Warnings from the Bank of England that interest rates would rise six fold by 2017 means higher mortgage costs for almost three million households.

Almost half a million households in the UK struggle with negative equity with the greatest number in the regions rather than London.

Mortgage lender Halifax reports a 2.4% rise in house prices for February with pressure on the government to cancel Help to Buy scheme.

According to the Nationwide average house prices have increased by 9.4% in the last year and are not slowing down.

A new government study of the English Housing Survey shows private renting has reached 4 million homes and now exceeds council renting.

The British Bankers’ Association (BBA) has said mortgage approvals are up 57% on the previous year and the highest since September 2007.

The rate of house building has boosted UK construction but will still be short of the 240,000 homes needed each year.

House prices rise 8.8% according to the Nationwide as first time buyers are back in the market for properties.

There is growing concern that increased financial stability in the UK will lead to mortgage rate rises.

Mark Carney, the Governor the Bank of England played down a possible housing bubble.

The mortgage industry expects to see further demand for mortgages among consumers in 2014 and that demand remains healthy rather than excessive.

The Bank of England has warned homeowners could be hit hard as interest rates increase mortgage repayments.