Conveyancers warned to beware of Cyber Monday deals
Cyber Monday is hailed as the best day of the year for bagging an online bargain. But when it comes to conveyancing a misguided purchase could be costly, warns leading e-conveyancing provider, X-Press Legal Services. Many insurers require law firms and conveyancers to protect themselves against scams, recommending enhanced security, IT systems and accreditations such […]
HMLR practice guide updates: November 2022
HM Land Registry practice guide updates for November 2022 (PG12, PG11, PG67, PG80, PG50, PG63, PG14). Official searches (PG12) Page summary: How to make an official search and information on their purpose and effect (practice guide 12). Change made: Sections 5.3 and 5.4.5 have been amended to reflect our updated procedures for applications lodged orally. […]
Land Registry strikes put on hold
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union has announced the start of its programme of “sustained industrial action” – but the Land Registry is not amongst the initial cohort of government departments that will strike. In a statement, the PCS said: “We met with the Cabinet Office this week, but they did not make any […]
Autumn Statement: Stamp duty cuts to be reversed – but not until 2025
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has confirmed stamp duty cuts will remain in place until 31st March 2025 to support the housing market and those working within it, after which changes to nil-rate thresholds will be reversed. Pledging to calm the economic “storm” engulfing the UK amidst soaring inflation – which sits at a […]
Conveyancers told to brace for faxless world as Ofcom prepares to pull the plug
Ofcom has proposed to change the rules so that telecoms providers will no longer be required to provide fax services under the Universal Service Obligations – and new data suggests the impact on conveyancing firms could be significant. Earlier this month, Ofcom said that the current telecom rules – which require providers to offer a […]
Quiet confidence in order despite September’s slump in house price growth
New data released by HM Land Registry shows average house price growth flatlined between August and September of this year – though the industry is increasingly confident that any slump is more of a normalisation than a “sheer market crash”. Regionally, prices fell 0.6% in London, though rises of as much as 0.6% were seen […]
Over a quarter of homemovers unimpressed by their conveyancer, research reveals
Research has revealed 26% of homemovers report being dissatisfied by the service received from their conveyancer, with one in five suggesting they would opt for a different firm next time around. According to Smoove’s Home Movers Report, the cost of service (42%), quality (38%), and length of time to complete (36%) are the top three […]
Are awards part of your marketing plan?
With entries for The British Conveyancing Awards now open, here’s all you need to know on the value of entering awards ceremonies. When planning out your marketing strategy, do you consider including awards ceremonies? For some marketeers awards can be a distraction, an inconvenience. Other see them as a fantastic way to build up a […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 21st November 2022
Many years ago, I acted for a friend of mine whose family were moving to a larger house. On the day of completion, I decided that, as I was passing their house, I would pop in to see how they were getting on. It was chaos – there were people and boxes everywhere. I learnt […]
The Ombudsman’s Corner: 21st November 2022
Legal Ombudsman’s Scheme Rules April 2023 Aside from a couple of minor amendments and additions made back in 2012, our Scheme Rules have not changed from the date that I started my career at the Legal Ombudsman in January 2011. Last year, we decided to undertake a thorough review of them ahead of a two-stage […]
Joining the dots in the homemoving process
A conveyancing transaction is a fluid thing with many moving parts. Everyone involved has a view as to where the problems lie but only rarely is an holistic view taken as to how the home moving experience can be improved. The Home Buying & Selling Group (HB&SG) is the exception to the rule and that […]
