SearchFlow comments on HMRC’s latest release of UK Property Transaction Data
HMRC has revealed that residential property transactions have increased by 5.5% between January 2016 and February 2016. The seasonally adjusted figure is 16.1% higher compared with the same month last year. The number of non-residential property transactions has increased by 10.9% between January and February 2016, which is 12.7% higher compared with the same time last […]
Government publishes consultation on privatising Land Registry
The government has published a public consultation on privatising Land Registry. The consultation document says: “This consultation sets out options to move Land Registry into the private sector. A sale of Land Registry is expected to deliver a capital receipt for Government. This can be invested elsewhere for the benefit of the tax payer. In […]
LMS launches anti-conveyancing fraud tool
Conveyancing panel provider LMS has launched a new anti-fraud tool called AccountChecker which they say will help prevent the misdirection of funds to bogus firms. LMS say the service, which will be available at no additional cost, will rely directly on more than 5,000 bank account records that they have collated in developing PanelLink. In […]
SRA launch online solicitor checking database
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have launched an online database of law firms which they say will improve access to information on the 10,000 plus law firms they regulate. Law firm search, which can be found here, allows people to check whether firms are authorised by the SRA and provides some data such as contact details. It […]
Conveyancing firm avoids £100,000 damages claim despite admitting negligence
A conveyancing firm has avoided paying £100,000 (plus interest) despite admitting negligence after the Court of Appeal upheld a decision to award just £250 damages. Ipswich firm Gotelee and Goldsmith (now known as simply Gotelee) had been taken to Court former clients over the fallout from its handling of a property purchase. The complainant had […]
Mortgage Credit Directive implementation welcomed by brokers The Loans Engine
The implementation of the Mortgage Credit Directive, the main upshot of which is the introduction of a seven day reflection period for clients, has been welcomed by finance brokers The Loans Engine. The Loans Engine say they were one of the first second charge specialist finance brokers to receive formal confirmation from the FCA that […]
Fees on the sale of retirement homes
Paul Butt discusses so-called “hidden fees” within retirement home sales and looks at the case of Burrell v Helical (Bramshott Place) Ltd [2015] EWHC 3727 (Ch).