Price publication rules ‘will drive down costs and quality’ (LSG)
Solicitors are worried that publishing fees will encourage potential clients to obsess about price, which will affect their ability to uphold the integrity of the law, a regular bellwether suggests.
£34.6 Million Lost To Cyber Criminals In Second Half Of 2018 (TC)
The latest figures from Action Fraud have claimed that financial losses caused by cyber crime increased by 25% between the months of April and September.
Compulsory electric tests to be introduced every five years for rental homes (PIE)
Compulsory checks are to be introduced every five years on electrical installations in private rented properties.
Agent challenges Purplebricks over referral fees paid to conveyancing firm (PIE)
Chris Wood, of PDQ Estates in Cornwall, has posted claims that Purplebricks’ customers are “over-paying for tied solicitors by hundreds of pounds”.
Faster transactions for buyers and sellers now priority for search group (EAT)
With far-reaching reforms of conveyancing and other aspects of house buying high on the government’s agenda, a trade body has revealed that it’s to restructure to become more PropTech focussed.
Email Fraud And Social Media Impersonation Increase By 35% (TC)
Once upon a time, the cyber criminal preferred virus-based attacks through malware or ransomware; now, the ONS have said that these criminals are looking to exploit social media and emails […]
Conveyancing needs to get a move on – and embrace technology (PIE)
Henry Ford, of Ford Motors fame, once said: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
Industry regulator publishes consumer guide for unhappy leaseholders (PIE)
The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team has published a guide for consumers seeking redress for leasehold issues.
Dual fees paid to estate agents a growing issue, says Ombudsman (EAT)
The issue of dual commission fees looks to be a growing concern, The Property Ombudsman has revealed.
Land Registry Adopting Blockchain Technology To Create Safer And Faster System (TC)
HM Land Registry have said that they intend to continue working with industry partners in a bid to ensure they remain ahead of the curve in terms of digitisation and […]
Costs shake-up proposed for landlord-leaseholder disputes (LSG)
Landlords would not be able to recover their legal costs from leaseholders unsuccessfully making ‘right-to-manage’ claims under proposals published by the Law Commission today.
Lloyds unveils 100% mortgage for first-time buyers
Purchasers need no deposit if family can back the loan by moving 10% of price into bank’s saver account.