Homes warning

Far from being a sign of recovery and a cause for celebration, house price rises (your report, 16 February) should act as a warning.

While many homeowners may welcome an apparent boost to their property value, they may find it increasingly difficult to realise any benefit.

Taken alongside stagnating wages, increasing unemployment and a collapse in house-building, house price rises are an indication of housing scarcity, not recovery.

Low interest rates and lender forbearance are temporary measures. Without proper leadership Scotland and Britain will sleepwalk into a second wave of repossessions and evictions and sow the seeds of the next boom and bust cycle.

GRAEME BROWN

Director, Shelter Scotland

South Charlotte Street

Edinburgh