The challenges of new build
“We need to think more about the people waiting for the keys to their dream home.” The purchase of a new build property comes with different conveyancing challenges to the purchase of a used home and to help cater for this type of case, many firms now have a dedicated specialist or team to deal […]
Interview with Deputy CEO Ben Thompson of Mortgage Advice Bureau
“Stamp Duty needs a proper rethink, especially right now, and you can quote me on that” says Ben Thompson, Deputy CEO at Mortgage Advice Bureau, at the end of our discussion on the current state of the UK property market. In an interview with Today’s Conveyancer, Ben Thompson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Mortgage Advice […]
Property expert views on conveyancing transaction hold ups
Transactions already underway in the sector may not complete before the deadline due to hold ups and delays because of unprecedented pressures on the conveyancing industry – But who in the sector is causing the hold ups? There has been a big debate over transaction delays, more recently in the last few weeks, due to […]
Price Transparency; about as clear as mud
Following the SRA’s recent announcement that it is back on the case with pricing transparency Today’s Conveyancer caught up with pricing expert Nigel Haddon to talk about the do’s and don’ts of pricing, and what you need to know about the SRA’s Price Transparency regulations. The frustration from my point of view is the pricing […]
Fee changes to RX1
HM Land Registry have made changes to their current practice regarding fees where a form RX1 is required for a restriction. But when is a form RX1 required? A form RX1 is required when applying for: • a standard form restriction as a standalone application; • a standard form restriction when the application is not […]
Wishing everyone some downtime at Christmas
As we approach the Christmas period, we know from speaking to so many of you the pressure you are currently under. The hours you are putting in (yes we see the searches coming in at midnight and over the weekend and can only hope this is flexible working!), the expectations and insistence of clients to […]
New partnership to streamline indemnity process
CLS Property Insight (CLS PI) and Redbrick Solutions are joining forces to deliver an integrated service providing legal indemnity insurance products to the conveyancing market. Redbrick Solutions and CLS PI are committed to making an inspiring and positive impact on the property industry by working proactively to improve the conveyancing process and to formulate and […]
Take part in Lawcare’s ground-breaking research study
Legal mental health charity, Lawcare is urging legal professionals to join over 1,350 fellow colleagues to make their voice heard and tell their story in a ground-breaking research study. Only four weeks to go until the deadline of 31st December, LawCare is urging legal professionals to take part in their study ‘Life in the Law’ […]
How are lenders resourcing up for the current mortgage volumes?
The end of the first lockdown saw a surge in home buying and demand for mortgages. With most staff in lending firms working from home, apart from the branches, lenders have been working hard to keep up with the volume of business. Lenders have been busy recruiting, training, offering overtime to staff and utilising technology […]
Couple lose life savings in housing transaction horror
In an article recently published by the Financial Reporter, it outlined the shocking reality which resulted in one couple losing their life savings, as their housing chain collapsed as a result of a mortgage broker withdrawing their offer. Abdus Saboor and his wife are faced with a bill of at least £33,000 plus ‘damages’ after their […]
Huge house moving delays could leave thousands having to pay stamp duty
Thousands of homebuyers could unwittingly have to pay up to £15,000 when the stamp duty holiday ends because of huge delays in the conveyancing process, a lawyer has warned. The Chancellor’s stamp duty holiday – where house buyers are exempt from paying the property tax on the first £500,000 – is due to end on […]
Recent data study reveals realities of property log-jam
A study into residential conveyancing transaction data has found the gap between new property instructions and completions is continuing to grow, creating further concerns for an already pressurised market as the Stamp Duty holiday deadline in March 2021 approaches. Ochresoft, the legal workflow software specialist for property and private client lawyers, has revealed that the […]
Client communication is key to success
Good client communication is key to a law firm’s success. Better communication leads to stronger client experiences, increased positive reviews, and more potential referrals. Your clients may be weighing the pros and cons of doing business with you, so you’ll want to make yourself indispensable and now, more than ever, technology plays an increasingly important […]
Conveyancing Association launches revised Cyberfraud & Fraud Protocol
The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has launched a revised fifth version of its Cyberfraud and Fraud Protocol which provides conveyancing firms with practical information on how criminals operate and the measures they, and their staff, can take to avoid being victims of fraud and cyber-crime. Since the original […]
Sort Legal becomes a training provider for new conveyancers
Sort Legal are delighted to announce they are now authorised by the SRA (Solicitors Regulations Authority) as a training provider to help train new solicitors as part of their plans for future growth. Continuously seeing growth since 2016, the firm celebrated the opening of their second branch in Cardiff earlier this year (2020). Whilst seeing […]
Conveyancing industry voices their concerns over lack of SDLT extension
There was widespread disappointment across the property industry last week following the Chancellor’s spending review which omitted an extension to the current stamp duty holiday. Conveyancers, estate agents, surveyors and property sector bodies were hoping that the Chancellor would extend or at least taper the deadline beyond 31st March to avoid homebuyers going off a […]
Conveyancing Training Academy experiences phenomenal growth
The Conveyancing industry is currently experiencing exponential growth, with Indeed reporting a 130% growth (over 900 roles), in the conveyancing sector since July. With a reported 21% increase in residential transactions during September compared to August and the continuous rise in demand in the property market in England and Wales, a lack of qualified conveyancers […]
Conveyancers confronting Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is the most invasive plant in the UK and due to the legal framework in place to protect homebuyers, it is a problem that conveyancers are often required to confront. The risks the plant presents both directly to property and to transactions is well documented, but what recent developments does every conveyancer need […]
Why AI could hold the key to revolutionising legal work on UK property transactions
This year has shown us that more than ever technology is an essential part of how we work. Integrating transformative technologies such as AI and machine learning should be front of mind if we are to build on the progress made to date around streamlining and improving efficiencies in vital legal real estate processes. We […]
Conveyancers to be ‘more’ vigilant states 2020-21 SRA Risk Outlook
The latest Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Risk Outlook 2020-21 gives a stark reminder to the conveyancing industry that they are most at risk to be targeted by money launderers. It states that conveyancers and the firms they work for need to be more alert as they are currently at ‘further risk’ of being used to […]