Tories reveal their big housing reform – the Home Information Pack (EAT)
The Conservatives have revealed the idea behind their manifesto pledge to “reform and modernise the home-buying process so it is more efficient and less costly” – and it’s a new version of […]
Conveyancer fined £7,500 after ‘sloppy’ handling of transaction (TC)
A solicitor has been fined £7,500 after overlooking indicators of potential money laundering when doing business with a family he had been instructed by previously.
Tories pledge whiplash reform and “stronger” legal services regulation (LF)
The Conservative Party is to press on with reforming personal injury, with a pledge in its election manifesto today to “reduce insurance costs for ordinary motorists by cracking down on […]
Malicious email targeting CQS member firms
There is currently an email being sent to a number of Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) member firms which is actually a spoof email and contains links to websites known to […]
Tory manifesto: May targets professional advisers (LSG)
An incoming Conservative government would increase the pressure on professional advisers to close the ‘tax gap’ – the difference between tax due and tax collected – according to the party’s […]
How Bridging the Digital Safety Gap can Reduce Conveyancing Fraud (IC)
Recent research on online fraud and scams from Barclays highlights that the digital safety gap is still too wide for comfort for both businesses and Barclays individuals.
Property ads may soon contain air quality information, says NAEA chief (EAT)
Estate agents’ listings may soon include compulsory information on a location’s air quality, the chief executive of NAEA Propertymark, Mark Hayward, has said.
Victory for agent in ‘outrageous’ money laundering case as HMRC is now told to pay costs (PIE)
An agent which successfully appealed after being hit with the highest-ever fine for alleged breaches of anti-money laundering, has won its fight to have its costs paid by HMRC.
Agent calls for first-time buyer Stamp Duty holiday and other incentives to get market going (PIE)
Estate agent haart is calling for a Stamp Duty holiday for first-time buyers, incentives for older families to move up the ladder and for the elderly to downsize as part […]
“Sloppy is an understatement” – solicitor sanctioned over dubious transaction (LF)
A solicitor who “failed to distinguish between the personal and professional” when doing business with a family he knew, meaning that he overlooked signs of possible money laundering, has been […]
Help! My house has been hijacked
So-called “property hijacking” — where fraudsters pose as legitimate owners of a property and sell it on without the real owner’s knowledge — is a growth industry for criminals in […]
Estate Agents: The Front Line In The War On Terror and Crime?
This June sees the introduction of the 4th Money Laundering Directive, with estate agents singled out for increasingly stringent money laundering and terrorist financing vetting.