SDLT Draft Legislation consultation
Consultation on Draft Legislation for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) has been opened, and is asking for views for people from across the board. The consultation description reads: “We welcome views and comments on the draft Stamp Duty Land Tax (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. “This consultation sets out the proposed changes to the SDLT return […]
A remote working overhaul could save a firm tens-of-thousands of pounds
The debate continues whether remote working will become more prevalent when the UK is released from the effects of the pandemic. But one thing that is seeming almost set in stone is the regularly moving restrictions are going to remain into 2021 with mass vaccination not likely until the Spring or Summer. In a recent […]
HMRC chase potential CGT payments
According to Blick Rothenburg, a tax and advisory firm, HMRC are sending out 14,000 letters to people who have sold residential property during the 2018/19 tax year to check whether they owe Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The Financial Reporter, published a comment from Suzanne Briggs, a partner at the firm. She said: “Anyone who has […]
Handling customer complaints is tough when you are doing your very best to help them!
So many hard-working conveyancers are talking about the challenge of handling demanding clients right now and everyone is experiencing delays due to sheer volume of work. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t want to help their customers. The best reward is to receive a heart-felt “thank you” so a complaint feels like a kick in […]
1000% surge in council property searches amid homebuyer scramble to save on stamp duty
Residential property searches by local councils have skyrocketed by as much as 1400 percent, but many are taking as long as forty days to complete, as the number of requests reaches unprecedented levels driven by house hunters racing to buy and beat the end of the stamp duty holiday. Kate Bould, a specialist in the […]
Lockdown 2.0: what does it mean for the English housing market?
On Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that a second English lockdown would come into force in England on Thursday 5 November and would last until Wednesday 2 Decemeber. Although the lockdown hasn’t been progressed and approved by Parliament, it is thought that the lockdown is a foregone conclusion as once again restrictive measures are […]
Updated Practice Notes – 2 November 2020
Three Practice Notes have been updated today. These are: Large-scale applications and calculation of fees (PG33) Statements of truth (PG73) The guidance document HM Land Registry portal: electronic Document Registration Service (e-DRS) has also been updated this morning.
Paul Sams reassures Conveyancers that it’ll be OK
Last week we shared the frank and honest video diary of Belfast solicitor Philip Armstrong, as he discussed the challenges conveyancers are currently experiencing, with the current boom in home movers hamstrung by the Covid-affected infrastructure trying to serve it. The video was originally posted on LinkedIn, and had a surge of comments and views. […]
Second lockdown announced in England, house moves still permitted
UPDATE 1 Nov 2020 Further guidance has arisen today, with regards to whether the housing market can still continue during lockdown. Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government took to social media to reveal that the housing market would still be able to operate. In a tweet Mr Jenrick wrote: “Housing […]
‘Contract Ready’ scheme completes house sale in 8 weeks
Last month we reported on our ‘Contract Ready’ pilot that we are running with estate agents Ryder & Dutton who have implemented the scheme across their 24 branches in the North of England. This month we are thrilled to share that no less than 3 cases have already completed through Minerva’s portal a completion occurred […]
Four Ways to Fight Friday Afternoon Fraud
Friday has always been one of the most popular days to complete a house purchase – certainly not news to solicitors, who understandably now favour pretty much any other day of the week. Perhaps there’s simple logic to the fact that Friday stands firm as a favourite; the prospect of a weekend spent unpacking beats […]
Application cancellations to resume this month
HM Land Registry (HMLR) have revealed that they will resume the cancelling of applications with outstanding requests for information (recquisitions) from this month. The cancellations will resume from 16 November and customers should have begun to receive letters explaining how they can apply for an extension if conveyancers have been unable to reply. A statement […]
