Conveyancing industry voices their concerns over lack of SDLT extension
There was widespread disappointment across the property industry last week following the Chancellor’s spending review which omitted an extension to the current stamp duty holiday. Conveyancers, estate agents, surveyors and property sector bodies were hoping that the Chancellor would extend or at least taper the deadline beyond 31st March to avoid homebuyers going off a […]
Conveyancing Training Academy experiences phenomenal growth
The Conveyancing industry is currently experiencing exponential growth, with Indeed reporting a 130% growth (over 900 roles), in the conveyancing sector since July. With a reported 21% increase in residential transactions during September compared to August and the continuous rise in demand in the property market in England and Wales, a lack of qualified conveyancers […]
Conveyancers confronting Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is the most invasive plant in the UK and due to the legal framework in place to protect homebuyers, it is a problem that conveyancers are often required to confront. The risks the plant presents both directly to property and to transactions is well documented, but what recent developments does every conveyancer need […]
Why AI could hold the key to revolutionising legal work on UK property transactions
This year has shown us that more than ever technology is an essential part of how we work. Integrating transformative technologies such as AI and machine learning should be front of mind if we are to build on the progress made to date around streamlining and improving efficiencies in vital legal real estate processes. We […]
Conveyancers to be ‘more’ vigilant states 2020-21 SRA Risk Outlook
The latest Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Risk Outlook 2020-21 gives a stark reminder to the conveyancing industry that they are most at risk to be targeted by money launderers. It states that conveyancers and the firms they work for need to be more alert as they are currently at ‘further risk’ of being used to […]
The impact of Covid on turnaround times in a conveyancing transaction?
Lockdown, mortgage payment holidays, a rise in mortgage applications and the move for many staff to home working has impacted on turnaround times but improvements are being made. The Building Societies Association said in some instances the time period between mortgage offer and completion has been longer than normal, but there are also examples where […]
HMRC data shows property market still recovering due to lockdown
The latest data from HMRC has revealed that residential property transactions for the UK have increased in October 2020 compared both with September 2020 and October 2019. The increase in figures is thought to be as a result of the pent up demand due to the UK wide lockdown as a result of the coronavirus […]
Help to Buy scheme applications open next month
Applications for the government’s revamped Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme are set to open on 16 December 2020. The scheme will run from April 20211 to 2023, and applies to new build only, enabling first-time buyers (FTBs) to borrow up to 20% (or 40%) in London the cost of a new build, paying a […]
Legal Eye Launches Risk and Compliance Hub
Risk and compliance consultancy Legal Eye is launching an online resource centre for law firms. The hub provides a comprehensive bank of resources to help COLPs, COFAs, partners, directors and managers to manage risk. It includes precedent policy and procedure documents and templates, access to online training on a range of risk and compliance topics, […]
Feel Good Friday: Aconveyancing
There have been lots of positive things happening across the sector this week, so we wanted to share these good vibes with you as part of our ‘Feel Good Friday’ news items. Here is a little snap shot of what’s been going on. Aconveyancing achieve Cyber Essentials accreditation Aconveyancing is proud to have been awarded […]
Challenges and opportunities of Brexit for construction industry
It was with much anticipation that the construction industry waited to find out exactly what was included in the new planning laws of July 2020. The changes announced by Robert Jenrick, the Housing Secretary, are focused on speeding up the processes that supply new homes to market, and helping breathe new life into town centres […]
England to be in the two toughest tier levels after lockdown
Health Secretary Matt Hancock sets out tougher rules for England’s new coronavirus tier system. As we come out of the second lockdown in a bid to protect vital services in the fight against the virus, Hancock confirmed that most of England will now be in the two toughest levels of measures when lockdown ends. After […]
How the pandemic has marked a turning point in the use of e-signatures
During the first national lockdown the housing market saw a period of reduced activity, closely followed by a boom fuelled by pent-up demand and the introduction of a stamp duty holiday. Data from the property portal Zoopla suggests pipeline sales are now up by 50% on the same time last year. Demand in all parts […]
Chancellor’s Spending Review pledges money to housing sector
As Chancellor Rishi Sunak addressed the House of Commons this afternoon he began to outline the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the UK economy. In his address, he spoke about property taxes and ended the speculation that these would be changed. However, this is only a short-term strategy with further considerations being made […]
Regional Spotlight: Historical land contamination in Yorkshire
Yorkshire has a rich and diverse history, which goes as far back as the Vikings, the Angles and the Romans. Yorkshire was a hub of industrialisation, with industries such as textiles, coal, iron and steel forming the base of the industrial revolution in Yorkshire, and the north of England[1]. The remnants of this rapid urbanisation […]
LSB plans to galvanise efforts to reshape legal services
A new report by the Legal Services Board (LSB) gives an in-depth review of the legal services sector following ten years of independent regulation. The State of Legal Services 2020 report is informed by data, evidence and conversations with a wide range of individuals and organisations over the last six months and research by the […]
EWS1 Certificate are no longer needed in some cases
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has revealed that homes without cladding would no longer need an ESW1 external wall safety certificate. The safety measures were introduced as a result of the Grenfell tower disaster, following the death of 72 people. Previously people have been refused mortgage on flats because owners have been unable to have the […]
Is Caveat Emptor the key to Conveyancing Reform?
The past couple of years has been full of discussion on how to improve the home buying and selling process. Indeed, at a roundtable meeting held by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) it was noted that the rapid adoption of technology due to Covid-19 could see the conveyancing process move from an emphasis on […]
The SDLT holiday & lockdowns: a perfect storm for technostress
Over the course of 2020, those working in residential conveyancing have had a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions. With the effective closing down of the residential property market in the first lockdown, followed by the unprecedented high levels of demand created by the lifting of restrictions, and indeed by the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) […]
“Worthless houses” due to Developer and Planning negligence
Residents on a new-build housing estate in Bradford have been told that their homes are currently worth nothing – as a result of planning and building failures. Penny Andrews, Operations and Compliance Director at Future Climate Info, explains why and the importance to conveyancers of acting on a Further Action result in an environmental search. […]
