Stamp Duty Land Tax: Unintended consequences for leaseholders?

On the wish list of a number of my clients for this year’s Autumn Statement was the reform of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rules introduced in April 2016. A broadsheet newspaper’s campaign to scrap the three percent surcharge applicable to anyone buying a second property clearly fell on deaf ears, with the Chancellor remaining […]
Chambers Solicitors, Bradford – Freezing Injunction

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has obtained a freezing injunction from the High Court as a result of concerns that money due to Chambers Solicitors, formerly of 37 Grattan Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 2LU, is being diverted to other law firms who may not be entitled to the money. This follows the SRA announcement […]
Terrafirma highlights the risk to properties from mining hazards

Specialist provider adds Con29M-compliant coal mining report to the TerraSearch® suite, offering greater protection to property owners
New Welsh powers for stamp duty and income tax

Under a new fiscal framework, the Welsh Government has been granted powers which will allow it to control various taxes from 2018-19.
Problems with misrepresentation

The basic cause of action for an incorrect reply to one of the questions on the Property Information Form is an action for misrepresentation. A misrepresentation is an untrue statement made by one contracting party which is relied upon by the other, which induces him/her to enter into the contract, and as a result of […]
Legal Services Board, not Ministry of Justice, needs to act to secure independent regulation

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has reacted to the release today of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) Market Study on the legal sector.
Stamp duty impact on high-end homes

In the last six months following the second home stamp duty increase, the revenue accumulated from the tax has fallen by £500 million, according to recent research. The report from London Central Portfolio (LCP) analysed figures from the previous 12 months and summarised the key findings: Sales above £10 million fell by 75% – this […]
Stand and deliver

As the Government comes under increasing pressure to meet housing targets, compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) are gaining favour as a means of allowing a public body to take a property by right where it is needed as a matter of public interest. In its sixth report “Removing the Barriers to Housing Delivery”, published in March […]
Are you complying with the SRA/CLC/Cilex Code of Conduct?

For many busy conveyancers, it can be a constant juggling act staying on top of your caseload, keeping your clients happy and ensuring compliance with the obligations of your regulators Code of Conduct. From your professional performance and due diligence procedures to maintaining a suitable training programme for your firm’s employees, it is essential that […]
VAT applied to CON29 council searches – time to reconsider?

Due to recent changes introduced by HMRC, the search industry has been advised that Local Authorities will be required to apply VAT, at its current 20% rate, to CON29 fees from 3 January 2017. Ipsos MORI Local Land Charges Survey Highlights Personal Search Quality Interestingly, recent research – ‘Local Land Charges Survey’ conducted by Ipsos […]
VAT on CON29 searches confirmed

Following our announcement last week, Today’s Conveyancer has now received confirmation directly from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that VAT will be applied on CON29 searches. The HMRC spokesperson said: “The provision of information by local authorities using the CON29 process will be subject to VAT. Final details are being discussed with them. This change will […]
20% increase on Local Authority CON29 fees from January 2017

VAT on Local Authority CON29 fees will be introduced on 1st January 2017
“5p Carrier Bag” initiative could revolutionise sustainable development

When the charge for single-use plastic carrier bags was introduced in England on 5th October 2015, Tesco reported a 78% drop in number of single-use carrier bags taken from its stores in England in the first month. According to a panel of environmental experts, if the government are to meet their targets for Sustainable Planning […]
New certificate required for First Registration Applications

Last November, The Land Registry made allowances for conveyancer’s to lodge certified copies of deeds and documents when lodging a first registration application (Form FR1). Until recently conveyancers could only lodge original deeds and documents with the form FR1. From 28th November conveyancers now have a choice of sending original deeds and documents or sending […]
Conveyancing Association conference discusses template for future conveyancing process

Following discussions at its ‘Modernising Conveyancing’ Conference, the Conveyancing Association, the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today (6th December 2016) announced it will set out a template for the future, and produce a list of actions all designed to improve the overall conveyancing process. The Conference was held on the 1st December […]
Builders should be advised accordingly

Home buyers from Taylor Wimpey have allegedly been failed by their conveyancing solicitors and are contemplating taking action, according to Leasehold Solutions. This is in regards to a failure of informing house buyers about the housebuilder’s policy to include 10-year doubling ground rents on leasehold properties which are newly-built. Commenting on the anger of some […]
Stamp duty reform leads London’s top property prices to fall

Heavily impacted by George Osborne’s stamp duty (SDLT) reforms, prices at the top of the London property market have fallen, with west London locations such as Notting Hill and Kensington seeing the biggest drops in price, according to the Stirling Ackroyd Hubs Tracker data. The top 25% of London’s property prices have fallen by -5.4% […]
Don’t doubt value of money laundering prevention

Due to conveyancing transactions usually being of high value as well as their ability to take place without raising suspicion, they are a favoured method of laundering money. The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) have estimated that up to £57 billion is laundered within the UK on a yearly basis. The firms who deal with these […]
Original documents no longer needed for first registration lodgements

Conveyancers can now lodge first registration applications without the need for original deeds and documents being sent, from this week (28th November 2016).
Swansea legal firm eyes expansion following successful year of trading

A Swansea-based property law firm has revealed ambitious plans to double its headcount and turnover within the next three years, following a strong year of business growth. Dezrezlegal, which has grown its workforce by 10 per cent over the past year and now has 35 members of staff, is now looking to increase its profit […]