Like any investment, buy-to-let comes with no guarantees, but for those who have more faith in bricks and mortar than stocks and shares here are This is Money's top ten tips:

1. Research the market If you are new to buy-to-let, what do you know about the market? Do you know the risks, as well as the benefits. Catch up with the latest news in our buy-to-let channel.

Make sure buy-to-let is the investment you want. Your money might be able to perform better elsewhere. In recent years a high-rate savings account would beat most investments. Now rates are lower, but investing in buy-to-let

The average weekly rent in England Wales rose by 1.2% to £713 last month, surpassing the previous record high of £705, according to research.

The Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services revealed the largest monthly increase since August 2010 as potential house buyers struggle in the face of high deposit demands and are forced to rent.

With annual rent inflation at 4%, the average rent is £27pcm higher than August 2010. The average rental yield for landlords hit 5.2% in August.

Rents increased fastest in Wales and the South East, up 2.1% in the month. The only regions which saw a

The UK's leading event for property investors and landlords - The Property Investor Show & OPP Live - returns to ExCeL London for a 10th successive year ( 13-15 October 2011).

The Property Investor Show & OPP Live is the “MUST ATTEND” event for agents, developers, fund managers, wealth managers, service providers and investors … indeed, for anyone serious about making money from UK and International property investment.

It is the ideal place for networking, obtaining reliable and up to date property market information and, of course, investment property to buy. Equally it is designed to

SELL YOUR HOUSE AT AUCTION!

If you're wanting a quick and stress free house sale, then auction might be the right route for you. Get the ball rolling today by requesting a free, no obligation property valuation from one of our auctioneers.

Complete this short form http://www.ukauctionlist.com/selling/property-valuation-free-real-estate-appraisal or give us a ring on 0845 0536906, and we will arrange a free valuation of your property to see whether it is suitable for auction.

Benefits of selling at auction

• Exchange of contracts on the day of the auction sale
• 10% deposit paid

Housing deposits in the UK have risen considerably over the last two decades, new research by First Direct has revealed.

The study showed such payments have increased tenfold since 1990, with a combination of house price escalation and reductions in mortgage lending to blame for the trend.

According to the investigation, the average housing deposit has increased from £6,793 to £65,924 over the last 20 years and Bruno Genovese, senior savings product manager at First Direct - a division of HSBC Bank - said such movement is why first-time buyers are getting older.

The industry figure

The battle over controversial new planning laws that campaigners say could allow developers a free run at building in the countryside has heated up, as George Osborne claims reforms are vital for the economy.

It has been reported that the Chancellor has said ministers will not bow to pressure to change the new planning guidelines that would make it much easier for developers to build on green land.

In a joint article for the Financial Times with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, Mr Osborne insists: ‘When planning acts as an arbitrary brake on growth, on the new jobs and new businesses

EDF Energy is to raise gas prices by 15.4% and electricity prices by 4.5% from 10 November, the company has announced.

It is the last of the "big six" energy companies to announce increases in prices for domestic customers.

It said it had absorbed wholesale price rises for as long as possible before being forced to raise costs for customers.

Regulator Ofgem is studying whether higher prices are justified.

"We have absorbed rising wholesale energy, network and other costs as long as possible but must reluctantly now pass some of these through to consumers," said Vincent de Rivaz

A new mortgage verification scheme to combat fraud was launched nationwide in the UK on 1st September following a successful pilot, according to a latest report from Property Investor News.

HM Revenue & Customs, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Building Societies Association have worked together on the development of the Mortgage Verification Scheme and see it as an important additional tool to help beat fraud.

The National Fraud Authority estimates the cost of mortgage fraud was £1bn last year, so measures to tackle it are important.

The scheme was announced in the March 2010

The National Home Improvement Show is the UK's leading event for home improvers bringing together high quality suppliers, designers and experts in one place, making it the perfect opportunity for anyone planning a project to find out all they need to know. It's your chance to progress your ideas, find inspiration, and create your perfect home.

No other event delivers such an in-depth programme of seminars, masterclasses and expert advice in one place, at one time. Topics covered include planning permission, adding value on a budget, loft and basement conversion, kitchen design, and making

House prices showed a marginal increase on a quarterly basis last month, new Halifax figures have shown, while falls in mortgage rates have improved accessibility to the housing market.

Data from the lender revealed values were one per cent higher in August than in the previous three months, with the average cost of a home now standing at £161,743.

However, prices were down 1.2 per cent on a monthly basis, following three consecutive months of rises.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, noted the quarterly figure is "more reliable" as it "smoothes out some of the monthly