Conveyancers and searches in firing line of new government probe (EAT)
Conveyancers and the speed of local council searches have come in for criticism as details have emerged of the government’s consultation on the house buying process.
Government floats referral fee ban and acting for both sides in bid to improve home-buying process (LF)
A ban on estate agents charging solicitors referral fees along with loosening the restriction on conveyancers acting for both seller and buyer were suggested by the government yesterday as possible […]
Warning as number of solicitors tops 140,000 (LSG)
The number of practising solicitors in England and Wales has reached another all-time high as the profession continues to defy all predictions of a potential shakeout.
Estate agents under spotlight yet again as Government launches new inquiry (PIE)
At midnight, the Government launched yet another inquiry into the estate agency market.
Government launches consultation into house buying and selling (EAT)
The government has launched a consultation this weekend calling for evidence on how to make the home buying process “cheaper, faster and less stressful for those involved.”
Stamp Duty: pressure building on government for more reforms (EAT)
Pressure is continuing to build on the government to reform stamp duty in next month’s Budget.
Sellers who prefer house raffles to estate agents will have to pay 5% commission plus VAT (PIE)
A new portal has set up in opposition to estate agents to provide home-owners with a platform to raffle their properties.
Estate agents just aren’t ready for GDPR legislation, lawyers warn (EAT)
The UK estate agency and construction industries are not ready for the huge workload and responsibilities involved in the General Data Protection Regulation legislation coming into effect next May.
Mother and daughter who fooled estate agent in £1m scam have almost no money, court told (PIE)
A mother and daughter who pulled off a £1.2m property scam by hoaxing estate agents and solicitors have almost no money, a confiscation hearing has been told.
Trade body sets international agenda for invasive weed control event (IC)
Leading experts from across Europe will be sharing best practice at the annual International Invasive Weed Conference, organised by the Property Care Association.
Coal mine makes home impossible to sell (TC)
On this week’s Rip of Britain, the show looked at how one family was finding it impossible to sell their home due to a “nightmare neighbour, deep beneath the ground”.
Calls for auto-enrolment scheme to fund mortgage deposits (TC)
An independent, cross-party, think tank has called for auto-enrolment to help first time buyers save for deposits.