Stamp duty hike for foreign buyers ‘contradicts Brexit claim’ (EAT)
Agents have reacted angrily to General Election proposals by all three main political parties to hike stamp duty for foreign buyers.
Public Demand Government Gazundering Regulations (TC)
The majority (80%) of all homeowners are looking for the Government to create legislation preventing gazumping and gazundering.
New solicitors’ rulebook goes live (LF)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (new rulebook – Standards and Regulations – comes into force today, with experts highlighting several areas of significant change and opportunity for firms.
New dawn for legal services regulation as solicitors set free (LSG)
The biggest overhaul of legal services regulation in over a decade comes into force this week – with far-reaching consequences for solicitors.
Stamp Duty Reform: have the Conservatives got cold feet? (EAT)
Pressure is building on the Conservative party to honour its previous commitment to reform stamp duty should it win next month’s General Election.
Make gazumping illegal! Overwhelming majority favour complete ban (EAT)
A new survey suggests that an overwhelming majority of householders want a legal ban on gazumping.
Liberal Democrats unveil Stamp Duty reforms in manifesto (PIE)
The Liberal Democrats have proposed linking Stamp Duty to the energy rating of a property as the party sets out its election manifesto.
NHBC launch new Standards for UK House Builders (TC)
The National House-Building Council has announced a number of technical standards set to be launched in 2020.
Slow searches ‘not to blame’ for transactions taking longer to go through (PIE)
A trade body has hit back at suggestions that slow local authority searches are slowing down transactions.
Why estate agents feel so short-changed by property portals – by The Times (PIE)
No less a paper than The Times has waded into the long-standing controversy over portals’ “substantial” charges to agents.
RICS Overhaul Home Surveys To Improve Home Moving Process (TC)
This week the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors launched a new Home Survey Standard to protect buyers and sellers, while providing better clarity and transparency to consumers.
Fraudster Jailed After Stealing £75k Home (TC)
A con woman has been jailed for 20 months after changing her name by deed poll, and selling a £75,000 house, without the real owner knowing.