HMLR Practice Guide updates: PG27 & PG49
Here are the latest practice guide updates issued by HM Land Registry. The leasehold reform legislation (PG27) Page summary: Advice for conveyancers on the land registration aspects of the exercise of rights under leasehold reform legislations (practice guide 27). Change made: Section 7 has been amended to emphasise the need for a certificate to be […]
Conveyancers urge industry to manage client expectations over SDLT
Conveyancing firms are encouraging the industry to set homemover expectations accordingly when it comes to the extension of the SDLT holiday. Speaking to a number of readers Today’s Conveyancer understands many estate agents are advising new homemovers that they will be able to sell before the next deadlines in June and September. But the reality […]
Law Society Awards now open!
The Law Society Awards 2021 are now open for entries with 20 categories to choose from, covering individual, team and firm awards. “After an extraordinary year, it has never been more important to celebrate the outstanding work of our profession,” said Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce. “Solicitors play a vital […]
British Conveyancing Awards deadline is on Wednesday
Time is ticking to get your entries in for the inaugural British Conveyancing Awards, with registrations for submissions closing on Wednesday 7th April. Those who have registered have until midnight on Friday 9th April to submit their entry, before the judging process begins. The awards are presented by Today’s Conveyancer alongside headline sponsor Lawyer Checker, […]
Caring for an industry under pressure
Written by Scott Bozinis, CEO, InfoTrack UK Over the past few weeks, new buyers have been entering the market, eager to complete on a sale before the new deadline passes. While this is something that companies across the property sector will celebrate, particularly after multiple lockdowns have harmed business activity, we should also acknowledge the […]
Conveyancers reminded fast track ‘expedite’ service still available
HM Land Registry (HMLR) wants to remind conveyancers that they are still able to expedite an outstanding application, enabling urgent applications to be processed within 10 working days, for no extra charge. In the first two months of the year, data released by TwentyCi has revealed that over 56,500 housing transactions have fallen through. The […]
Changes to non-resident SDLT from 1st April 2021
Yesterday, 1st April 2021, there was a change to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for non-residents of the UK who purchase property in the country. The new measure means an additional 2% surcharge will be applied on existing SDLT rates for non-UK residents. The surcharge will also apply to some UK resident companies controlled directly […]
How to bring balance and stability back to the legal workplace
This Spring, law firms across the UK have been preparing for the imminent challenges of a safe return to office life. As more law practices begin to welcome back their hibernating staff, it is becoming clear that finding the middle ground – where practicality and caution can coexist – requires not a compass but a […]
Demand softens as buyers put transactions on ice
Andy Sommerville, Director at Search Acumen, says: “This latest data shows activity in the property market started to level off ahead of the end of the initial Stamp Duty holiday. “The slide in property prices has been partly driven by buyers putting transactions on ice until greater certainty over whether the SDLT holiday would be extended […]
Your chance to help The Law Commission to shape Law Reform
The Law Commission has announced its 14th Programme of Law Reform and is asking for contributions to help shape the priorities for the next three to four years. A statement from the Law Commission reads: “The Law Commission carries out law reform projects with the aim of making the law fair, modern, simple and cost-effective. […]
1st April Stamp Duty Land Tax changes – no laughing matter
With all the publicity around the ‘stamp duty holiday’ extension and the debate around whether the tapered rates will only create a new cliff edge in Autumn, it might be possible to lose sight of another significant SDLT change coming into effect, as Joanna King, Product Manager at tmgroup explains. From 1st April 2021, a […]
OneSearch Direct urge conveyancers to be extra vigilant with lender handbook requirements
OneSearch Direct, the largest local search data company in the UK, has urged conveyancers to exercise caution when checking updates to Lender Part II enquiries, after it was reported that a significant number of changes were made to Lender requirements in the last year. In light of economic uncertainty, OneSearch believe a rise in unemployment […]
Enquiry handling in lockdown and beyond
Remote working, home schooling, furloughed staff and Local Authority delays are just a few challenges faced by conveyancers during the past year. This is set against a backdrop of growing caseloads, with HMRC figures showing a rise of 24% in property transactions compared with December 2019. On 3 March 2021, the same day as the […]
Further digitisation of property data in Stockport will cut search times
Property professionals can now access new data on highway extent and tree preservation orders in Stockport Further digitisation of search data will cut search times from 20 days to one Number of residential property transactions in Stockport fell 28% over the last year, down to 2,930 in 2020 from 4,082 in 2019, driven by the […]
Electric vehicle parking should be considered in conveyancing
Law firm Coffin Mew is urging conveyancers to consider the provision of electric vehicle parking and charging as part of the conveyancing process. The lawyers warn that with the sale of new petrol and diesel cars banned from 2030 onwards the impact on property desirability and pricing will start to be seen within the next […]
HMLR Practice Guide update: PG80
Here are the latest practice guide updates issued by HM Land Registry. Coronavirus (COVID-19): useful information for conveyancers (PG80) Page summary: Information about pre-existing and new practice of particular relevance in the current circumstances (practice guide 80). Change made: Section 4.1 has been amended. The automatic filing extension granted by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance […]
LSB rally call to put consumers at heart of legal services
The Legal Services Board (LSB) launched a consumer-focussed strategy for legal services in England and Wales, and called for collaboration to reshape legal services to better meet society’s needs. The ambitious ten-year strategy reflects that the significant challenges facing the legal services sector can only be tackled by people and organisations working together to pursue […]
Final full week to enter the British Conveyancing Awards
The deadline to enter the British Conveyancing Awards is fast approaching, with registrations closing on Wednesday 7th April. The awards are presented by Today’s Conveyancer alongside headline sponsor Lawyer Checker, and will be hosted by the BBC’s Samira Ahmed on 25th May, with the virtual ceremony taking centre stage at 3.30pm. Tom Lyes Director of […]
BASPI excitement felt in the property sector
On 15th March, the Home Buying and Selling Group published its Buying and Selling Property Information (BASPI) dataset, which is designed to be the ‘one source of truth’ when it comes to upfront information about a property. Following the announcement of BASPI, Kate Faulkner, Chair of the Home Buying and Selling Group, said: “This is […]
Safe Harbour welcomed as a step forward in the sector
The industry has embraced the new steps that HM Land Registry (HMLR) is taking to enable the use of digital ID verification in the home buying process. Although the standard is optional at the moment, it is thought that it will soon become the ‘norm’ for the industry, as process become more streamlined and the […]