According to new research compiled by the University of Leeds and property agents operating in the Leeds city centre market – Knight Frank, Morgans City Living, King Sturge, Savills and Allsop – the Leeds market is starting to see a revival.

Landlords are assuming the role of surrogate mothers as new research shows tenants are making their renting decision based on the ability to offer a friendly shoulder to cry on, rather than price.

The current boost in recruitment in the banking sector is pushing up rental demand in and around the City, highlighting the shortage of rental property. However, this will not lead to a steep rise in rents in the capital, according to property consultants Cluttons.

Commenting on the launch of HSBC’s 1.99 per cent discount mortgage deal and Santander’s mortgage rate cuts, Hannah-Mercedes Skenfield, mortgages channel manager at moneysupermarket.com

In order to maintain their balance sheets, providers can either offer competitive mortgage or saving deals, not both, Moneyfacts.co.uk reports.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has produced a Budget submission urging the government to commit to the ongoing funding of measures to help borrowers in financial difficulty.

The balance between supply and demand shifted toward the supply side as the new instructions net balance outpaced buyer interest for the second consecutive month, says RICS latest UK Housing Market survey.