Final reminder from SRA on diversity data
The SRA has contacted firms this week who have not yet submitted their workforce diversity data on line. The data is due on the 31 January and to date only 3,954 firms have complied with the requirement. Repeated reminders have been sent out since last July when the online exercise first opened. The annual exercise […]
HMRC issue advice on SDLT procedure
Stephen Jewell, of HM Revenue and Customs, has issued some guidance explaining the importance of quoting the correct reference number and bank details when paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). The HMRC has said that they receive a significant number of calls and letters from customers querying if they have received their SDLT payment, or […]
9,000 homes to miss out on Flood Re
The Financial Times has reported confirmation from Defra that 3,800 homes in council tax Band H and 5,000 new builds will not be covered by Floor Re. Flood Re will see every UK household pay an additional £10 a year on top of their premium into a central pool of funds, also contributed to by […]
Goldsmith Williams recommend protecting “bank of mum and dad”
Property solicitors Goldsmith Williams have issued advice in response to the increased levels of first time buyers. They point out that for many first time buyers buying a house, raising the necessary deposit continues to present a challenge. Eddie Goldsmith, Senior Partner, Goldsmith Williams, said: “Many first time buyers struggle to get on the property […]
Lloyds TSB pays customers stamp duty
Customers taking out a mortgage with TSB for a home costing between £125,001 and £250,000, can now benefit from having their one per cent stamp duty paid by the Bank. This offer applies to a range of Lloyds TSB mortgage products with interest rates starting from just 2.84%. Ian Ramsden, Mortgages Director, TSB says: "With […]
Housing Index declares market in crisis
The latest asking price index from home.co.uk has declared that the housing market is in crisis and we are currently experiencing a calm before the storm. In particular the research pointed to supply of property for sale being placed on the market tumbling to the lowest level ever recorded by this index. This has meant […]
Conveyancing Association offer views on Bank of England proposals
A Conveyancing Association spokesperson has offered a legal perspective on the Bank of England’s plans to re-introduce 30-year fixed-rate mortgages in a bid to avoid a possible housing bubble in the UK. Peter Rodd, a spokesperson for the Conveyancing Association and senior partner at Boys & Maughan Solicitors, has offered the following advice: 1. General […]