Movers and Shakers – 29 May 2020
Here at Today’s Conveyancer, we wanted to share with you the good news we’ve had within in the industry of professionals joining firms and those who have moved up the promotional ladder. This week we’ve seen the following announcements with regards to appointments and promotions: Alan Rubenstein – has been appointed the NHBC Chair Natalie […]
Evalaution Of Post-Crisis Regulatory Changes Could Help Post-Covid Recovery
New research suggests that post-financial crisis regulatory changes have severely restricted many first-time buyers from climbing on to the property ladder over the past decade. According to the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association’s (IMLA) ‘First-time buyers: is the growth sustainable’ report, the government should look to ease many of these restrictions to help more first-time buyers […]
Further Ease On Lockdown Measures Announced
Tonight, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that the Government’s Five Tests regarding the corona virus have been met, meaning that some more lockdown measures have been lifted. The announcement today enables a group of 6 people in England to meet in gardens and other private outdoor spaces from Monday 1st June. Social distancing is still […]
Has There Ever Been A Better Time To Start Up A Law Firm?
The thought of setting up a new law firm during a global pandemic may seem irrational, cavalier and high risk. However, in such a world-changing event, as with any global crisis, the winners will be those who adapt the quickest and realise the change rather than resist it. To paraphrase Charles Darwin, it is not […]
Is Now The Best Time To Release Equity From Your Home?
After over 20 years working in the equity release market I am more than conscious of the perception of equity release and the often propounded view that equity release is the “option of last resort”. Whilst I fully appreciate that equity release should never be considered as a first or only option for borrowers it […]
Chains Are Starting To Complete Once Again
Wednesday Today was particularly exciting – well in the world of a conveyancer it was! I had a chain complete! I have only had one chain complete during lockdown and I had forgotten the wait for that email from the buyers’ solicitor to say that the monies were on their way, checking the client account […]
Human Error Outweighs Cyber Security Threats
As the world begins to change, and we all start to adapt to life after lock down, there are probably lots of things people are starting to consider. Personal issues, such as sending children back to school and starting back at work are things that cross most people’s mind. Will the environment be safe enough […]
Alan Rubenstein Appointed NHBC Chair
The leading warranty and insurance provider for new build homes, the NHBC, has announced the appointment of Alan Rubenstein as new Chair. Currently serving on NHBC’s board as a nonexecutive director, Mr Rubenstein undertakes his new role with over thirty years’ experience in the insurance and investment banking sectors. Alan Rubenstein, incoming Chair of the […]
Diary Of A Highstreet Conveyancer – Tuesday May 26
Tuesday The joy of being a conveyancer is that no two days are the same. It does mean that we always have to be organised because you never know when that transaction which is moving along smoothly suddenly becomes the most difficult case at that time. And the transaction which you thought would be around for […]
Market Enjoys Busiest Day Since Lockdown
The property market enjoyed its busiest day yesterday since lockdown was introduced. Purchase mortgage search volume was 25 per cent higher yesterday than any other time since lockdown restrictions were introduced, according to Twenty7Tec mortgage data. Overall, mortgage search volume has increased by 11.89 per cent when compared with the same day last week, up […]
Today’s Conveyancer Sentiment Survey: Market Improving Slowly
The majority of conveyancing firms surveyed by Today’s Conveyancer last week believe the market has shrunk to below 50 per cent of what it was at this time last year. Today’s Conveyancer wants to understand the market sentiment each week to provide a clear view of the conveyancing sector. Click here to complete our latest […]
Ask An Expert: The Green Shoots Of Post-Lockdown Recovery
In our recent Ask an Expert series, Chris Harris interviews Rob McKellar, Head of Practice for Residential Conveyancing and Head of Strategic Growth for Consumer Legal Services at Slater & Gordon Lawyers. The pair discuss the reopening of the property market and the impact this is having on residential conveyancing. Slater & Gordon recently enjoyed […]
Take Care Now To Avoid Claims Later
Conveyancers must take particular care to follow Government and Law Society guidance in order to avoid the risk of claims, or even regulatory action brought by the SRA, once the pandemic is over. As a firm that regularly defends solicitors who are the subject of claims and disciplinary proceedings, we anticipate that the hazards of […]
RICS Update AML Guide As A Result Of Pandemic
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has announced it has updated it’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidelines as a result of the corona virus pandemic. With money laundering and other serious organised crime believing to cost the UK around £24 billion a year, it’s clear to see why regulations need to be tightened. The updated […]
New Homes Board Interim Chair Announced
It has been announced that Natalie Elphicke MP is to lead the New Homes Quality Board, acting as interim chair. The interim board, which is an independent body that has the responsibility for the quality of new build homes and consumer redress, met for the first time, and outlined it’s next steps. Guided by the principles […]
Compare My Move Reports Increase In Partners As Lockdown Eases
With the housing market officially open again in England, Compare My Move have reported an increase in both high-quality leads and new partners. The message from the government is that people in England can officially “move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process, from viewings to removals”. Our network of Conveyancing […]
Consumers Divided By Re-Opening Of The Property Market
A short survey conducted last week indicates that consumers are divided by the announcement to re-open the property market. The poll, conducted via Twitter by property journalist Louisa Fletcher, shows a 57%/43% split in favour of allowing estate agents into the home to conduct property viewings, suggesting that sentiment remains split. A third of overall […]
Joint Letter Urges Easing Of Furlough Requirements
A cross-industry group working within the property sector have written an open letter to the government imploring them to offer ‘greater flexibility’ in the furlough scheme. Currently, employers can only move their staff in and out of furlough every three weeks and the group believe this is overly restrictive and risky to businesses in the […]
Redbrick Insights Launched To Help Conveyancers Post Lockdown
Redbrick Solutions, the award winning conveyancing case management provider, has launched a new service to help conveyancing firms compete and succeed in a post lockdown world. ‘Redbrick Insights’ is a data driven intelligence service which provides analytics and reports on a range of key success based factors. The service is exclusively available to Redbrick clients. […]
Law Firms Must Continue To “Do The Basics” When It Comes To Security
Chief Information Officer at Lawyer Checker Jen Williams has shared some of her own experience of the impact of Covid-19 on her and the business. Speaking to Today’s Conveyancer she warns practitioners of the realities of fraudsters preying on the uncertainty and potential communications breakdowns within law firms. While there are increasingly sophisticated methodologies and […]