No point in conveyancers trying to “export” Dreamvar fraud risk (LF)
Conveyancers acting for buyers should “think” rather than “automatically try to export the risk of identity fraud onto the seller’s conveyancer”, a specialist barrister has warned.
High street law firms brought low? (LSG)
Further deregulation of the market opens the door to a race to bottom on client protection, claims the Law Society. And there is no evidence it will boost access to […]
Fraudster who said he had estate agency experience sent to jail after scamming 11 victims (PIE)
A fraudster who said he was an experienced estate agent and ran a property scam which robbed 11 victims has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
Another government clampdown: will it hit second home sales? (EAT)
A business rates tax break which benefits holiday home owners is to be reviewed by ministers, who have now launched a formal consultation – and if it deters future holiday […]
Government backs property logbooks to speed conveyancing (LSG)
The government is likely to push sellers to provide more up front information about their property before it goes on the market to make the homebuying process quicker, cheaper and […]
Emoov troubles ‘do not mean the end for hybrid agents’ (EAT)
The high profile financial difficulties faced by Emoov and the recent fall in the share value of Purplebricks do not mean the concept of the hybrid estate agent is dead.
Government rejects claims that Help to Buy is stifling the second-hand market (PIE)
The average income of Help to Buy users is almost double that of the overall UK average, raising questions of who is benefiting from the Government’s flagship housing scheme.
LSB told to share responsibility after SRA Handbook decision (LF)
The Legal Services Board has been told by its own consumer panel that it has to share the responsibility for ensuring that consumers do not suffer at the hands of […]
SRA insists avoiding conveyancing conflict ‘fundamental’ as firm fined £2k (LSG)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reminded firms handling conveyancing transactions that every effort must be made to avoid any hint of conflict.
Chancery Lane brands green light for freelance solicitors ‘a serious error’ (LSG)
Solicitors will be free to work for unregulated businesses after decision-makers approved plans for a radical overhaul of practising rights.
New lock-in service launches to tie sellers and buyers into deal (PIE)
A new service has launched aiming to tie sellers and buyers into the deal once a sale has been agreed.
Price transparency & digital badge confirmed
New transparency rules, requiring regulated firms to publish price and service information on their websites, are to come into effect on 6 December 2018.