Groundsure Acquires Mining Searches UK
Groundsure, the leading environmental search specialist providing market leading property search solutions to the UK conveyancing market, has today announced the acquisition of Mining Searches UK, the country’s leading specialist in historical mining risk. The combined business will have a compelling and broad product set, with geo-environmental experts and geospatial data scientists providing advice and […]
Government Crackdown on Rogue Landlords
The Government has pledged millions of pounds to help local councils crack down on criminal landlords and letting agents. Over 100 councils will share £4 million to put towards enforcement action against rogue landlords and providing advice to tenants in regard to their housing rights. The action will work alongside the government’s pledges in creating a fairer […]
Will Conveyancers Embrace Electronic Verification Following 5AMLD?
Is your law firm ready for the Fifth EU Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) which comes into force at the end of this week (Friday 10th January)? The regulations are an update on the Money Laundering Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 and now scrutinises the digital world more closely […]
GlobalX Appoints Two New Operations Managers
GlobalX has added to their senior management team with the appointment of two new operations managers responsible for their Cardiff and London offices. Jason Perrier, who joined them before Christmas, will take on the responsibility for their London operations while Alyson Jones was promoted to the role of Operations Manager in Cardiff. Jason formerly worked […]
New Government Plans To Boost Housing – How Can Conveyancers Protect Their Clients?
The election is over, and the Conservatives won a decisive victory. While Brexit took much of the attention during the campaign, the Conservatives made a number of bold promises in their manifesto; one of which was to, “deliver at least another million homes in the next five years, making further progress towards the target of […]
Brexit Reduced Concern For Conveyancers In 2020
Stakeholders in the property sector perceive reservation agreements, the fifth anti-money laundering directive (5AMLD), Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) changes, technology and ground rents/leases/service charges as the main challenges to the sector this year. According to a survey conducted by the Bold Legal Group, respondents from the 700 strong association of law firms were focused on […]
FTBs Exceed Pre-Financial Crash Levels
First-time buyer (FTB) figures reached their highest levels since 2007 in 2019. According to data obtained from the Yorkshire Building Society (YBS), the 353,436 FTB homeowners in 2019 marginally exceeded the pre financial crash levels of 353,130 buyers in 2007. The statistics also suggest that buyer activity amongst FTBs is consistently at pre-crash levels with […]
How Digital Marketing Can Expand Your Business
Today’s world is completely digital, making it an exciting time for digital marketing specifically. It offers more freedom for companies and is an easier way to communicate with customers and other businesses. Compare My Move has grown exponentially through digital marketing and, as expected, we’re not alone. However, it’s not enough to simply have your […]
Anti-Money Laundering Client Due Diligence – A Practical Session
Effective client due diligence is key to the fight against fraud and money laundering. This practical, scenario based session allows staff to develop their understanding of why we run client due diligence checks, what we are looking for, and how this meets firm obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. In this session, participants will […]
Homelessness Prevention Promised £260 Million
The new decade will open with the Government offering increased help to support the growing issue of homelessness. Over £260 million has been promised to local authorities to boost homelessness services. The funding will enable local councils to employ specialists to provide advice and support to vulnerable people living on the streets, sofa surfing or […]
Technology Vital To Smooth Section 21 Changes
Despite calls for the Government to reconsider its decision to scrap Section 21 ‘no fault evictions’, the Queen’s speech, following the general election, solidified the desire to push ahead with the contentious legislative change. Experts fear that court reform and changes to Section 8 will result in inevitable teething problems to the detriment of landlords. […]
Buy To Let Investment Attractive To Millennials
The majority of millennials still believe the buy-to-let sector offers a worthwhile investment opportunity despite recent legislative changes. 83% of potential younger investors still feel that buying a second home is a wise investment, according to a survey carried out by Perrys Chartered Accountants. However, for many, the changes to stamp duty rates on additional […]
Groundsure Announces New Sponsorship With Women In Residential Property
Groundsure is delighted to announce it is one of the official sponsors for all Women In Residential Property events in 2020. Women in Residential Property (WIRP) hosts regular events for women who work throughout the residential property sector. It provides an informal environment for networking and sharing knowledge, with the aim of encouraging collaboration across […]
Experts Undecided On Property Sector In 2020
2019 was undoubtedly difficult for many stakeholders in the property sector. Construction started to decline, sellers were deterred from placing their properties on the market and property growth was stifled to less than 1%. However, the general election and a definitive Brexit outcome helped end the year with more clarity over the UK’s future. Despite […]
How To Charge What You’re Worth And Get It
Christmas is over for yet another year. However, for those who genuinely aspire to become a better version of themselves, the New Year heralds a wonderful opportunity to leave the past well and truly behind. It’s a time to embrace new beginnings. So what better time to review the often challenging subject of charging what […]
Joint Forces Team Up To Tackle Damp
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland and Cadw have joined with The Property Care Association (PCA) to develop a best practice approach to investigating damp and excessive moisture in traditional properties. The group have begun to produce a working document entitled ‘Investigation of moisture and its effects in traditional buildings‘, […]
2020: Today’s Conveyancer Panel Predicitions
Whilst the majority are looking to polish off the last of the annual festive indulgences we are able to get away with at this time of year, many will be reflecting on 2019 before speculating about the changes set to take place in the decade ahead. The conveyancing sector has adapted to a multitude of change throughout […]
Home Transactions Strong In Final Quarter
The final quarter of the year is statistically the busiest time for home completions. According to a 5-year analysis of Land Registry data, by Housesimple, and average of 241,113 transactions complete between October and December. As people prepare to be in their home for the festive period, October remains the most hectic time with an […]
Mortgage ‘Prisoners’ Launch Legal Bid
On the 18th December it was announced that Harcus Parker had begun legal proceedings on behalf of current and former Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley mortgage holders. The firm has previously acted in high-profile disputes, such as shareholder action against Lloyds Banking group in relation to a claim brought by over 200,000 ‘mortgage prisoners’. The proceedings being brought are […]
Experts Discuss 2019: Price Transparency, AML, Oh And Brexit
Legal service professionals entered 2019 having adapted to price and service transparency regulatory change. It seemed as though the sector spent huge amounts of time and effort transforming digital communication methods in order to comply with the regulations. In 2019, this issue is still a talking point with a fifth of Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) firms […]