The daily grind (Conveyancer Slater – Tweet of the Week)
With tensions mounting from delays, unforseen issues and many parties to rely on in conveyancing, it’s no wonder clients as well as conveyancers feel the strain. This week’s Slater makes their growing frustrations very clear – but what’s it like for the professional? Share your troublsome stories and anecdotes in the comment section below. […]
Andrew Stenning, Managing Director of Searches UK, has been shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year
Searches UK are delighted to announce that their Managing Director, Andrew Stenning, has qualified as a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in the Sussex Business Awards. Taking place on Thursday 3rd December 2015, the awards ceremony will be held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton to celebrate excellence across Sussex and will be hosted […]
Highest October house purchase lending for seven years
October 2015 sees 72,409 house purchase approvals, the highest figure for the month in seven years and up 21.9% from October 2014 House purchase approval levels continue to grow, setting a new 22 month record high since January 2014 Small deposit lending falters slightly from September to 11,947, but records new post-recession October high October […]
What’s all the fuss about?
Be prepared for the biggest changes to business insurance law in generations When the Insurance Act 2015 (the Act) comes into force on 12th August 2016, the much anticipated reforms to business insurance law in the UK will be upon us. The changes will impact policyholders, brokers and insurers alike, in the most significant shake-up […]
Importance of planning searches for conveyancers hits home with the latest new build figures
With new figures released today by Department for Communities and Local Government revealing that the number of new homes has risen by 25% over the past year, conveyancing search provider, SearchFlow stresses the importance of conveyancers carrying out planning searches. Greg Bryce, Managing Director of SearchFlow, comments: “These record figures, revealing the highest annual increase in […]
Fastest annual rise in house prices for six months
The latest Your Move Reeds Rains England & Wales House Price Index has been published for October 2015 and has revealed: The annual rate of house price growth across England and Wales climbs to 5.2%, the fastest increase witnessed since April Average property prices jump £2,500 in October – equal to £80 a day – […]
The devil’s in the detail
With fraud becoming an ever more common occurrence in the legal sector, every firm should have robust procedures in place The UK’s fraud prevention service, Cifas, recently reported that recorded fraud increased by 25% last year andthat the legal sector has become a particularly attractive target for fraudsters. From the postman who steams open invoices […]
Conveyancing Association to hold inaugural Conference in partnership with Modern Law
The major issues facing conveyancers will be discussed at the inaugural Conveyancing Association Conference to be held on 3rd December at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea F.C. The conference will draw upon a wealth of conveyancing expertise to offer delegates practical help and guidance from leading experts, in tackling some of the most challenging issues facing the […]
Role of 95% LTV mortgages almost doubles under ‘Help to Buy 2’
95% loan-to-value (LTV) loans made up £3.43 of every £100 of mortgage lending since the Government’s guarantee scheme launched, up from £1.77 in the previous 18 months First time buyer lending grew by almost a third during the first half of ‘Help to Buy 2’ However first time buyer and 95% LTV lending activity fell […]
Gerry Fitzjohn appointed Board Chairman of The Property Ombudsman
After thirteen successful years with The Property Ombudsman (TPO), twelve years as Board Chairman of TPO, Bill McClintock will be officially standing down on 1st January 2016, and Gerry Fitzjohn, currently Vice Chairman of the Board, has been appointed to take up the position. Bill, who has over 50 years’ experience in estate agency, joined […]
Stay aware of flood risk this winter
Today’s breaking news once again brings the threat of flood to the forefront of concerns for home-owners this winter, as reports suggest that the UK is set to face a winter that will rival the major storms of 2013, with the Met Office’s warning of an expected foot and a half of rain over the […]
What you need to know about first registrations
Land Registry, from 7th September 2015, has changed the documents required to be delivered when a customer applies for first registration. Land or property must be registered for the first time if it is unregistered when a person takes ownership or mortgages it. Land Registry has sought to bring the requirements for first applications nearer […]
SRA championing innovation in the legal sector
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has today (9th November) unveiled a new initiative to support legal services firms that want to innovate and grow their business in creative ways. ‘SRA Innovate‘ provides online guidance and support to solicitors and law firms who are looking at new ways to serve their clients and run their businesses. […]
Good things come to those who wait
Dr Jan Peters, from the Department of Systems Neuroscience at the University Medical Centre in Hamburg, said: “Humans normally prefer larger over smaller rewards, but this situation can change when the larger rewards are associated with delays. Although there is no doubt that humans discount the value of rewards over time, in general, individuals exhibit […]
SearchFlow appoints a new Head of Development
Conveyancing Search Provider, SearchFlow, which is part of dmgi::land&property, has appointed Andrew Stevens as Head of Development. Having previously worked as Head of Development at Landmark Information Group and Head of R&D at Sage UK, Andrew is highly experienced in developing, building and leading products across multiple R&D areas in the UK and Europe. With […]
InfoTrack announce new integration with LEAP to aid conveyancing efficiencies
LEAP and InfoTrack have announced an integration partnership. Solicitors using LEAP’s case management software (CMS) are now able to seamlessly carry out Land Registry Searches, Conveyancing Searches, SDLT Submissions and AP1 Transfers all within the one system via the InfoTrack system. LEAP, lead event sponsor of the recent LawBizTech technology and educational conference, provides their […]
Land Registry LLC National Conference 2015
Land Registry held the first Local Land Charges (LLC) National Conference this week on Wednesday 4th November at the Albert Hall Conference Centre in Nottingham. The purpose of the day was to ensure the local authority and private search company delegates were provided with information on how Land Registry are intending to work with the […]
SLC/BLG Conference Availability Limited
Record attendance once again but still time to book With under two weeks to go to the Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC)/ Bold Legal Group (BLG) Conference in Derby, it is not too late to book a place. The conference is unique in that it is organised by conveyancers for conveyancers and the agenda has […]
Is there a hole in your due diligence checks for homebuyers?
Sinkholes are an ever present issue, and an area of risk that solicitors and conveyancers should be highlighting to their home-buying clients. Last month another large sinkhole emerged in a residential cul-de-sac in St Albans. The 12 metre diameter hole, which was 10 metres deep, woke residents in the middle of the night and ruined […]
House prices rising faster than ever after an 8 month slowdown
Pace of annual house price growth has risen for the past two months; up from 5.2% to 5.5% in the last month Smaller homes prices are rising faster than ever – all because of head to head competition between first-time buyers and buy-to-let investors London is the hotspot this month; up 1.8% in the past […]