TPO spells out when pre-contract deposits may be acceptable (EAT)
The Property Ombudsman has reiterated its new guidance in relation to agents accepting pre-contract deposits in certain circumstances.
Need to control Japanese knotweed grows (TC)
Following a landmark court ruling, property professionals are being urged to implement plans to effectively control Japanese knotweed.
Tribunal fines solicitor convicted after being taken in by ‘Pope’s banker’ conman (LF)
The solicitor who safeguarded more than £100,000 of stolen cash for a charismatic conman posing as the Pope’s banker has been fined £2,000 following her conviction for transferring criminal property.
Land Registry consultation: movement towards digital conveyancing (TC)
If a set of proposals by the Land Registry are approved, paper property deeds may finally be replaced by electronic documents.
Legal Ombudsman suspends publication of complaints data over accuracy concerns (LF)
The Legal Ombudsman has pulled from its website the details of law firms and chambers that have been subject to complaints because of concerns over their accuracy, it has emerged.
Registry announces new steps to digital conveyancing (LSG)
Electronic documents validated with digital signatures will finally replace paper property deeds if a set of proposals by Land Registry is approved. The agency recently released for consultation its plans […]
Rebukes for partners whose firm was tricked by fraudsters into paying away client’s money (LF)
Three partners of a law firm that was tricked by fraudsters into paying the proceeds of a property sale into the wrong bank account – and did not carry out […]
New progression platform ‘slicing two weeks off transaction times’, claim (PIE)
Early trials by estate agents of a new sales progression platform are said to show that its use is speeding up transactions by over two weeks.
ARLA and NAEA Launch Propertymark (IC)
Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) are today moving into a new era, altering their emphasis from industry facing licensing to consumer protection […]
Housing White Paper: Professional Opinion (TC)
Described as helping the “homeowners of tomorrow”, the recently released Housing White Paper outlines the government’s long-term plan to deal with the UK’s housing crisis.
High Court rules fracking can go ahead (TC)
Following the loss of a legal challenge from environmentalists, fracking is set to go ahead in North Yorkshire.
Consumer feedback furthers digital mortgage development (TC)
Land Registry’s Digital Mortgage service aims to digitise the mortgage process where there is no change of ownership and the mortgage is simply being added to an existing title register.