CILEX calls for stronger regulation of high-volume conveyancing sector to support homebuying reforms
Stronger regulation of the high-volume, low-value conveyancing sector will be required to ensure the success of reforms aimed at improving the speed and efficiency of the conveyancing process, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) says. A review into the current fee structure for conveyancing work is also needed to ensure that quality of advice […]
Nationwide’s latest HPI reports steady demand in a resilient housing market
The housing market of 2025 was resilient, with demand that held up well, according to Nationwide’s House Price Index for December. Despite the year ending “on a softer note” in relation to house prices, Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner said the word of the year was ‘resilient’. “Even though consumer sentiment was relatively subdued, with […]
RLBA calls on government to empower homeowners in property data revolution
The Residential Logbook Association (RLBA), the self-regulatory body for property logbook providers, has called on the government to be more ambitious in its aspirations for property data and to empower homeowners to take control of their property’s data. In its response to the government’s home buying and selling consultation, which closed on 29th December, the […]
Housing secretary proposes ‘significant rewrite’ of planning rules for ‘biggest housebuilding surge in a generation’
Housing secretary Steve Reed has launched a major consultation on a revamped National Planning Policy Framework, in what he said will be “the most significant rewrite of planning rules in more than a decade.” The proposals will enable the building of hundreds of thousands of new homes in the biggest housebuilding surge in a generation, […]
Law Society rejects LeO budget increase; CLC accepts ‘with great reluctance’
With the deadline for responding to the draft business plan and budget of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) now passed, the Law Society of England and Wales and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers have shared their responses to the proposals. In November, the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) published the draft 2026/27 plan and budget, which […]
‘Under-served’ consumers to receive lending boost under new FCA mortgage plans
First-time buyers, the self-employed and later-life lenders could get a step-up onto the housing ladder under plans announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) this week. The regulator has shared its priorities for reforms to the mortgage market in its Mortgage Rule Review Feedback statement and Roadmap for 2026, which sets out how it plans […]
SRA targets COLPs and COFAs in latest client money crackdown
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will seek to separate the roles of Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) from ‘individuals that can unilaterally determine or direct significant management decisions’ with law firms, in its latest crackdown. A newly launched client money consultation proposes to separate both roles […]
New Homes England strategy ‘will accelerate delivery of new homes’
Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has published its new strategic plan, which sets out how it will deliver new homes, re-shape the housing market, support housing-led regeneration and drive innovation. The plan puts collaboration with mayors, local leaders and partners at its centre, to support the delivery of high-quality, safe and sustainable homes in thriving, […]
Lloyds Bank pushes for blockchain in home buying, as FCA says stablecoin payments are a 2026 priority
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out what it says is an ambitious new growth plan for 2026, which includes supporting UK-issued stablecoin cryptocurrency to provide faster and more convenient payments.The plan comes as Lloyds Bank called for an overhaul of the UK financial system to enable customer deposits on the blockchain, as reported […]
UK law societies back landmark treaty to protect lawyers
UK law societies have united to call for urgent ratification of a new treaty designed to protect lawyers this World Human Rights Day (10 December). They say that the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer provides a protective framework against the rising tide of harassment, threats and physical attacks that undermine their ability to do their job […]
Sanctions for firms that failed to conduct adequate checks in conveyancing transactions
Three firms have been fined a total of £43,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for failing to conduct adequate anti-money laundering checks in conveyancing transactions. The largest penalty, £20,048, was handed to East London firm Richard Pearlman LLP, which the SRA found had failed to conduct sufficient, or any, source of funds checks in six […]
‘Major acceleration’ in tech adoption among conveyancers
New research from Landmark Information Group reveals a major acceleration in the adoption of technological tools across the conveyancing sector, with AI usage among residential conveyancers doubling in a year. Last year, 39% of conveyancers interviewed by Landmark said they used the technology, rising to 78% in October this year. The vast majority of research […]
Budget fall-out continues, with 14% drop in mortgage searches
The latest data from Twenty7tec shows a clear pause in borrower behaviour in November, which the financial technology firm attributes to households and landlords waiting for budget clarity before making new commitments.Total mortgage searches fell to 1,405,878, a 14.64% drop compared with October and 3.81% lower than last year. The slowdown was led by purchases, […]
First-time buyer homes at lowest income to house price ratio since 2015
The average first-time buyer home now costs 5.9 times average earnings, the lowest ratio since 2015, according to the latest affordability review from Lloyds. Research from the high street lender has found a combination of lower interest rates, higher incomes and limited property price growth has improved first-time buyer affordability over the last year, taking […]
Law Society research lays bare shocking scale of threats and abuse against solicitors
Research by the Law Society of England and Wales has laid bare the levels of threats faced by solicitors, with half of those interviewed for the research reporting threats or abuse related to their work in the last 12 months. The survey of 286 Law Society members, carried out in August, revealed ‘an alarmingly high’ […]