Rightmove’s figures show steep price drop, but ‘Burnham bounce’ drives increase in demand
Rightmove’s latest house price index reveals the largest annual price fall since December 2023, but the headline figures mask a more positive measure of market sentiment: buyer demand has increased by 5% since July. Since Andy Burnham became prime minister on 20th July demand has increased and, while still 10% lower than the same period […]
Firms pay penalties of £137k in latest round of AML sanctions
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has shared details of penalties totalling £137,000 for breaches of anti-money laundering regulations, in decisions published since our last round-up in June. Two firms received the highest fines of £25,000, with one receiving a penalty of £1995 – the lowest imposed by the SRA in its latest round of decisions. Pothecary […]
Reports paint bleak picture of new housing supply
Reports from Savills and the Home Builders Federation reveal home completions remain flat, as the number of new home sites granted planning permission fall. According to the latest English Housing Supply update from Savills, 202,7000 homes were built in the year to Q2 2026, reflecting only a 0.4% rise compared to the last quarter. Savills […]
SRA cracks down on client account breaches
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued penalties to two firms and one individual for breaching client account regulations. Solicitor Jay Allan Tooker was fined £24,862, Charsley Harrison LLP was fined £18,552 and Hawkins Ryan LLP was fined £12,366, with all ordered to pay costs of over £1,300. Tooker, a partner at Holman Fenwick Willan LLP […]
Home ownership divide to widen as open letter calls on government to tackle ‘outdated legislation’
The divide between those able to afford to own a home and those not will grow without intervention warns the Building Societies Association (BSA) in a new report. The long-term strategy report Finance for a Fairer Future from the BSA warns home ownership will become the “central dividing line of financial security in Britain by […]
Family law disruptor plans regulated firm launch with conveyancing service for separating couples
Family law disruptor amicable has announced plans to launch a regulated law firm after submitting its application to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in July. The firm will include a new conveyancing service for separating couples. The divorce and separation provider said the new and separate law firm will serve England and Wales and provide […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – You can have cheap service, or good service – not both
I was asked to give a quote to a first-time buyer this week. The lovely lady called me as I had been recommended to her. She told me her mortgage broker had advised her to approach a firm in a different part of the country, but she wanted someone local. I asked her what […]