Flattening house prices no cause for concern, property experts agree
Average UK house prices increased by 2%, to £272,000, in the 12 months to June 2026, down from 3% in the 12 months to May, according to the latest UK House Price Index from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Average house prices increased to £293,000 (1.8%) in England, £213,000 (1.8%) in Wales, and £195,000 […]
Nine in 10 small house builders think Building Safety Levy will make sites unviable – HBF
An overwhelming majority of small and medium enterprise (SME) house builders think the Building Safety Levy will make more development sites unviable, new research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) reveals. As the home building industry prepares for the imposition of a new charge on residential developments which kicks in on 1st October 2026, a […]
‘Use existing data before introducing new reporting obligations’ Law Society tells SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) should ensure proposals for new reporting requirements for firms are evidence-based, proportionate and do not create unnecessary administrative burdens, particularly for smaller firms, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. In its response to the regulator’s latest client money consultation, the Law Society said it supports the SRA’s […]
Former Law Society president calls for more support for ‘solicitors from all backgrounds’
A former Law Society president has called for greater attention to the pressures affecting solicitors from different backgrounds, as it was revealed a disproportionate number of Black solicitors are seeking support from The Solicitors Charity. Dr I. Stephanie Boyce CBE (pictured), president of the Law Society of England and Wales from March 2021 until October […]
Senior president of tribunals consults on changes to Residential Property Chamber
A consultation has been launched on proposed changes to the composition of the Residential Property Chamber of First-tier Tribunals to make them more flexible. The proposals are designed to help the system meet the anticipated increase in cases resulting from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which came into force on 1st May, by making it […]
The SRA has drawn its line on AI — here’s how to stay the right side of it
Following on from his regular series on AI in conveyancing, Ed Molyneux adopts a different approach. This week, he begins to explore the safe adoption of AI. In the first of a new series, he reads the SRA’s new warning notice as a design brief, and sets out how a firm builds an environment in […]