Conveyancers rush to beat the end of relief deadline.
Last November George Osbourne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in his pre-budget report that the relief for first time buyers from stamp duty land tax up to £250,000 would come to an end last Friday. The relief has been available from the 25th March 2010 but the announcement last November of the end to […]
Lenders address the Conveyancing Association on panel management
Last Thursday the Conveyancing Association held its All Member Meeting at the Russell Hotel. The meeting was sponsored by Moneypenny. Santander and Lloyds Banking Group addressed the group and explained their thinking to avoid fraud in conveyancing. Tracey Carr, Financial Crime Manager at Santander, and Alison Clair, Manager, Secured Fraud External Relations at Lloyds Banking […]
HSBC claims 99% of cases go through without a hitch.
Up until now the criticism of HSBC’s decision to use only one of 43 firms to act for itself in conveyancing transactions have been held outside of the glare of the consumer media. Trade organisations and media have been debating the pro’s and con’s of the decision since the launch in January but over the […]
Budget announcement sees ERSA warn industry to “be ready”
The recent budget announcement will see the single state pension amount introduced and the age related allowance frozen which, according to Claire Barker, Chairman of ERSA, will see many receiving less money following retirement and could lead to an increase in equity release transactions. Claire comments: “The announcement of the introduction of a single state […]
Flood Insurance risk for both existing and potential home owners
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Government committed to provide affordable flood insurance to homes in “flood risk” areas, with the Flood Insurance Statement of Principles. The initial Statement of Principles was agreed in 2000 and will lapse at the end of June 2013 with the ABI refusing to renew on the grounds […]
Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank back Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS)
Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank are backing the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) by restricting membership to its mortgage lender panels in England & Wales to firms with the CQS mark or which are already on its approved panel for undertaking business lending work. Michael Webber, Head of Legal Services for Clydesdale and Yorkshire […]