In brief

Having launched two months ago, LandlordTrader.co.uk now hosts a property portfolio worth around £38 million, with investors advertising more than 190 properties online.

Trading properties across the UK, the portal is designed to make the process of buying and selling straightforward for time-poor investors.

Universities’ pension scheme to recommend PFS advisers

The 200,000-strong Universities Superannuation Scheme, which serves past and present staff from 360 UK universities, is to recommend advisers from the newly formed Personal Finance Society (PFS) to members who seek individual advice.

The advisers will have a minimum qualification level of APFS, designating six or more AFPC qualifications, and will operate a totally transparent system of remuneration.

Consumer Panel calls for consumer GI protection

The Consumer Panel has called on the FSA Board to ensure that all consumers are protected under the new regulation of general insurance coming into force on 14 January 2005.

The indications are that there will be many firms who might only have interim authorisation at the start date. But to the consumer, interim-authorised firms would look as if they are authorised.

e.surv predict soft landing

Chartered surveyors e.surv have endorsed the stance taken by the CML conference that a soft landing is likely in the housing market.

It explained that at present, while overall activity is down, this was a consequence of a combination of three factors – seasonality, previous interest rate rises, and most importantly, regulation.

eMoneyfacts launches BTL search facility

eMoneyfacts has extended its range of product searches with a full whole-of-market buy-to-let search.

The new buy-to-let search facility includes all the eMoneyfacts filtering and sorting features, and continuously updated product data. Advisers can provide buy-to-let clients with mortgage illustrations for non-regulated lending.

Cartel in top 100 fastest growing companies

Manchester-based mortgage intermediary firm Cartel Marketing Ltd has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 fastest growing private companies by The Sunday Times/Virgin Atlantic Fasttrack 100 companies research.

It has recruited 250 staff at its Manchester head office at Exchange Quay and has expanded overseas through the opening of call centre operations in India and Egypt