Leasehold reform campaigners slam ‘vague platitudes’ in Law Commission review of the sector (PIE)
Leasehold reform campaigners have expressed concern that home owners could mistakenly delay extending or buying their freehold while they wait for the Law Commission to review the sector.
Majority of First Time Buyers overestimate conveyancing costs (TC)
New research has found that first time buyers are confused about the house buying process, with many misjudging costs and unaware of the differing responsibilities property professionals have.
Up to the sky and down to the centre of the earth; who owns what? (TC)
Shortage of space in London has led to property owners and developers striving to make the fullest use of that which is available.
Is blockchain the future of conveyancing? (TC)
There is a lot of talk about the potential of blockchain technology. But what exactly is it and how is it predicted to change the home buying process?
Sellers will be charged extra if they don’t use conveyancing service (PIE)
A complaint about online agent Tepilo, founded by TV presenter Sarah Beeny, has been informally resolved by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Lawyer reveals ‘shocking’ cases where agents steal from clients (PIE)
A lawyer has revealed that her firm has regularly handled cases in recent years where letting agents have stolen client money and then dissolved the company to avoid liability, only […]
Purplebricks says sellers using online agents saved £140m last year by not going with high street firms (PIE)
Sellers who used an online or hybrid estate agent last year saved themselves £140m by opting not to pay high street fees.
Government sees conveyancing as part of the housing problem (LSG)
The government has made a series of bold statements about reforming the ‘broken housing market’. It sees the conveyancing process as a big part of that problem.
Taxman knocks on firms’ doors amid VAT costs confusion (LSG)
Tax authorities have started to contact law firms directly regarding their VAT treatment of electronic searches, it has been confirmed.
Capital Gains change could create “compliance nightmare” warns tax expert (EAT)
A proposal by HMRC to speed up HMRC Capital Gains Tax payments for residential property sales could create a “compliance nightmare.”
UK lenders expect rebound in demand for mortgage lending in coming months – BoE (IC)
British lenders expect to see demand for mortgage lending rebound over the next few months after a sharp drop in the first quarter of 2018, a Bank of England survey […]
Consultation launched on residential building safety in the UK (IC)
The British Government has launched a consultation on proposals to toughen rules on residential building safety, particularly strengthening fire testing for cladding.