Introducing Japanese Knotweed Detection Dogs
In these unprecedented times, we’ve all been finding different ways in which we can work, and complete the day to day tasks we would usually complete. Environet UK have revealed that they’ve trained two dogs, Mick and Mack to detect the Japanese knotweed rhizome present in a garden or development. The dogs can ‘sniff out’ […]
Housing market to re-open for business
It is anticipated that Housing Minister Robert Jenrick will tomorrow (13/05/2020) announce the re-opening of the property market in some capacity. Amendments to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 published this evening indicate the government’s position on the resumption of buying, selling and letting of property: (iv) in sub-paragraph (f), omit the words […]
Pickfords Fully Operational Following Government Advice
There are indications that removers Pickfords are open for business once again. Following the amended social distancing and working guidelines from the government on Sunday which stated that if you cannot work from home you should be encouraged to return to work, Pickfords have resumed their full packing service which was suspended on March 24 […]
BREAKING NEWS: Furlough Extended Until October
The Government has just announced an extension of the furlough scheme to October with no changes before end of July. Details of changes after that will be provided by the end of May but are likely to require an employer contribution. The Chancellor confirmed employees will continue to receive at least 80% of salaries and […]
Return To Work Guidance Expected This Week
Despite reports highlighting the post-lockdown social distancing measures for estate agents being leaked last week, the government’s 50 page document detailing the phases of lockdown relaxations and subsequent return to work guidance omitted the property sector. Whilst this means property stakeholders are placed in the non-essential set of businesses which could be permitted to return […]
Diary Of A High Street Conveyancer – 11th May
Monday I thought it would be busy with telephone calls asking me about the Prime Minister’s statement last night. But it was quieter than ever and I had to phone myself to check if the phone was working – the same as you do when you are a teenager, waiting on a call! More guidance […]
Covid-19 Pandemic Could Lead To Money Laundering Risks
Last week, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), published a report on the COVID-19 related money laundering and terrorist financing risks and policy responses. The report found that there was an increase in Covid-19 related crimes which include fraud, cyber crime, misdirection or exploitation of Government funds or international financial assistance. Covid-19 has impacted the […]
Search Activity Continues Recovery Last Week
Activity levels in the mortgage industry continued their slow recovery last week despite a well deserved and incredibly popular VE Day bank holiday. If Friday’s bank holiday was discounted from the weekly totals, searches for mortgages had increased by 8.42 per cent and remortgage searches increased by 6.96 per cent up to Thursday May 8 […]
Tom Backhouse Appointed CoPSO Director
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), the major trade association for the property search industry, has appointed Tom Backhouse, CEO of Terrafirma as a new Board Member and Director. Tom is an award-winning geologist and entrepreneur, who founded and has successfully grown Terrafirma into an innovative and market-leading company. Terrafirma, which is based in […]
Diary Of A Highstreet Conveyancer – 7th -10th May
Thursday It was almost like the old days today. The day before a Bank Holiday and I had three completions (YAY!!) One was the sale of an empty property, the second was the purchase of an empty flat, and the third was the purchase of an empty house – or so I thought. When I […]
Construction Released From Lockdown But Sector Remains Concerned
Boris Johnson’s Sunday ‘exit phase’ announcement has insisted that those who are unable to work from home should be actively encouraged to return to their places of work from Wednesday. In the majority, this will mean factories and construction sites are the first wave of businesses being told to reopen using ‘new normal’ operating processes. […]
New Returning To Work Support Package
A new support package from Legal Eye With the Prime Minister set to announce on Sunday how the Government intends to unlock the UK economy over the coming months, Legal Eye have prepared a returning to the workplace support package to give you some useful guidance to consider on how to restart your firm in […]
Returning To Work – Planning For The Big ‘Back To Office’ Transition
By Paul Saunders, MD of Legal Eye We are existing in a time where the property market is probably the most challenged in living memory. However, developments over recent days may indicate that lenders, developers and property professionals are doing their part to rebuild and kickstart the market. Nationwide recently increased its mortgage lending loan-to-value […]
Furloughed Staff Mortgage Applications And The Post-Lockdown Mortgage Environment
Boris Johnson is poised to release UK businesses and reopen a frozen economy from next week which bodes well for a pent up property market with more than 372,000 sales at various stages of the home buying and selling pipeline. For the quarter of the population placed on the Government’s furlough Staff Retention Scheme in […]
Leading Home Moving & Mortgage Businesses Set Out Blueprint For Housing Market Recovery
Three leading organisations in the home moving process have presented their four-step plan to government on how to kickstart the housing market. Landmark Information Group, Mortgage Advice Bureau and Simplify – who each provide different critical services to home buyers and sellers – have together written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and […]
Insight In To Buyer and Seller Mind Set
With rumours that lock down measure are set to ease next week, property agent Savills have released their Residential Marketing survey, in an attempt to give the sector an insight into the minds of buyers and sellers. Contacting almost 700 respondents, between the 21st and 27th April 2020, the property agent wanted to find out […]
Construction Output Hits Near Standstill In April
Construction output in the UK has declined at its fastest rate in over 23 years. IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index has plummeted to 8.2 in April from only 39.3 in March. Any number with an index rating over 50 represents a growing industry so such a low figure is a cause for concern. […]
SME Law Firms: Embracing New Working Practices Under A Pandemic
By John Espley, Chief Executive Officer, LEAP Legal Software UK. Through acknowledging the challenges that law firms currently face in the COVID-19 crisis, this article discusses how leaders of SME law firms can maintain productivity, use the downturn to improve their business, embrace digital change and recognise new opportunities as we emerge into the new […]
Hoowla Recognised As A Wales Tech 50 Innovator
BusinessCloud’s inaugural list celebrates Wales’ most innovative technology and software companies. Hoowla has been recognised with a national innovation award run by tech publication BusinessCloud. The inaugural Wales Tech 50 celebrates the country’s most innovative technology creators. The ranking process attracted more than 1,300 votes from BusinessCloud’s readership and a combination of reader votes and […]
Covid-19 Cash Flow Issues Impacting Legal Sector
During these uncertain times, the worry about how the UK economy will cope and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic has been talked about by many. Whilst firms are attempting to consolidate their cash flows and ensure they can recover and hit the ground running when the UK comes out of lockdown, it seems it’s becoming […]