First-time buyers baffled by stamp duty relief
Despite government attempts to help first-time buyers, a recent report by L&C Mortgages has revealed that almost a third are still confused by the stamp duty changes. Astonishingly, and in spite the government widely publicising the fact that first-time buyers have saved 284 million in stamp duty fees, 31% of first-time buyers remain unclear if […]
Index goes from Strength to Strength
Following a successful integration with Stewart Title, Index Insure continues to add value to its conveyancer offering by allowing clients to order Title Insurances via its intuitive online ordering platform that has become well known for its simplicity and ease of use. Stephen Smith, UK Country Manager for Stewart Title observed that “Busy conveyancers need […]
Exclusive Interview with the Former Chairman of The Conveyancing Association
Entrepreneur, conveyancing specialist and former Chairman of Conveyancing Association (CA), Eddie Goldsmith retires from the industry after 35 years heading up GWLegal, known as Goldsmith Williams until May 2017. Eddie was a former Partner at GWLegal, a leading national firm with over 34 years in the property field. The firm has an abundance of experience […]
The Legal Services Board approves of SRA price transparency regulations
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has unequivocally agreed with the recent Solicitors Regulatory Authority’s (SRA) price transparency reforms. Under the new regulations, the SRA has said that all costs should be “clear and accessible,” ideally on the homepage. It was also adamant that all “basis for your charges, including hourly rates or fixed fees” must be […]
Embracing Proptech is the future according to conveyancers
According to Property Week’s recent survey, conveyancers are excited by the increased use of proptech in the property industry. The report found that 61% of respondents believed that technology will only have a more positive effect on the home buying process and company revenue over the next five years; this statistic has risen from the […]
Conveyancer Spotlight – Keoghs Conveyancing
Keoghs conveyancing is the conveyancing arm of one of the UK’s top 100 legal firms, having offices situated across the country with headquarters in Bolton and nearly 50 years’ experience in conveyancing. The legal firm, Keoghs represent most of the UK general insurance market and have developed a strong reputation for delivering first-class results through […]
London Property Market is cooling whilst Manchester and Birmingham heat up
In a time when house sales remain flat or falling, propcast have issued their figures for August, informing the public about how different regions fair in terms of house selling. According to HMRC statistics: “UK home sales fell by 3% to 96,340 in June. In the three months to June sales were unchanged from the […]
Should agents and conveyancers encourage improved communication between all property professionals?
A recent joint memorandum made by various sections of the Northern Irish property professionals has indicated that improved communication is important to ensure a smooth and swift home buying experience. The Joint Memorandum on improving communications between professions states: “The Law Society of Northern Ireland, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (NI) and the National […]
Rental market drying up could result in 15% rent rise
According to a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), rents could rise to 15% by 2023 as the amount of new rental properties fades. The survey said that small scale landlords are pulling out of the rental market while tax changes which were brought in last year were blamed as it had […]
LawSure Insurance Acquires Assured Indemnities
LawSure Insurance (www.lawsureinsurance.co.uk), a market leading broker in the provision of Legal Indemnity insurances has recently acquired the on-going business rights of Assured Indemnities, a long-established broker who also specialises in the provision of legal indemnity covers. The acquisition means that LawSure will increase its customer base by at least 30%, particularly in the North […]
Anne Lucking joins the Board of PCCB
The Property Codes Compliance Board (PPCB) which regulates the Search Code has appointed Anne Lucking, Managing Director of Index Property Information Group, as a new Board member. Anne is the nominated representative for the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) on the Board and replaces Alan Thorogood of Infotrack who relinquishes his post by rotation […]
Sadiq Khan claims the Draft Tenants Fees Bill does not go far enough to protect tenants
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has criticised the Draft Tenants Fees Bill which looks at bolstering the rights of private rental tenants. Whilst home ownership continues to decline and getting a foot on the property ladder is more difficult than ever, it is no surprise that the UK rental market has increased. In the […]
You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression
I was out walking with my son a few weeks ago, along our local high street. We are very fortunate to have endless options of coffee shops/cafes, all within a short walk of each other. On this particular day, I noticed that one of them had closed down. It was no real surprise though – […]
Buy-to-let landlords lumped with more potential tax increases
Following on from a recent article highlighting the interest rate implications for buy-to-let property owners, it would seem that the government are considering a stamp duty surcharge on additional homes, holiday homes and buy-to-let property. Ex chancellor, George Osbourne, introduced a three per cent surcharge in April 2016 for additional property. It has now been […]
SRA issue warning notice on solicitors providing banking facilities through a client account
Under the updated rule 14.5 of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules, the SRA have issued a warning notice on how all practitioners who have any involvement in holding or using money received for clients or others. Rule 14.5 of the SRA Accounts Rules states: “You must not provide banking facilities through a client […]
Tenants will be the real victims of the recent interest rate rise
Following The Bank of England’s decision to increase interest rates from 0.5% to 0.75%, industry insiders have revealed that buy-to-let landlords and first-time buyers will be most affected. This in turn means that private tenants will be the real losers as landlords pass the price increases onto tenants through increased rents. Nick Marr, co-founder of […]
Report claims only 27% of legal service users ‘shop around’
A recent report into how consumers are choosing legal services has found that users are driven by many factors, but they are not shopping around for legal services. Shockingly, the report, carried out by the Legal Services Consumer Panel, claims that only 27% of legal service users shop around before using a company. Because of […]
Conveyancer comments on Leasehold reform proposals
Following a recent article regarding leasehold reform possibly not helping leaseholders enough, some conveyancers believe that freeholders’ rights and needs should also be considered. Are ‘multi-millionaire’ freeholders exploiting the system or innocent pensioner investors being ignored? In their critical report on the Law Commissions reforms, Leasehold Solutions claim: “It is also disappointing that the Law Commission […]
Terrafirma CEO stars in new TV Series, Sinkholes.
Look out for Terrafirma’s CEO on the new series of Sinkholes, starting tomorrow on Channel 5. After the success of the first series, produced by Boomerang Productions for Channel 5 and initially airing in November 2017, Terrafirma’s CEO has been asked back to star in the upcoming first episode of Sinkholes Series 2. Tune in tomorrow […]
Manchester Housing Business set to increase following Shoosmiths new Manchester team
The law firm Shoosmiths have opened a new residential development practice in Manchester. The fresh team, headed up by Tony Nutting and supported by conveyancers Laura-Louisa Betts and Emma Burns, will aim to offer end-to-end service for residential developers in the region. It is hoped that the move will help the business cover greater sections […]
