Record high for bridging finance
According to the latest West One Bridging Index total gross bridging lending reached £1.79 billion in the year to August 2013. July and August marked a record high for bridging loans with £194 million in gross advances representing an estimated 36% of total lending. Over the last year buy-to-let landlords have used £640 million in […]
185 firms apply for extended cover
The SRA has revealed that 185 firms have applied to them for the extended indemnity period (EIP) of insurance, having failed to secure cover by 1 October. Previously firms would have been to apply to enter the Assigned Risks Pool (ARP), where the whole profession and all participating insurers covered any liabilities, however this was […]
Changes rung for Chancel Repair
Today marks the start of a new regime for chancel repair, with properties sold now being free of any liability for repairs to medieval and earlier church chancels unless the right has been registered by the relevant PCC. It will still be possible for churches to register the liability on a property, but only if […]
Vote now: Local Land Charges awards
Throughout October and November solicitors and conveyancers across the country are asked to nominate the local authority that provides them with the best customer service. Nominations for the Customer Satisfaction Award for local authority searches can be made by local authority searches customers —solicitors and licensed conveyancers. The closing date for all entries is December […]
New leasehold process to speed to home sales
A new standardised procedure for buying and selling flats has been announced that it says will make property transactions easier. The Leasehold Property Enquiries Form, or LPE1, is a standardised questionnaire for the industry which it is thought will reduce leasehold transactions by between five and 10 days and save UK consumers a combined total […]
Conveyancing Association highlights lack of conveyancers
Eddie Goldsmith, Chairman of the Conveyancing Association has highlighted the need for more conveyancers, especially with the arrival of the second phase of Help to Buy. He said that many members of the Conveyancing Association are recruiting staff in order to service the increased workload. He said: “It is a great position for us all […]
Discussions on 'The One Show' surrounding Chancel Repair Liability
On ‘The One Show’ last night there was an interesting and informative discussion on how chancel repair liability is currently affecting people and also how the change in the law will affect clients and yourselves after the 12th October. The programme that was aired gives important information on what changes occur after the 12th October. […]
Chancel Repair Liability – business as usual?
Church — No! Conveyancers — Yes! Why? 1. Chancel Repair Liability will still affect properties that transact post the 12th October 2013. As only 5% of properties transact in the UK every year, this leaves 95% of properties still vulnerable after year 1. (Please note that this 5% is not all new properties, […]
Average buyer age will drop due to Help to Buy
The UK’s largest conveyancer myhomemove has revealed research that shows the average age of a first-time buyer (FTB) is set to fall by around six years, thanks to the Government’s new Help-to-Buy scheme, launched last week. The research looked at the 3,700 first-time buyers they have helped enter the market through their subsidiary, Premier Property […]
SRA intervention: GPB Solicitors LLP
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has intervened into the practice of Mr Simon Andrew Clive Newbold, Ms Zakia Khalid and Mr Roy George at GPB Solicitors LLP based at GPB House, Arden Court, Arden Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6NT. In the event of an intervention the SRA stop the firm from operating, take possession of all […]
Warning: Fraud using names “Lawyer Menear Saw" of "Advocates Menear Saw Solicitors”
The SRA has warned that a member of the public has been sent a fake loan agreement purportedly prepared by “Advocates Menear Saw Solicitors” and signed by “Lawyer Menear Saw”. The agreement offers to loan the borrower a substantial sum of money and charge 2% interest on the loan repayments. The document is purportedly signed […]
CPD Marathon crosses the finish line
More than 800 delegates attended PSG’s CPD Marathon of 26 seminars and 9 webinars throughout September. The seminars each provided 3 SRA accredited CPD points and took place at venues across England and Wales. For those who couldn’t attend these were complemented by 9 one hour webinars. Stephen Murray, Business Development Director at PSG said: […]
New head of residential property at LCF
Julie Davis has been appointed as the new head of residential property at LCF Residential — the conveyancing division of the Ilkley-based law firm Last Cawthra Feather (LCF). Ms Davies has almost 30 years experience in the industry and has previously worked for Emsleys Solicitors, Fox Hayes, Blacks and Shulmans. She succeeds former senior partner […]
Controversy reigns over housing minister reshuffle
As part of yesterday’s government reshuffle Housing Minister Mark Prisk was asked to step down. His replacement has not yet been formally announced. The decision will be confirmed this afternoon but junior minister Kris Hopkins is likely to be handed the housing brief. Mr Prisk responded to the decision on twitter saying: “Been asked to […]
Early launch of Help to Buy
David Cameron will officially launch Help to Buy today, three months earlier than originally planned. He said on twitter this morning: “I’ll be launching #HelptoBuy later-it’s wrong that many people on the average wage can’t buy the average house or flat. We are helping them.” The final scheme rules were published today allowing lenders to […]
CLC Intervention: Blueprint Property Lawyers
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) intervened in Blueprint Property Lawyers of 3rd Floor 205 Wardour Street London W1F 8ZJ on Friday 4th October. The CLC want to assure existing clients of Blueprint Property Lawyers that they are working to ensure that outstanding conveyancing transactions can proceed with minimal inconvenience. If you have any queries, […]
New free property portal launches
A new international property search engine aims to shake up the UK property market by offering a completely free service to consumers. Propertini is a Californian based business that believes current services do not operate in the best interests of consumers. Their objective is to provide the best and most comprehensive property search results based […]
SRA intervenes into Abode Solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has intervened into the practice of Abode Solicitors at The Studio, Greengate, Cardale Park, Harrogate. The firm has been closed with immediate effect. The SRA will stop the firm from operating, take possession of all documents and papers held by the firm (including clients’ papers), and take possession of all […]
Buy-to-let investors opt for university towns
Leicester, London, Leeds, Liverpool, Chelmsford, Bristol and Coventry have topped myhomemove’s Regional Buy-to-Let Index (2008-12) showing that students are helping to prop up the housing market, as buy-to-let investors opt for university towns. Leicester is leading the way for investment outside of London with 286 buy-to-let properties purchased in the last five years thanks to […]
Forster Dean Solicitors expands team
FORSTER DEAN Solicitors has welcomed Emma Pulley to their team in Crewe. Emma previously worked in their Widnes office. Emma Pulley said: “Having spent many years in our Widnes office I now look forward to working in Crewe fulltime. “It is a busy well established office, having good relationships with both estate agents and existing […]
