10% increase on equity release sales
SHIP, the trade body for equity release providers, released the market figures for the first quarter of 2012 last week. Total advances were up by 10 per cent, £199.1 million for total advances, compared to £181.6 million for Q1 of 2011. According to SHIP, traditionally there is a fall in the number of plans sold […]
Identity fraud rockets
CIFAS tells us that the “age of data-enabled fraud” has arrived. The first quarter of 2012 saw: – Overall fraud increased by 30 percent, compared to the same period in 2011. – Overall fraud figures driven by a 40 per cent increase in identity fraud and a staggering 86 per cent increase in the takeover […]
Fentons Solicitors capture every call
Fentons Solicitors is one of the country’s leading claimant personal injury law firms, with offices in both London and Manchester. "Using Moneypenny means no caller is ever made to wait.” Before using Moneypenny, all calls to its offices were handled by an in-house reception desk, with overflow calls answered by back-office admin teams. Whenever […]
Churches to pay VAT on maintenance and repairs
Conveyancing Data Services has highlighted the closing of a VAT loophole by George Osborne in last month’s Budget. Currently Listed Buildings, including those that are listed as places of worship do not have to pay VAT on any restoration. With this loophole closing, parish councils and places of worship will see a 20% […]
CML records 30% monthly increase in mortgage lending in March
CML figures released this week show a 30% increase in gross mortgage lending in March. The estimated gross mortgage lending figure is £13.4 billion, up from £10.3 billion in February. This also represents a 17% rise from March 2011. The first quarter of the year saw gross lending of an estimated £34.4 billion. This is […]
SRA responds to Financial Protection policy comments
The SRA has this week published the feedback which was received over the consultation over its Financial Protection policy. This consultation ran for 12 weeks and ended on January 17. The consultation looked at the proposed changes as part of the April 2011 Policy Statement. Comments made by stakeholders, along with the SRA responses have […]
Law Society calls for LSB to reject ‘costly burden’ on Compensation Board
Following from the SRA publication of the second stage of its Financial Protection policy review, the Law Society has called on the Legal Services Board (LSB) to reject the SRA decision to burden the Compensation Fund with PII cover for uninsured firms. The Law Society supports: – The removal of the Assigned Risks Pool (ARP) […]
ETSOS launches video nicey
Not every company would let its clients loose on camera but online search provider and conveyancing technology specialist ETSOS has done just that in its new promotional video. Eschewing traditional marketing puff for letting clients tell it like it is, the two-minute film neatly captures the differentiators that have made ETSOS one of the fastest-growing […]
Flash flood warning after worst drought for 30 years
A press release issued by Landmark Information Group is warning conveyancers and solicitors to “be aware of the risks” of flash flooding in order that they can better protect their clients, mitigating the risks. According to the release we are suffering the worst drought for some 30 years in most areas of England, with South […]
March sees 30 per cent fall through in house sales
The fall through rate for house sales in March was just over 30 per cent, according to Quick Move Now, remaining broadly similar for the last three years but double the rate at which house sales fell through in 2006. Market Analyst for Quick Move Now, Donna Houguez, comments: “The fall through rate in […]
SDLT avoidance schemes still being advertised
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) issued a warning to the profession, back in February, to “think twice before becoming involved in Stamp Duty Land Tax schemes (SDLT Schemes)” but some firms are still advertising that they are able to “ Eliminate SDLT liability”. According to the SRA, involvement in SDLT schemes could leave a […]
Mortgage Fraud increases for fifth consecutive year
Conveyancers and lenders are interested in the latest figures when it comes to mortgage fraud and Experian have revealed that fraudulent mortgage applications have risen for the fifth consecutive year. 2011 saw an 8 per cent increase in fraudulent applications for mortgage finance with 34 out of every 10,000 applications being attributed to mortgage fraud, […]
Halifax joins NewBuy Scheme
Halifax is the latest lender to join the NewBuy scheme which was launched last month. It will offer two mortgages to those to wish to use NewBuy to purchase a new build house, and who have a deposit of between 5 and 10%. NewBuy is open to those people who wish to buy a new […]
Lenders and Lawyers working together
Today’s Conveyancer recently spoke to Richard Mathias, founding Director of Law Firm Services, about the upcoming conference. We asked Richard: How many years has the Law Firm Services conference been going ? This is the 4th LFS Conference and we already have more bookings than any other year. With more speakers and sponsors than ever […]
Just one week to enter LFS Conveyancing Awards
There is now only 1 week left if you want to enter the LFS Conveyancing Awards sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group. Richard Mathias of LFS says “ ticket sales have been amazing with nearly 75 % sold already. Many top firms have entered the awards and the judges are going to be have a very […]
Riliance picks up its 50th client in just four months
Riliance picks up its 50th client in just four months Riliance, the Chesire based specialist software house has secured its 50th Legal firm in a matter of just four months. Challinors, a national firm with Eight branches and over 200 staff has become the latest firm to sign up to the companies’ unique web based […]
Negligence, Mistakes & Fraud – A Handbook for Conveyancers
Negligence based claims, conflict of interest based claims, lender claims, quantification of loss, limitation and litigation issues will all be considered. Barrister Sean Kelly offers his expertise in this area – coming soon to a city near you.. Negligence, Mistakes & Fraud – A Handbook for Conveyancers This seminar will consider claims for conveyancing mistakes […]
Chelsea Building Society offers help with conveyancing costs to borrowers
The Chelsea Building Society has announced that it is enhancing its mortgage range by introducing a range of products with a free valuation and a legal fee incentive. This follows from a similar range introduced by the Yorkshire Building Society earlier this month. Chelsea Building Society merged with the Yorkshire Building Society in April […]
George Clarke appointed empty homes advisor
The Government has appointed architect and television presenter George Clarke as an independent advisor to try to bring thousands of empty homes back into use. Despite there being a housing stock shortage, 720,000 homes are left empty across the country. 280,000 of these have been empty for over six months. To try to remedy this, […]
Rightmove House Price Index shows record asking prices for April
The Rightmove House Price Index for April has been released today. It shows that the average property asking price rose 2.9% last month to £243,737. This is a yearly increase of 3.4%. This is a new record, beating that set in May 2008 by £1,327 (0.5%). This national average does mask a north-south divide […]