Over 7,000 agents showing signs of ‘financial distress’ as numbers of insolvencies creep up (PIE)
A total of 153 estate agents have gone insolvent in the last year, up slightly from 148 the year before.
Purplebricks enters Canadian property market with take-over (PIE)
Purplebricks is to enter the the Canadian market with the acquisition of an online firm it describes as similar to itself.
Australian conveyancing attack highlights global risk of fraud (TC)
A case from Australia has highlighted the ongoing fraud threat which the conveyancing process is so vulnerable to.
Bermuda’s land registry to go on blockchain
The Bermuda Government has signed an agreement with the Bitfury Group to add blockchain technology to the island’s land registry system.
Calls made for new home ombudsman (TC)
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment have called on the government to make it mandatory for all housebuilders to belong to an independent ombudsman scheme.
Government releases new ‘how to’ guides on leasing, letting and renting (TC)
Three new guides designed to help landlords and tenants who work or live in private rented housing have been published this week.
Land Registration and residential leaseholds confirmed as Law Commission projects of reform (TC)
The Law Commission has this week issued an update on its latest programme of reform.
Transactions hit a two-year low across England and Wales – and in London, sales dwindle to a nine-year low (PIE)
Property transactions in England and Wales have hit their lowest level since the additional Stamp Duty charges were introduced in April 2016, London Central Portfolio claims.
Home buyers reveal lack of trust in estate agent conveyancer referrals (PIE)
More than a third of home buyers no longer trust conveyancers recommended by estate agents.
Industry share their view on referral fees survey launch (TC)
Last week, the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team launched a survey aiming to assess the use of referral fees by estate agents.
Gap between average seller expectation in the UK and actual selling price put at 45% (IC)
The difference between the average asking price and the actual selling price for property in the UK is currently 45%, with the gap highest in England and smallest in Scotland, […]
Benefits of reduced PII cover ‘illusory’, says City group (LSG)
The body representing City solicitors has published a stinging condemnation of plans to reduce law firms’ minimum professional indemnity cover.