hief reason why the property market will cool this year.

Warren Bright, chief executive of the property sales website, said: "Recent government data indicated annual house price inflation was falling just short of ten per cent in December, but this is looking at the market in the rear view mirror.

"Our research indicates that whilst the rate hikes in the second half of 2006 had a slight dampening effect on

Mortgage lenders will be the target of the next consumer campaign over the issue of unfair charges, according to the Independent.

The prediction comes as lenders have until the end of the month to reduce mortgage exit fees or be in a position to justify why fees should be fairly raised mid-term.

However, the Financial Services Authority's crackdown on exorbitant exit fees could open the floodgates to homeowners wanting refunds worth 190 million, the newspaper said.

Martin Lewis, the founder of Moneysavingexpert.com, said his website has received more than 100,000 inquiries on how to download exit fee refund template letters.

"Lenders have been trying everything they can to lower the headline interest rate they offer [and] one of the hidden tricks has been to raise exit fees," he told the newspaper.

"But, while there is nothing you can do about the high fees to buy into a mortgage deal, there is now something you can do about what you pay when you end it."

However, the ifs School of Finance has welcomed moves by banks and building societies to work with the regulator on mortgage exit fees, which demonstrates "a general willingness to ensure their customers are treated fairly".

A survey released by Propertyfinder has suggested that interest rates have finally had an impact on the confidence of the housing market.

According to the research, the number of people who believe house prices will continue to rise dropped three percentage points to 78 per cent between January and February and six percentage points since December.

Most respondents believe that interest rates are the chief reason why the property market will cool this year.

Warren Bright, chief executive of the property sales website, said: "Recent government data indicated annual house price inflation was falling just short of ten per cent in December, but this is looking at the market in the rear view mirror.

"Our research indicates that whilst the rate hikes in the second half of 2006 had a slight dampening effect on t

odgates to homeowners wanting refunds worth 190 million, the newspaper said.

Martin Lewis, the founder of Moneysavingexpert.com, said his website has received more than 100,000 inquiries on how to download exit fee refund template letters.

"Lenders have been trying everything they can to lower the headline interest rate they offer [and] one of the hidden tricks has been to raise exit fees," he told the newspaper.

"But, while there is nothing you can do about the high fees to buy into a mortgage deal, there is now something you can do about what you pay when you end it."

However, the ifs School of Finance has welcomed moves by banks and building societies to work with the regulator on mortgage exit fees, which demonstrates "a general willingness to ensure their customers are treated fairly".

A survey released by Propertyfinder has suggested that interest rates have finally had an impact on the confidence of the housing market.

According to the research, the number of people who believe house prices will continue to rise dropped three percentage points to 78 per cent between January and February and six percentage points since December.

Most respondents believe that interest rates are the chief reason why the property market will cool this year.

Warren Bright, chief executive of the property sales website, said: "Recent government data indicated annual house price inflation was falling just short of ten per cent in December, but this is looking at the market in the rear view mirror.

"Our research indicates that whilst the rate hikes in the second half of 2006 had a slight dampening effect on

paper.

"But, while there is nothing you can do about the high fees to buy into a mortgage deal, there is now something you can do about what you pay when you end it."

However, the ifs School of Finance has welcomed moves by banks and building societies to work with the regulator on mortgage exit fees, which demonstrates "a general willingness to ensure their customers are treated fairly".

A survey released by Propertyfinder has suggested that interest rates have finally had an impact on the confidence of the housing market.

According to the research, the number of people who believe house prices will continue to rise dropped three percentage points to 78 per cent between January and February and six percentage points since December.

Most respondents believe that interest rates are the chief reason why the property market will cool this year.

Warren Bright, chief executive of the property sales website, said: "Recent government data indicated annual house price inflation was falling just short of ten per cent in December, but this is looking at the market in the rear view mirror.

"Our research indicates that whilst the rate hikes in the second half of 2006 had a slight dampening effect on

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A survey released by Propertyfinder has suggested that interest rates have finally had an impact on the confidence of the housing market.

According to the research, the number of people who believe house prices will continue to rise dropped three percentage points to 78 per cent between January and February and six percentage points since December.

Most respondents believe that interest rates are the chief reason why the property market will cool this year.

Warren Bright, chief executive of the property sales website, said: "Recent government data indicated annual house price inflation was falling just short of ten per cent in December, but this is looking at the market in the rear view mirror.

"Our research indicates that whilst the rate hikes in the second half of 2006 had a slight dampening effect on

hief reason why the property market will cool this year.

Warren Bright, chief executive of the property sales website, said: "Recent government data indicated annual house price inflation was falling just short of ten per cent in December, but this is looking at the market in the rear view mirror.

"Our research indicates that whilst the rate hikes in the second half of 2006 had a slight dampening effect on the market, the shock January rise has made a much bigger impact."

Despite the suggestion of a knock in confidence, figures from the British Bankers' Association shows that net mortgage lending in January only took a small hit, with the figure dropping from 5.7 billion to 5.6 billion.