Grazing sheep not enough to convince FTT property was non-residential
A failed claim for Stamp Duty Land Tax exemption on part of a property on which sheep would graze has cost home owners nearly £50,000 after a first tier tribunal (FTT) ruled the use of the field was “intermittent” and the grazing counted as “maintenance”. Couple Ian Sinclair and Diana Chilvers bought the Grade II […]
Compliance roles to be separated from senior leadership, as SRA clamps down on client money protection
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed the first intended actions to come out of recent client money consultations. “Higher risk” firms with a turnover of more than £600,000, or holding more than £2 million of client money, must make sure no single individual can both run a firm and oversee its compliance, including with […]
Homeowners to be given access to HMLR data in digital property logbook trial
Homeowners will be given direct access to their own Land Registry data as part of a 12-month digital property logbook trial set to begin this month. The trial, which has been coordinated by the Residential Logbook Association (RLBA), will explore how homeowners can securely access the data, with participating logbook providers encouraged to explore innovative […]
UK Finance will ‘soft launch’ new Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook today
The updated UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook will ‘soft launch’ today (1st June), in what the banking industry body said will be a parallel process with the existing handbook ahead of its formal release on the 29thJune. From today, conveyancers will have advanced access to the new handbook, which will operate from a new platform. […]
Test demonstrates how property data sharing could work
A sandbox test has shown for the first time how trusted property data can be accessed, verified and shared securely. The Smart Property Data Trust Framework ‘sandbox’ – a safe environment to test software – is a government-backed initiative designed to create a controlled environment where organisations can securely share property data. Funded by a […]
Conveyancers suspected of dishonesty face action by regulators warns HMLR
Conveyancers suspected of dishonesty could face action by regulators, HM Land Registry (HMLR) has warned. In a blog published on the HLMR website, assistant land registrar Serene Rollins said manipulating or re-using signatures, repeated failures to check deeds, and misrepresenting oneself as a legal professional were among the issues that could prompt referral to a […]
Homes England achieves highest number of completions since 2020
Homes England has achieved its highest number of housing completions since the start of the global pandemic, despite just missing the government’s annual target. In the year 2025/26, the housing and regeneration agency completed more than 40,200 homes, just shy of its government target of 41,500, according to provisional figures. This year’s completions are up […]
New public interest ombudsman decisions reveal ‘serious failings’
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has published its latest raft of public interest decisions, revealing “serious failings in the delivery of legal services”. The six new decisions reveal that failures to provide clear advice, carry out essential checks and manage cases effectively have led to tangible and, in some instances, irreversible consequences for the individuals involved. […]
CFIT unveils Open Property Roadmap to ‘modernise UK home buying’
The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology has published a roadmap for open property which it says sets out “a clear and credible pathway to transform the UK’s home buying process”. The Open Property Roadmap was commissioned by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to enable the digitalisation of the home buying and selling […]
Rayner cleared of ‘wrongdoing or carelessness’ as she settles £40,000 SDLT bill
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner says she has settled a £40,000 bill for stamp duty land tax after being cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs. In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Rayner said an investigation by HMRC resulted in her settling the underpayment. HMRC said it was […]
Kitemark for upfront information providers to be developed as new representative group launches
A new group has been launched to standardise the production of material information and digital sales packs, under the umbrella of the Residential Logbook Association (RLBA). Upfront Information Group (UIG) has been established by the self-regulatory body of logbook providers to enable it to engage with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) […]
Leasehold complications lengthening transaction times, with conveyancing blamed for delays
Average transaction times have extended by four weeks since 2019, according to statistics published by Connells Group this week. Leasehold transactions are driving much of the increase in average timescales, with a typical leasehold transaction taking 155 days to reach exchange in April – 58 days longer than a freehold property. The estate agency group […]
Firm-wide CPD and peer-assessed training part of new CLC ongoing competence requirements
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is introducing new requirements for individuals and firms to undertake and report on ongoing competence, as part of a new Ongoing Competence Code. The code, effective from 1st November, includes the assessment of training by senior colleagues. Individuals will be required to complete and report on a minimum of […]
‘Embrace AI to stay relevant to TikTok generation’ Sir Geoffrey Vos tells lawyers
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, has urged lawyers to embrace technological change and the use of AI to ensure younger generations engage with the justice system. Sir Geoffrey Vos, head of civil justice in England and Wales, said in a speech at The Judicial Institute for Scotland, Parliament Square, Edinburgh, last Thursday, […]
Property industry webinar returns on 12th May
Networking and collaboration group Women in Residential Property has hosted regular property market updates since its inception in 2017, drawing on the experience of its members from across the residential property sector, with representation from block management, estate agency, surveying and conveyancing. This month, the update is led by Emily Gray (operations director for independent […]
Lawyers urged to take practical action to support mental health and wellbeing ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week
LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, is encouraging legal professionals to take simple practical actions to support their own and others’ wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from the 11th to the 17th of May. Last year, LawCare’s research found that many people in the legal sector were struggling with […]
BoE interest rate hold ‘is cause for optimism’
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%. The hold has been welcomed as a sign of stability by some, with Jason Tebb, president of online property portal OnTheMarket, calling it a cause for optimism among borrowers. “As well as this, many […]
CLC seeks views on proposed rule changes
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on proposed changes to the rules governing how disciplinary proceedings involving regulated practices and individuals are dealt with by its independent adjudication panel. Member feedback is encouraged on changes to the procedural rules that govern matters under the panel’s consideration, which the CLC says will enhance […]
Leasehold ‘blighting lives’ says housing minister, as plans to introduce commonhold reaffirmed
The government has reaffirmed plans to introduce commonhold as the default tenure to “stop the renewal of the leasehold system” and give homeowners back control of their homes. Speaking at the Institute for Government, Matthew Pennycook , the minister of state for housing, communities and local government, described leasehold as a “blight” and a barrier […]
Determined buyers sustaining demand, despite ‘fresh fog’ of rising inflation and house price slowdown
After Rightmove’s latest data offered a more optimistic picture of the housing market, ONS consumer price inflation figures and UK house price index bring what PwC UK described as “a fresh fog”. But despite the ongoing uncertainty over the Middle East conflict, other experts point out the house price index offers a backdated snapshot, and […]