Land Registry figures show strong start to year
The Land Registry has released figures for those organisations that hold accounts with them, showing their activity for February 2013. Information relating to applications for transfers for value (i.e. an approximation of purchase activity) shows a substantial year on year increase in the number of applications. In February 2012, 51101 applications were made for transfers […]
Internal staff fraud continues to rise
The UK Fraud Prevention Service (CIFAS) have released a report detailing the reasons behind a 43% increase in staff fraud. CIFAS pointed to the economic and employment challenges facing many in the UK as catalysts for a 22% increase in dishonest actions by staff to obtain benefit. This included cash being stolen from customers, up […]
Industrial action affecting Land Registry this afternoon
The Land Registry has confirmed there is planned industrial action by PCS union across the Civil Service on the afternoon of 5 April 2013. They are endeavouring to ensure that any possible disruption is kept to a minimum. Online services, Business e-services and Find a property, will be available as usual.
Insurance broker Willis acquires PI broker
Willis Group Holdings Plc, the global risk adviser and insurance broker, has announced an agreement to acquire leaking UK based professional indemnity insurance broker PPH Limited and its subsidiary Prime Professions Limited (together referred to as Prime Professions). Prime Professions is one of the leading specialist brokers in the field of professional indemnity insurance. The […]
Warning signs ahead for home buyers
Getting planning permission has just got a whole lot easier for Britain’s house builders. And that spells extra danger for your property-buying clients. Under the government’s National Planning Policy Framework introduced 12 months ago, local authorities had until this month to come up with their local development plans. Just 7% have done so. That leaves […]
Firm offers fixed price buyer protection
A firm is offering a Home Buyers’ Protection, for £79.50, which will help protect home buyers from the financial worry of their house sale falling through. Nearly a third of house sales fall through for a number of reasons. Policy-holders will have their expenses covered if; – The property is withdrawn from sale – They […]
Code of Practice launched for Japanese Knotweed
The Property Care Association (PCA) has developed a best practice framework for the control and eradication of Japanese Knotweed. The PCA developed the framework in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Building Societies Association and several Japanese Knotweed control companies that operate in the […]
Mortgage lending by mutuals continues to grow
Mutuals approved a total of 24,295 loans in February, up 16% from the 21,020 in February 2012 and up from the 20,979 loans approved in January. Gross mortgage lending by building societies and other mutual lenders was £2.5 billion in February, up by 29% compared to the same month last year. Lending by mutuals increased […]
BCL Legal to Sponsor The Law Firm Services Conveyancing Awards and Conference 2013
BCL Legal is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the 2013 LFS Conveyancing Awards and Conference which will be taking place at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 26th September. The conference — which is in its fifth year — will bring together the cream of the UK’s conveyancing sector and will focus on how […]
RICS warns on importance of surveys
Research has shown nearly a third of home buyers fail to commission a survey and of those a fifth end up with homes they would not have bought had they been aware of its true condition. According to RICS data released today, homeowners who did not take out a home survey are left with an […]
Lloyds to rebrand 632 branches
Regardless of whether the deal to sell Lloyds branches to the Co-operative Bank goes ahead, Lloyds will rebrand 632 branches under the TSB name. The deal has hit problems regarding whether the amount of capital the Co-operative plans to set aside for the new operation will satisfy regulators. The deal is looking increasingly shaky, and […]
Legal Eye Ltd appoints new director
Legal Eye Ltd is proud to announce the appointment of Priya Anand Patel as a Director. Priya joined Jaunita, the founder of Legal Eye in January 2012. Together they have expanded the Legal Eye team with more firms signing up to compliance packages and support across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We have […]
New forum aims to revive the high street
The Future High Streets Forum was launched last week in order to build on the foundations of Mary Portas’s High Street Review. The group will bring together civic and business leaders from a range of sectors. Local Growth Minister Mark Prisk announced a £1 million package of mentoring and support for town teams across the […]
New director for myhomemove
Adrian Whittaker is to join myhomemove as Corporate Sales Director. Mr Whittaker is well recognised in the industry having headed up corporate relationships at Santander and Lloyds Banking Group. Dev Malle, Group Sales Director at myhomemove said: “We know Adrian had several options available to him and it is a testimony to the strength of […]
Santander await solicitor CQS applications pre panel removals
Santander and the Law Society have indicated today that some solicitor conveyancers who are waiting for the CQS applications to be approved will not be removed from the Santander conveyancing panel on the 31st March deadline previously set. If your firm is a solicitors practice and has not applied or are accredited for the Law […]
Santander await solicitor CQS applications pre panel removals
Santander and the Law Society have indicated today that some solicitor conveyancers who are waiting for the CQS applications to be approved will not be removed from the Santander conveyancing panel on the 31st March deadline previously set. If your firm is a solicitors practice and has not applied or are accredited for the Law […]
Law Society seek new members for Conveyancing and Land Law committee
The Law Society is currently recruiting for new members to join their Conveyancing and Land Law committee. They advise that applicants should have an active interest in law reform and an understanding of practical issues relevant to the profession. The Law Society is particularly keen to ensure that a member for Wales is appointed to […]
Joint representation still “best value” for England and Wales
The Law Society of Scotland last week voted in favour of separate representations but this week their England and Wales counterparts have taken quite a different view on the issue. Jonathan Smithers, chair of the Law Society’s conveyancing and land law committee said: "The regulatory environment and market conditions are very different in Scotland. “The […]
FSA and Bank of England relax barriers for new banks
It is set to become much easier for new banks to enter the market following a review into the barriers to entry new banks face. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Bank of England have set out significant changes to regulatory requirements. Some of these changes have already been implemented and the remainder will […]
Land Registry trial longer e-services opening times
From 2 April the Land Registry will trial extending their service hours as part of a three month trial. Services are normally available from 6:30am until 10pm from Monday to Friday and up to 5pm on Saturdays. As part of the trail business customers will be able to access portal and Business Gateway from 6:30am […]