Why there is only so much you can do to prevent property fraud (PIE)
A recent Court of Appeal ruling indicates that solicitors acting for fake vendors can no longer hope to pin the blame for a property fraud on other parties in the […]
Licensed conveyancers first to face price and service transparency rules (LF)
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is to become the first regulator to mandate that the firms it regulates publish their service standards and prices online.
Controversial Labour MP says property better than pensions for retirement (EAT)
A Labour MP who has in the past been fiercely critical of estate and lettings agents now says that property is better than pensions for retirement.
Conveyancing clients would pay more for “premium” service, research finds (LF)
Over a third of home movers would be prepared to pay more for a “premium customer service” from their conveyancer, according to new research that also charts how local solicitors […]
Buy-to-let lending tumbles by almost half since introduction of Stamp Duty surcharge (PIE)
Buy-to-let lending is down 47% on levels before the introduction of the 3% Stamp Duty surcharge levied on the purchase of additional properties.
Digital escrow service removes need for lawyer to hold client cash (LSG)
A digital vault to hold funds in the homebuying process could remove the need for conveyancers to handle large sums if an escrow service which enabled the UK’s first fully […]
LSB censures Law Society – but content with regulatory independence (LSG)
The oversight regulator has issued its first public censure after finding that the Law Society broke its internal governance rules between 2014 and 2017.
VAT on electronic property searches: Interim guidance to firms
Law Society’s position.
Bank of Mum and Dad remains open and contributes towards 25% of purchases (EAT)
The Bank of Mum and Dad will provide funding towards around a quarter of property purchases this year, according to research.
No more keeping the removal van waiting! UK’s first digital mortgage transfer completes (PIE)
Payments provider Shieldpay has helped create the first fully digitised facility for funds to be transferred between a buyer and seller during the exchange and completion process.
A comprehensive register could speed up conveyancing (LSG)
HM Land Registry has set out its aim to have all land in England and Wales which is publicly owned land available for housing to be registered by 2030.
Buyers are overpaying the stamp duty surcharge, says national agency (EAT)
National estate agency Jackson-Stops claims that the 3% stamp duty surcharge on additional homes is still confusing buyers, despite being in operation for over two years.