Osborne stamp duty move does little to fix London’s housing problems

It might help some first time buyers for a while, but the chancellor’s autumn statement doesn’t start to address the capital’s biggest housing issues

Stamp duty reform: George Osborne pulled a big rabbit out of a small hat

Chancellor masks state of public finances in autumn statement 2014 with homebuyer tax change that will hog headlines

Flatmating – speed dating with a key thrown in as people hunt for rooms

Pressure of ‘crazy’ rental market gives rise to lettings events, with hosts saying 10 renters chase each London room

One-third of mortgage borrowers would struggle if interest rates rise

An increase of two percentage points would create problems for 32% of borrowers in the UK; in the south-east of England the figure is 39%

Lloyds job cuts show the technology axe still swings for white collar workers

As the bank seeks to shrink by another 9,000 jobs, the case is clearer than ever for action to improve the UK’s skills levels

Could you live in a tiny house?

Lucy Mangan: With a one-storey two-room house on the market in London for £275,000, small is becoming a necessity for many looking to get on the property ladder

South-east house price growth outstrips London’s as buyers forced out of capital

Average asking price in south-east passes £355,000 – 10% higher than a year ago, says Rightmove

Earls Court: uneven progress

The future of much of London’s most controversial redevelopment scheme is uncertain but the greediest element has been given more green lights

British homebuyers at back of queue for local flats marketed in Hong Kong

Despite a pledge to give first-time buyers an equal chance to secure a property, one of the biggest developers, Galliard, is giving a headstart to those from overseas

Bank of England asks for powers to intervene in housing market

Central bank wants restrictions on loan-to-value and loan-to-income multiples to protect financial system from housing bubble

What is the mansion tax, and can the rich wriggle out of it? – Q&A

Labour’s pre-election pledge to tax owners of £2m-plus homes has caused jitters. What will the scheme mean for you?

London housing crisis: ‘reverse brain drain’ ahead?

YouGov has found that large numbers of Londoners would consider living and working elsewhere due to high and rising housing costs

Hotel wars: the battle for Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley

Paddy McKillen owns three of London's best-known hotels, and is fighting a bitter battle to keep them: the billionaire Barclay brothers are hot on his heels. The developer (and art collector) tells Jon Henley why the fight goes on