Grand Designs presenter faces crisis over bond investment

Bond-holders left carrying losses after attempts to restructure Kevin McCloud investment

A fresh crisis looms for the Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud after attempts to restructure property bond investments in his housing empire failed.

Hundreds of investors – who were told last month they could face losing up to 97% of their money – were in effect warned that if they did not back the restructuring, one of the firms in McCloud’s empire was at risk of being wound up or falling into insolvency.

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Push review – a whirlwind tour of rocketing rents and personal tragedy

This powerful documentary, about a UN investigator travelling the planet to get to the bottom of the global housing crisis, lays bare a $217 trillion scandal

‘I don’t believe that capitalism itself is hugely problematic,” says Leilani Farha, as she marches along a pavement in Harlem, New York. The UN’s special rapporteur on adequate housing is on her way to visit a sprawling low-income housing project that was recently acquired by a private equity fund, leading to massive rent hikes and probable evictions. “Is unbridled capitalism in an area that is a human right problematic? Yes.”

The conflict between rights and profits lies at the heart of a thought-provoking documentary, Push, which follows Farha’s forays into the bleak depths of the global housing crisis, as she attempts to unpick exactly how we got here. In the Harlem estate she meets a man who already spends 90% of his income on his rent. Soon, his two-bedroom flat will cost $3,600 (£,2920) a month, and he will be forced to move.

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Four top tips for designing your home Nottingham Estate Agents

Dulux’s Creative Director, Marianne Shillingford, shares her four top tips on what to think about when it comes to creating your ideal space. 1. The legwork Order testers of your favourite colours and try them out on the walls. Buying good quality brushes and roller sleeves will help make the job easier and they are also […]

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A ruthless approach to decluttering completely transformed my life

Since watching an episode of Marie Kondo’s TV show, I have overhauled our family home – and reaped mental, financial and professional rewards

When I moved in with my husband, we found ourselves with two of everything. We sold furniture and donated kitchen utensils to charity. But, having lived alone, parting with more sentimental items was difficult. And, as I later discovered, my husband is a bit of a hoarder. He couldn’t ditch his MDF TV cabinet; I was too attached to my impractical 50s Danish tub sofa.

Things got worse after we had children. With the arrival of countless toys, books and kids’ clothes, it got out of hand.

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A ruthless approach to decluttering completely transformed my life

Since watching an episode of Marie Kondo’s TV show, I have overhauled our family home – and reaped mental, financial and professional rewards

When I moved in with my husband, we found ourselves with two of everything. We sold furniture and donated kitchen utensils to charity. But, having lived alone, parting with more sentimental items was difficult. And, as I later discovered, my husband is a bit of a hoarder. He couldn’t ditch his MDF TV cabinet; I was too attached to my impractical 50s Danish tub sofa.

Things got worse after we had children. With the arrival of countless toys, books and kids’ clothes, it got out of hand.

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I'm in a five-year mortgage deal – what if I decide to move?

I’m unsure what the process would be with remortgaging if we’re in a fixed-rate term

Q I am hoping you can offer some advice regarding my situation. I am currently four years into a five-year fixed-rate mortgage with an interest rate of 3.5% and an early repayment charge of £6,000. We currently owe £115,000 and our house is worth around £210,000 to £220,000.

I am keen to remortgage next year but at the same time, or shortly after, I am hoping to sell this house and buy another one. I think our budget could be up to £280,000 for the next house.

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Rental hot spots that won’t break the bank Nottingham Estate Agents

Is home ownership going out of fashion? As house prices continue to rise, we find the cheapest neighbourhoods to rent your next home. When you’re renting, location is everything. Just as when you’re buying, there are parts of the country where you can get a lot more property for your money. And the four regions […]

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