First-time buyers are late 20s with savings – most older renters think they’ll never buy a home
The majority of first-time buyers are aged between 25 and 34 and use their own savings to cover the deposit, according to data in the government’s latest English Housing Survey (EHS). In 2023-24, 60% of first-time buyers were aged between 25 and 34, with 21% between 35 and 44, 10% between 45 and 64, 7% […]
New desktop report instantly assesses knotweed risk within 2 mile radius
A new desktop report instantly assesses the risk posed to an individual property by Japanese knotweed, as well as the known incidences within a two and a half mile radius. The KnotSure report, from invasive plant specialists Environet, is based on an analysis of data that includes 100,000 known incidences of the plant across the […]
Right to Buy rush ‘will see more social housing sold than built’
Up to 18,500 council homes could be bought by tenants under the Right to Buy scheme over the next year, after potential purchasers rushed to submit applications following the drastic cut in discounts announced in last October’s budget. An analysis by The i Paper has found that applications rose by ‘as much as 100 times […]
New property partner among recent hires at Mincoffs
North East law firm Mincoffs has appointed Ashleigh Warne as partner in a series of April promotions. Warne will work closely with partner and head of residential conveyancing Emma Liddle, where she will utilise her ‘vast experience’ of handling complex property cases. The Mincoffs residential conveyancing team has also been boosted with the appointment of […]
SDLT knowledge check: Are you getting it right?
The many rules, reliefs and exemptions related to SDLT can be complicated, but mistakes can prove costly. Here are some useful FAQs brought together from our experience of common queries we see from conveyancers. First time buyers relief (FTBR) A purchaser inherited a share in a property but never lived in it – will FTBR […]
Hugh James and Movera strengthen teams with new partners and senior appointments
Top 100 UK law firm Hugh James has appointed eight new partners and two directors, while home moving group Movera has strengthened its leadership team with a new director of professional standards. Glen Walker brings two decades of experience in client-facing and risk-focused roles to Movera, which carries out over 300,000 conveyancing transactions every year. […]
21 years of Argyll: pioneering environmental risk management
From vision to reality: the beginnings of Argyll Environmental As Argyll celebrates its 21st birthday, we reflect on our journey from inception to becoming a leader in environmental risk assessments. Founded by Simon Boyle and his colleagues, Argyll started with a vision to create high-quality environmental reports. Supported by Landmark’s data, the company quickly gained […]
Change of ownership for property tax specialists Cornerstone
Cornerstone Tax, which specialises in SDLT advice for high-value transactions over £1 million, has been acquired by the firm’s professional connections director Chris Ward. The firm will continue to specialise in SDLT and plans to broaden its services to include capital gains tax, inheritance tax and ‘other private tax matters’. Ward has been with Cornerstone […]
How SME law firms can tackle the 2025 legal skills shortage
The legal landscape is evolving and SME law firms face an ongoing skills shortage that threatens long-term viability. With Gen Z and Millennial lawyers bringing different career expectations and experienced professionals moving toward flexible working or retirement, firms must evolve to attract and retain talent. A 2024 PwC study found that 37% of Gen Z […]
