Remortgage activity has returned to normal following the spike seen in March, according to the latest Q2 2026 statistics from conveybuddy. The latest quarterly figures show purchase/sale transactions increased as a proportion of overall instructions
Former defence secretary John Healey has been announced as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer in Andy Burnham’s government, replacing Rachel Reeves. His first move has been to remove VAT from energy bills. “For too
Mortgage demand softened in the second quarter of this year as affordability pressures were exacerbated by rising borrowing costs, the latest research suggests. The Stonebridge network’s quarterly Mortgage Market Index shows the average rate rose
New research recommends introducing Flood Performance Certificates (FPCs) for all new-build properties. FPCs are similar in concept to Energy Performance Certificates, and are designed to provide a formal assessment of a property’s resilience to flooding.
Only one in 10 first time buyers in Northern England pay stamp duty compared to five out of 10 in the South East and nearly eight in 10 in London, new analysis from Zoopla reveals.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data reveals the number of Black judges has remained “disappointingly stagnant”. The diversity of the judiciary statistics for 2026 show Black judges make up only 1.6% of the judiciary, up slightly
The number of property sales in the UK which fell through rose by 9.8% during the first quarter of 2026, the latest index by the House Buyer Bureau reveals. Failed transactions cost the housing sector
Plans to introduce the flood-related equivalent of an Energy Performance Certificate moved closer this week following publication of new research into a standardised data template for the systematic collection and documentation of household resilience and
The housing market in England and Wales remained subdued in June although there were signs of marginal improvement, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK Residential Market Survey. New buyer enquiries remained
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has welcomed the government’s plans to reform the buying and selling process, but warns its success will rely on engaging “all participants in the home moving process”. Simon Law,
Ending stamp duty land tax could bring up to 750,000 homes to the market across England within three years, new research suggests. According to the Jackson-Stops Housing Mobility Report, stamp duty is the third most
A government-backed reinsurance scheme designed to offer flooding insurance to homeowners and renters in high risk areas has announced a series of major reforms to mark 10 years since it launched. The new measures are
Small and medium-sized home builders are experiencing a sharp deterioration in confidence, new research suggests. The Home Builders Federation’s (HBF) second quarterly SME Developer Sentiment Survey, in partnership with Quantum Development Finance (QDF), shows expectations
Buyers will pay on average 1.6% more for a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated A or B compared to a D-rated home, new research reveals. Nationwide’s analysis of the latest English Housing
New-build buyers are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) when making purchasing decisions, a conveyancing firm has warned. Buyers are increasingly using AI tools to review legal reports, generate additional enquiries and seek reassurance before
Climate risk has moved from a growing concern to a core property transaction issue, according to new market research from Landmark Information Group. The report, Climate Change in the property sector 2026: Turning insight into
Nationwide’s June House Price Index (HPI) reveals a slight rise in house prices, but wide regional variations in growth and demand persist. Annual house price growth picked up slightly to 2.2% in June, from 1.7%
Home buyers have little tolerance for poor communication during the conveyancing process, new research from Lyons Bowe solicitors shows. Three quarters of respondents (75%) to a survey commissioned by the firm said they expect a
Generation Z fear the “hidden cost” of home buying while Millennials are more worried about repairs, a new survey suggests. Research conducted by the Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) suggests first time buyer concerns shift significantly
The latest consumer price inflation figures and house prices index from the Office for National Statistics reveal the CPI remained unchanged at 2.8% in May while the average UK HPI annual inflation was 3.8% in
New research reveals that across every form of contact, law firms scored themselves significantly higher for customer service than customers did. A survey of 200 law firms and 5,000 consumers discovered the gap between business
The British Geological Survey (BGS) estimates up to 4.2 million homes in Britain could be affected by climate-related subsidence by 2070. BGS projections suggest the number of British properties susceptible to clay shrink-swell is around
Half of women working in legal services say their current working pattern is unsustainable for their long-term health. A majority (67%) of women lawyers have considered moving jobs or taking a career break due to
Fewer than 2% of homes for sale in the UK are available with buyer support schemes, new research reveals. Analysis from London estate agent Benham and Reeves shows there are currently only 11,036 of homes
Proptech firms and software developers have participated in a series of hackathons to test how property data can be shared during the home-moving process. The hackathons, hosted by The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) and
The former CEO of National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), who “fought tirelessly” for better recognition of paralegals in the UK, has announced she is retiring. Amanda Hamilton (pictured), who is credited with transforming the
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a survey about LGBTQ+ solicitors’ experiences five years after it first launched its Pride in the Law initiative. The Pride in the Law 2026 survey will
The chief executive officer at Legal Marketing Services (LMS) has announced he is stepping down. Nick Chadbourne has held the role for a decade having joined LMS in 2016. Chief operating officer Ian Robinson, who
A district judge in Truro County Court has decided that two lease forfeiture claims currently being case managed and listed together will be heard in the High Court. Simon Dinnage & Anor v SMCFO Holdings
Housing transactions are looking “broadly similar” to last year, according to the latest TwentyCi Property and Homemover report. Overall, the number of transactions is down almost 4% compared with last year, but the number of
The government has announced proposed reforms to its Right to Buy scheme to make it harder for council tenants to purchase their homes. The Social Housing Bill, which returned to Parliament this week for its
Breast Cancer Now’s annual Tour de Law charity race is now open for registration. The event will see barristers and solicitors from across the UK participate and compete in a virtual charity cycling event over