A Few More Thoughts on Misrepresentation
When you get to my time of life, it is not unusual to be asked as to how conveyancing has changed since I started in practice. And yes, there have been changes – some not for the better! But a recent case set me thinking about one thing that has not changed; the importance of pre-contract enquiries. For […]
Conveyancing Association shortlisted for second annual ESTAS Conveyancing Awards
The ESTAS Group – which highlights the best firms for customer service involved in the home-moving process – has today (5th September 2018) revealed its shortlist for the 2nd annual Conveyancer Awards, which is supported by the Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry. The results for the Awards are based […]
HM Land Registry Continues to Prevent Fraudulent Applications
HM Land Registry (HMLR) has successfully prevented 279 fraudulent applications being registered since 2009. This number represents a saving in property value of more than £133.4 million. At HMLR, we collaborate with our professional customers, like conveyancers, to continue this positive trend. Thankfully, property fraud is extremely rare, but for the unlucky few, the repercussions […]
ESTAS Conveyancing Awards Annual Shortlist Revealed
The ESTAS Conveyancing Awards has officially announced the yearly shortlist for the upcoming 2nd annual Awards on 19th October. This prestigious black tie event, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London, will be hosted by TV property expert and ESTAS Brand Ambassador Phil Spencer. The ESTAS Group highlights the top firms who have […]
Intense consumer dissatisfaction with leasehold property
Customers sign the final paperwork, receive the keys and drive up to their shiny, untouched new build with a naive optimism and pride that they own their own forever home, only to discover that they are trapped in a mis-sold leasehold nightmare. This is the unfortunate truth that has been overwhelmingly revealed in NAEA Propertymark […]
Facebook enter the buy-to-let sector
Facebook are set to launch into property by placing rental property listings to their Marketplace function. Initially, the listings will be supplied by Zoopla and OnTheMarket, but it is assumed that many portal-based agents will be sure to follow as the social media juggernaut will exponentially increase the visibility of their properties. Many have speculated […]
Is your Firm’s Website Compliant with the SRA Transparency Standards?
Now that the Legal Services Board (LSB) has approved the new rules and reforms that were proposed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA), legal service firms have until to December 2018 to comply with the proposed changes. Whilst we are in the midst of summer, visions of the festive season are still a summer holiday and autumn […]
Over 7,000 vote in 2nd annual Customer Service Awards for conveyancers…
The ESTAS Group which highlights the best firms for customer service involved in the home moving process has revealed its annual shortlist for their 2nd annual Conveyancer Awards sponsored by SearchFlow. The results are based purely on feedback data received from customers who were asked a series of questions about the service they received during […]
SearchFlow prepares for charity Dragon Boat Race challenge
On 9th September, an intrepid team from SearchFlow will be taking part in its first ever Dragon Boat Race to raise money for the company’s nominated charity, the Demelza Hospice in Kent. A team of 16 from SearchFlow will be taking part in the Tonbridge Dragon Boat Race, which will see at least 10 teams competing […]
Decision First launches game changer for redemption statements
Decision First automates Santander’s redemption service to provide real-time response to law firms Lender Exchange operator, Decision First, has launched its new redemption service for Santander, marking a radical improvement in the process of requesting and receiving redemption figures. Following a successful soft launch with a handful of volume conveyancing firms, it has now opened […]
Property experts discuss Government Stamp duty relief proposals
The issue of stamp duty relief is high on the Government’s agenda with a lot of speculation as to how best to improve the flow of housemovers. Lord Best, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older people believes the abolishment of stamp duty for elderly people looking to […]
Friends of the Earth challenge the revised NPPF
The environmental organisation ‘Friends of the Earth’ is seeking High Court Action in the hope of forcing the Government to carry out adequate Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) of the policies embedded with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The main concerns raised were that the new NPPF seems to be in favour of fracking, open […]
Report suggests conveyancers are to blame for property transaction delays
30% of people recently surveyed, by When You Move, claim that their property completions were delayed by an average of 6.4 weeks because their conveyancers were out of the office. Whilst there are many reasons why the conveyancing process is moving as fast as it can, many have been left reeling at the unforeseen, preventable […]
Bank of Mum and Dad facing crisis
A recent report, carried out by Legal and General and Centre for Economic Business Research (Cebr), has found that parents are struggling to help their children acquire property and it is making them feel financially vulnerable. Astonishingly, The Bank of Mum and Dad are loaning an average £18,000 of their hard-earned savings to their children, […]
Average House Prices Continue to drop in August
Not since 2012 have monthly house prices fallen so dramatically, with prices decreasing by 0.5% month-on-month. It seems as though all recent reports into the housing and conveyancing market deliver apocalypticesque conclusions and a new report by Nationwide perpetuates the summer slowdown stereotype. The average house price in August was £214,745; in comparison the same […]
How does a marketing plan help your business?
Are you a planner or do you prefer to stay nimble and grasp opportunities as they come? Business owners often fall in to two camps – successful entrepreneurs with a well thought through and structured business plan; and those with equally thriving businesses that operate ‘by the seat of their pants.’ Whether you’re a list […]
Government Deposit Schemes Paper debates deposits
In the midst of the Tenants Fees Bill that is due for Third Reading on Wednesday, the Government have published a deposit schemes paper that indicates the main problems with the existing system involve non-compliance and lack of enforcement of tenancy deposit schemes and unaffordable deposits. Amendment 28 of the scheme looked for Government to […]
Will law firms be ready if customers start to ‘shop around’ for legal services?
According to a report from the Legal Services Consumer Panel, the proportion of consumers comparing legal service providers remains unchanged year-on-year at 27%. This proportion drops even lower in certain areas of law, such as probate (16%) and personal injury (14%). The much-publicised intention to force law firms to publish their prices on their websites […]
The Conveyancing Association welcomes significant capital injection for industry regulator
The voice of the UK Conveyancer believes the funding boost for National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT) will mean better compliance with CPR – and improved consumer experience. The Conveyancing Association are encouraged to hear the Government’s announcement that they are doubling the funding for the NTSEAT and believe the conveyancing industry will reap […]
Research indicates Government Help to Buy Schemes only helps wealthy people
Following a review by Government ministers, rumours are rife as to whether the Help to Buy Scheme is to be scrapped. Speculation has grown on whether or not it will be axed as recent research indicates that the scheme, which was implemented to support first-time buyers, is increasing house prices and only helping rich people […]
