Law Society: Firms slow to adopt disruptive technology (LF)
Law firms are under increasing pressure to adopt lawtech, with the rewards for doing so “potentially huge”, but despite this the profession has been slow to embrace systems that would […]
RICS steps up with new regime to defeat money laundering (PIE)
The RICS is stepping up its stance on anti-money laundering with a new statement promising specific world-wide regulation.
80 and still paying a mortgage? No problem, say lenders (EAT)
Mortgage lenders are relaxing age limits so that house buyers can still be paying off their home loan well into their 80s.
Government unveils plans for 1% Stamp Duty surcharge on overseas property buyers (PIE)
The Government has finally announced how an extra Stamp Duty surcharge on foreign investors would work.
Storm warning for solicitors’ indemnity insurance (LF)
The competitive wind has changed in the solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance (market, while regulatory changes and the ground-rent scandal could spell trouble for lawyers.
Competition watchdog asked to investigate probate fee reform (LSG)
A financial advisory group has asked the Competition and Markets Authority if it can investigate the planned reform of probate fees as the controversial proposal nears final approval in parliament.
Ordnance Survey and Land Registry unveil new £10,000 grants for proptech firms (PIE)
Geotech and proptech firms are being invited to apply to become part of the latest Ordnance Survey (OS) and Land Registry accelerator programme to develop their products.
Agent avoids fall-throughs by making sellers and buyers shake hands on deals (EAT)
A London estate agent says his system of ‘moral agreements’ between sellers and buyers prevents chains collapsing and means his company has “the lowest fall-out rate from agreement to consolidation.”
UK house builders show caution as Brexit approaches – NHBC
British construction firms are making a cautious start to 2019 after slowing their house-building plans late last year in the face of Brexit uncertainty, an industry body said recently.
Probate ‘stealth tax’ scrapes through committee (LSG)
Plans to hike probate fees to as much as £6,000 have narrowly been approved following a committee hearing recently.
Agency reform chief to speak at The Property Ombudsman conference (EAT)
The Property Ombudsman’s annual conference is to hear from the chair of the government’s ‘Property Agents Working Group’ – just days before it is expected to reveal some of the […]
The Great Leasehold Betrayal
Minister refuses to crack down on toxic contracts and blames buyers for being too ‘excited’ to read small print properly – as families reveal they are trapped in ‘nightmare’ houses […]