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/HousePrices_balancing-400x310.png)
The Scottish Government looks set to extend its rent cap for yet another six months - despite widespread opposition from the...
02 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Renters described as having “a pension problem”](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Over55Tenant-400x310.png)
Renters in both the private and social housing sectors have been described as having “a pension problem” by a financial analyst. Helen...
04 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![Government minister clueless about tenants who cannot afford rent](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/StressedTenant-2-400x310.png)
The government has made no estimate of the number of people unable to meet housing costs due to the freeze on...
18 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![What’s Cheaper? Buying or Renting?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/FinanceCalculator-400x310.png)
The monthly cost of owning a home for first-time buyers is now £971 - £42 or four per cent lower than...
18 March 2023
From: Tax & Finance
![IKEA teams up with Shelter to highlight homelessness issue](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Misc/Homeless-400x310.png)
Flat-pack furniture giant IKEA has teamed up with campaigning charity Shelter to highlight the issue of homelessness. The Scandinavian firm, citing Shelter’s...
09 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Tenants “at sharp end of cost of living crisis” - claim](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Stressed(F)Tenant-400x310.png)
A think tank says household costs are under more pressure from the cost of living crisis than in the pandemic, with...
30 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Victory - rent rises allowed after politicians’ U-turn](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/StressedTenant-400x310.png)
Ruling politicians in Scotland have agreed that from April private rents can rise by 3.0 per cent in a 12 month period...
20 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Charity claims 15% of private renters “face eviction this winter”](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Eviction-400x310%20(1).png)
A charity claims 15 per cent of private renters believe they face eviction this winter. Homelessness charity Crisis polled 2,000 people -...
13 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![The Deck’s Stacked Against Renters - Gove may be a lifeline](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/MichaelGove2-400x310.png)
Renters don’t have it easy. Housemates can be unpredictable, rules can be strict, but worst of all – it’s expensive. Most tenants...
19 November 2022
From: Rental Reform
![Rental Reform Now! Charity wants help for tenants](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/StressedTenant-2-400x310.png)
Crisis, the homelessness charity, is demanding financial and legislative help for tenants. Matt Downie, Crisis chief executive, says: “This is a time of...
14 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Shelter signs Christmas funding deal with Marks & Spencer](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Seasonal%20Photos/Christmas-1-400x310.png)
Campaigning charity Shelter is warning this winter could be one of the toughest yet - and it claims high rents are...
10 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Landlords accused of discrimination by charity and council](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews1-400x310.png)
Richmond council in London is joining forces with the charity Citizens Advice to help stop what it calls ‘discrimination’ against renters...
02 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Labour, Greens and Nationalists rubber-stamp rent freeze](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Flags%20%26%20Locations/EnglandMap-400x310.png)
A combination of Labour, the Green Party and the Scottish Nationalists have pushed through a rent freeze proposal. The Cost of Living...
07 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Rent Freeze politician slams landlords for “hard to justify” increases](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/SavingMoney_400x310.png)
The politician who is the architect of an emergency private sector rent freeze set to come into force this week has attacked...
05 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Shelter demands more cash for tenants facing rent rise “timebomb”](/upload/images/library/shelter-logo400x310.png)
Shelter claims that almost 1.1m private renters in England – one in seven – had their rent increased in the last...
23 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Buy-to-lets failing to beat inflation](/upload/images/library/House-Percentage-MortgageRates-400x310.jpg)
As inflation passes the 10% mark, it’s no surprise that many landlords are hurriedly reviewing the health of their buy to...
17 September 2022
From: The Big Issues
![Evictions - Activist Baroness demands rent freeze, says worse to come](/upload/images/library/eviction-image400x310.png)
New government figures show 3,405 households in the private rented sector were evicted by bailiffs in England between April and June this year...
15 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Tenants cutting back on food to pay the rent claims analyst](/upload/images/library/money%20in%20a%20jar.jpg)
A prominent personal finance analyst says renters in the private sector are amongst the most badly hit by the cost of...
10 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Why Are Landlords Reluctant To Let To Benefit Claimants?](/upload/images/library/HappyLandlord-400x310.jpg)
The House of Commons Library provides books, journals and online resources for MPs, MPs' staff and parliamentary staff. Some of this is...
23 July 2022
From: Legislation & Compliance
![Dramatic rise in adults returning to live with parents](/upload/images/library/FamilyMovingHome-400x310.jpg)
The number of adults living at home with parents has increased 20 per cent in the past 10 years, it’s been...
13 June 2022
From: Breaking News
![Landlords ”in a position of real power” if they don't quit - claim](/upload/images/library/TenantsAndLandlord-400x310.png)
A business analyst at a prominent consultancy says landlords who resist the temptation to quit the sector are “in a position...
10 June 2022
From: Breaking News
![Ban evictions and clear tenant arrears with public cash - latest demands](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/EvictionNotice-400x310-min.jpeg)
Activists in the Generation Rent group have made seven demands on government including a rent freeze, the clearing of tenants’ arrears,...
29 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Two top Tories blast the quality of private rental sector](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/Conservative-logo400x310.png)
Two of the country’s leading Conservative MPs have spoken at a Shelter conference which claimed millions of private renters were being...
21 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Revealed - where tenants on Universal Credit have the biggest shortfall](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/Sad-Tenants-Evicted-400x310.jpg)
Almost 70 per cent of private tenants in the North East relying on Universal Credit to pay their rent have a...
12 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Shocking data on tenants who rely on Universal Credit to pay rent](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/PayingBills-400x310.jpg)
More than 50 per cent of private tenants who rely on Universal Credit to pay their rent have a shortfall between...
31 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Prominent Labour MP wants rent controls to aid economic recovery](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/New%20Rental%20Index-400x310.png)
The former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer says rent controls are a vital part of a four-pronged ‘Radical Recovery Programme’. John McDonnell has...
22 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![I want to make buy to let less financially attractive, admits politician](/upload/images/BTR%2C%20PBSA%2C%20Co-living/BTR-400x310.jpg)
A prominent Welsh politician says rent controls should be introduced across that country to “make landlordism less financially attractive.” The Welsh nationalist...
17 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Shelter says high rents impact women with threat of homelessness](/upload/images/Logos/shelter-logo400x310.png)
Shelter claims that women are impacted by homelessness more than men, and says rising private rents are a contributory factor. In a...
30 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Massive rent rise for social housing tenants expected in the spring](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/UK-Cash-NEW-400x310.jpg)
Private landlords get it in the neck for allegedly-high rents but 4.75m families living in social housing in England are facing...
22 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Sleaze: MPs rent out their own homes and then claim expenses](/upload/images/library/HandingOverKeys-1-400x310.jpg)
The sleaze allegations engulfing the government have moved to those MPs letting out their London homes while claiming money from taxpayers...
15 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Covid Arrears - More should still be done to clear them](/upload/images/library/UpsetCouple-400x310.png)
This week’s Budget saw the Chancellor loosen the Treasury’s purse strings in a number of areas. Yet this was a quiet Autumn...
30 October 2021
From: The Big Issues
![Not enough! Landlords say Budget does too little to clear arrears](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/RishiSunak-400x310.jpg)
The Budget revealed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak does too little to help many of those struggling most to pay their rents. That’s...
28 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Shift poorest tenants from private rental to social housing - call](/upload/images/library/HappyMillennialTeam-400x310.jpg)
A call has gone out to shift tens of thousands of the poorest tenants in the private rental sector into social...
19 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Rent Controls: Agents urge ‘gentle caution’ after political pledges](/upload/images/library/ARLA-PropertyMark-400x310.jpg)
The letting agents’ trade body ARLA Propertymark has made a very cautious approach to the Scottish Government over its strident pledge...
02 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Rents are falling in real terms - and that’s official](/img/default/llt.png)
Private sector rents are falling in real terms according to government figures. Data from the Office for National Statistics show that private...
15 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Breathing Spaces “not a fix to keep creditors at bay” admits charity](/img/default/llt.png)
The controversial Breathing Space policy comes into effect from next Tuesday, May 4, and a charity is admitting it is not...
28 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Landlords slam Sadiq Khan’s rent control power grab](/img/default/llt.png)
The main landlords’ trade body has hit out at a bid by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to secure powers to impose private...
09 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Three year tenancies and much more licensing proposed by council](/img/default/llt.png)
A council enquiry is proposing a flurry of new landlord licensing schemes in one county in England. An inquiry into the private...
22 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Government says no to petition calling for 14-days eviction powers](/img/default/llt.png)
The government has rejected a call for landlords to have powers to evict tenants who fall 14 days into arrears. Property investor...
23 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Activists demand furlough-type hand outs to pay tenants’ arrears](/img/default/llt.png)
Generation Rent is calling for a furlough-type scheme aimed at helping tenants. The group says that following news of the four week...
02 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Drop rents, Don’t evict! Think-tank says tenants need more protection](/img/default/llt.png)
A think tank is calling for landlords to consider rent reductions and is also suggesting the return of an eviction ban...
02 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Sunak given landlords’ wish-list as he reveals spending review date](/img/default/llt.png)
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce government spending plans for the next 12 months on November 25 - and he already has...
29 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Green Party wants landlords banned from evicting when they sell](/img/default/llt.png)
The Green Party says there should be an end to private rental sector eviction grounds “such as the wish of the...
28 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Sunak’s ‘local furlough’ scheme not enough to help renters - claim](/img/default/llt.png)
The latest financial measures introduced over the weekend by Chancellor Rishi Sunak are not likely to help rental sector problems in...
12 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Note to government - give landlords and tenants financial support](/img/default/llt.png)
The National Residential Landlords Association is calling on the government to ensure a comprehensive financial package is provided for landlords themselves,...
09 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Coronavirus: Scottish government updates guidance for private landlords](/img/default/llt.png)
The Scottish government has published updated guidance for private landlords and letting agents to help cope with the existing Covid-19 pandemic. The...
04 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![New interest-free, tenant hardship loan scheme launched in Scotland](/img/default/llt.png)
A new Tenant Hardship Loan Fund to help renters cope with housing costs during the Covid-19 pandemic has been launched north...
02 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Government urged to boost the safety net available to young renters](/img/default/llt.png)
Industry leaders are calling on the government to provide urgent support for young people living in private rented housing. As the chancellor...
07 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![Thousands of tenants face losing home when eviction ban ends - claim](/img/default/llt.png)
Thousands of tenants who have struggled to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic face the prospect of losing their home when...
01 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![Fresh data exposes ‘the threat that coronavirus poses to the rental market’](/img/default/llt.png)
New research shows that renters are more vulnerable to economic shocks compared to homeowners. Renters typically spend a higher proportion of their...
15 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![One in eight tenants struggling with payments](/img/default/llt.png)
A survey of tenants suggests around one in eight private sector tenants have fallen behind with housing costs since the coronavirus...
01 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Unions demand that all rent payments are suspended immediately](/img/default/llt.png)
Some of the UK’s largest tenants unions have joined forces to heap pressure on the government to suspend all rent immediately,...
13 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![New chancellor urged to use Budget to ‘encourage’ investment in the PRS](/img/default/llt.png)
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) and the National Landlords Association (NLA) are calling on the new chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to use...
18 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![A high number of private renters are ‘suffering from housing worries’](/img/default/llt.png)
Renters have higher levels of harmful stress levels than homeowners, according to new research. A survey of almost 4,000 renters by Shelter...
15 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Rising rents ‘make young people less mobile’](/img/default/llt.png)
High rents mean young people are less likely to move to UK cities where average salaries are higher, a new report...
07 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Three in four Scots back rent caps](/img/default/llt.png)
A new survey has revealed three in four Scots back rent caps north of the border to help curb increasing housing...
12 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![People who live alone are more likely to be renting](/img/default/llt.png)
The cost of living alone has hit 92% of income, making it far harder for single people to get a foot...
05 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Gap between buying and renting hits nine-year low](/img/default/llt.png)
The gap between the cost of buying and renting is down 59%, its lowest level in nine years, according to the...
05 March 2019
From: Breaking News
![Landlords accused of ‘exploiting’ student renters](/img/default/llt.png)
Landlords are taking advantage of first-time student renters by failing to carry out repairs, according to a new poll. A fresh report...
19 February 2019
From: Breaking News
![Buy-to-let remains an attractive asset class with the best yields up north](/img/default/llt.png)
Buy-to-let returns continue to outperform many major asset classes with property investors in northern areas benefitting from higher yields, owed in...
19 June 2018
From: Breaking News
![London housing shortage a ‘ticking time bomb’ for businesses](/img/default/llt.png)
The growing housing crisis in London is forcing employees to quit their jobs and making it harder for firms to recruit...
27 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Fewer private landlords will lead to rent hikes and higher rates of homelessness](/img/default/llt.png)
Hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing acute forms of homelessness across Britain, with rough sleeping set to increase sharply over...
23 February 2018
From: Breaking News
![London’s housing crisis putting greater pressure on the PRS](/img/default/llt.png)
The housing crisis is the greatest challenge London faces. Years of not building enough new homes, including affordable housing, mean many...
29 January 2018
From: Breaking News
![UK government urged to follow Scotland’s lead to reduce rent arrears](/img/default/llt.png)
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has hailed the Scottish government for offering people receiving Universal Credit north of the border more...
06 October 2017
From: Breaking News
![More tenants face eviction and rent arrears due to universal credit](/img/default/llt.png)
Delays in universal credit benefit payments for housing costs are leaving claimants unable to pay rent and pushing some deep into...
18 September 2017
From: Breaking News
![Generation Rent ‘don't want the burden’ of homeownership](/img/default/llt.png)
The percentage of people in the UK who own their own home is currently falling, and not just because housing is...
19 April 2017
From: Breaking News
![Where can landlords achieve the best rental yields?](/img/default/llt.png)
Buy-to-let returns continued to outperform many major asset classes in the second half of last year, with landlords earning an average...
04 April 2017
From: Breaking News
![Londoners now spending more than two-thirds of income on rent](/img/default/llt.png)
Londoners are now spending a whopping 70% of average income on rent and essential bills as sky-high prices put even more...
09 June 2016
From: Breaking News
![First-time buyers need to earn £50,000 to get on the property ladder](/img/default/llt.png)
New research by Gocompare.com claims that first-time buyers need on average a minimum household income of £50,000 to purchase a house...