Electronic signatures are valid say Government’s legal experts (IC)
Electronic signatures can be used to sign formal legal contracts under English law, the Law Commission has confirmed from the Government.
Accountancy body reiterates call for Stamp Duty liability switch to sellers (IC)
A professional body for accountants has reiterated its call for Stamp Duty Land Tax to become the responsibility of property sellers following comments from former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that […]
Don’t panic: drama but no crisis in legal PII market (LSG)
The abrupt departure of top-200 insurer Libra, following hard on the heels of Aspen’s withdrawal, supports anecdotal evidence that the market is beginning to harden.
Speed up ban on abusive leasehold rules, law firm urges government (EAT)
A specialist property law firm is calling on the government to speed up changes in the law to avoid abusive leasehold practices.
Surveyors want to an end to the HomeBuyers Survey lottery (IC)
The Residential Property Surveyors Association aims to end the lottery for home buyers put off commissioning surveys by inconsistent quality and content.
Law Commission gives green light to electronic signatures (LSG)
No change in the law is necessary for electronic signatures to meet a statutory requirement for a signature on a document, the Law Commission has concluded.
The NatWest Bank launches the UK’s first paperless mortgage (IC)
Customers of NatWest can now apply for a completely digital mortgage, and can potentially receive an offer within 24 hours.
Society urges City watchdog urged to probe conveyancing panels (LSG)
The Law Society says a lack of transparency surrounding the reasons why firms are rejected from a panel is unhelpful.
Top-200 law firm insurer quits market – with ‘frightening’ consequences (LSG)
Libra Managers, which provides cover to 20 of the top-200, confirmed it will not underwrite any new business from 1 October.
‘Voluntary Right To Buy’ pilot launched in one region (EAT)
A regional pilot has been launched for what is called the Voluntary Right to Buy – a scheme giving housing association tenants the opportunity to purchase their homes at a […]
Ombudsman stands by fees ruling even though court decision is complete opposite (PIE)
The Property Ombudsman is standing by its ruling that an agent is entitled to its fee – even though a court subsequently decided the complete opposite and threw the claim […]
Property sales activity back at 2013 levels (PIE)
Sales volumes and house price growth have hit lows as the latest Land Registry data paints yet another gloomy picture of the property market.