Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Housebuilding near well-connected train stations will receive planning permission by default if developments meet certain rules, the government has announced. Developers will be encouraged to build more homes near major transport links, with councils in
Data from moneyfactscompare.co.uk reveals almost one in five (17%) first-time buyers are seeking mortgages with a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 60%, which would require a deposit of around £110,000 for an averagely priced home. The
The government has shared its roadmap for implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act legislation, with the first tranche of reforms, including a ban on no-fault evictions, coming into force on 1 May 2026. Further changes
FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi has shared his vision for the mortgage market of the future, suggesting interest-only mortgages, low-start lending and pension advances could all help groups who struggle to access lending get on
05Speculation about the contents of the upcoming autumn budget is fueling uncertainty across the housing market, with property tax rumours triggering a drop in sales, Rightmove says. Average new seller asking prices fell by 1.8%
The new Advisory Working Group (AWG) formed by Bold Legal Group to respond to the government’s home buying and selling proposals has launched an online forum for conveyancers. AWG was created to respond to the
The Commons Housing Committee has confirmed freeholders have applied to appeal last month’s High Court decision rejecting their challenge to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA). Leasehold experts have warned the move could
The latest Housing Insight report from Propertymark includes figures which it says ‘are encouraging in parts’, but the estate agents’ body warns there are ‘clear challenges ahead’ for the housing market. An average of 73
Rightmove was dealt a new blow this week, with reports that thousands of estate agents could seek up to £1 billion in damages amid claims the property portal had been ‘abusing its dominant market position’
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a new equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy for the solicitors’ profession. The strategy forms a key part of the Law Society’s 2025-2028 corporate strategy and
The latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey reveals a notable cooling across the UK’s housing market, with buyer demand, sales activity and new instructions all falling further into negative territory. New buyer enquiries recorded a
Small and medium-sized home builders say they are being ‘increasingly squeezed out’ by larger developers, and removing tax and regulatory barriers could increase home delivery by 56% – the equivalent of around 35,000 new homes
Single earners are priced out of the property market in many parts of the country, with average earnings and house prices making it impossible to save enough to buy within a lifetime, according to new
HM Land Registry has improved its digital services for customers who use software connected to Business Gateway application programming interfaces (APIs). The update will ensure a more reliable and flexible service for those developing software
RBC Capital Markets has criticised what it says was a market overraction to Rightmove’s announcement that profits would be hit by increased investment into AI on Friday, when share prices fell by as much as
Over 30,000 new homes were registered to be built in the third quarter of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 8%, according to new figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC). In Q3 2025, 30,643
Members of the Scottish Parliament have voted to passed a land reform bill to help reduce land ownership amongst a small number of people and give communities a greater say over privately owned land. The
Mayors outside of London will be given greater influence over the government’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, working jointly with Homes England to shape the course of action for affordable housing money in
Data from mortgage technology and data company Twenty7tec reveals a continued overall drop in total residential searches, with first time buyer searches experiencing the steepest decline, but an increase in remortgage activity. The slowdown reflects
Many UK solicitors believe the risks associated with client accounts have grown in recent years, but are concerned losing control of the accounts would impair their ability to deliver services effectively, according to a new
The Halifax House Price Index for October reveals house prices rose by 0.6% – the fastest pace since January – and mortgage approvals have reached their highest level this year, which the building society says
Last week, HM Land Registry set out its ambitions for 2025 and beyond in a strategy it says will deliver better services and create a faster, less stressful property market, centred around the use of
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reviewed ‘a substantial body of data’ for a thematic review of source of funds and wealth compliance, and says it is ‘concerned by the continued levels of non-compliance’. Data
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has released its annual complaints data and insight for 2024/25, which reveals an increase in demand for help that has continued to rise significantly in the first half of 2025/26. Residential
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted to maintain Bank Rate at 4%, by a majority of five to four, with the minority voting for a reduction of 0.25 percentage points. Announcing the
Property inspection app Survey Shack has been selected as one of six startups for the 21st cohort of the Geovation Accelerator Programme from Ordnance Survey (OS) and HM Land Registry (HMLR). One of three start-ups
Legal and professional services business Knights has strengthened its team in Colchester with the appointment of Julie Hoy as a partner in real estate. A residential development specialist, Hoy has over 20 years of experience
HM Land Registry has set out its ambitions for 2025 and beyond in a strategy it says will deliver better services and create a faster, less stressful property market, centred around the use of data
A survey by conveyancing membership body Bold Legal Group (BLG) reveals widespread concern about the sustainability of the conveyancing profession, with 93% of respondents reporting the role has become more challenging or is in decline.
The Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) has published the Legal Ombudsman’s draft 2026/27 business plan and budget, marking the final year of its 2024-27 strategy. The ‘ambitious’ plan has been drafted in response to record
Law firms are being urged to prepare for new Companies House rules for mandatory identifiy verification, which come into force on 18th November. Client due diligence platform Thirdfort is warning firms not to leave compliance
SME law network LawNet has named the two firms of the year in its annual awards, which are held to celebrate innovation and success across the organisation’s members. South-west firm Wolferstans LLP was named Law