Agents unfairly blamed for failings of ‘antiquated conveyancing system’ (EAT)
The founder of a new online sales assistance service says agents are often unfairly blamed by the public for failings in “a fragmented, antiquated and fundamentally broken conveyancing system.”
HMLR enable users to update name following change of gender (TC)
HM Land Registry have recently released a form enabling registered owners to update their name in the land register following a change of gender.
Purplebricks – What is really going on?
Purplebricks is one of a raft of new-breed estate agency companies making some bold and questionable claims in the property market at present but how many of these claims stand […]
Conveyancers not a ‘postbox’ for search results (LSG)
Conveyancing solicitors are more than just the client’s middleman when obtaining search results for a client, a judge has said, dismissing a law firm’s appeal against a VAT bill for […]
Banning the sale of leasehold new builds a ‘last resort’ (LSG)
An influential legal authority has urged the government to be cautious about prohibiting the sale of new-built homes on leasehold.
Criminals target fraud victims by post (TC)
A warning has been issued following fraudulent letters supposedly sent by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.
Has Taylor Wimpey done just enough to avoid being successfully sued?
Taylor Wimpey’s deal with Adriatic Land to vary doubling ground rents to those linked with RPI are the minimum it could do to prevent being sued.
Law firm faces £68,000 VAT bill after tribunal rules electronic property search fees are not disbursements (LF)
A leading north-west law firm has been ordered to pay £68,000 in VAT for electronic local authority property searches it procured from an agency, after a tribunal ruled that they […]
Comparison website ramps up offering in time with Law Superstore deal (LF)
A legal comparison website has gone live with its bespoke platform with the demand for such services in flux.
Ombudsman warns all agents over fraudulent computer virus scam (EAT)
The Property Ombudsman has taken the unusual step of warning all estate and letting agents to act with caution over fraudulent ‘buyers’ who are trying to spread computer virus scams.
Agents warned about fraudulent ‘buyers’ sending spam emails (PIE)
The Property Ombudsman has issued a warning to all estate and letting agents to act with caution, as fraudulent ‘buyers’ target agents with the latest computer virus scam.
Housing minister comes under attack after making first major speech (PIE)
Housing minister Alok Sharma has come under attack after making his first major speech since his appointment.