POUND NOTES

PROPORTION OF ‘ACCIDENTAL’ LANDLORDS NOW DROPPING

THE proportion of “accidental” landlords has fallen annually for the first time in five years, according to analysis.

One in 14 (7.1%) homes coming on to the rental market across Britain this year so far had been listed for sale within the previous six months, the lowest level since 2015, according to estimates from Hamptons International.

This is the first fall in the proportion of homes let by accidental landlords since 2014, and down from 8.6% in 2018.

Hamptons said a slowing sales market has triggered some home owners to let their property instead of selling – meaning they become “accidental” landlords.

IT’S A GIVEN THAT BRITISH PUBLIC IS BIG ON DONATIONS TO CHARITY

THE UK has been ranked in seventh place in a global study into people’s generosity towards charities and other good causes.

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) study asked people if they had helped a stranger, given money or volunteered for a good cause in the month before being interviewed. The research, which took place over a decade, surveyed 1.3 million people in 128 countries in total.

NEW LUXURY CREDIT CARD FOR THE RICH IS GOING FOR GOLD

THE Royal Mint has produced its first payment card – which is made from solid gold.

The 18-carat hallmarked debit cards, part of an account called Raris, will be personalised for account holders

“who value high-quality luxury items that make a statement”.

People will need to pay £18,750 for a card. They have been developed by the Mint in conjunction with Mastercard and payments technology firm Accomplish Financial.

More mortgages were handed out to first-time buyers in August than in any other month since 2007, according to trade association UK Finance. Some 35,010 new first-time buyer mortgages were completed in August, 0.7% higher than a year earlier.

FINANCIAL FACT: