Government responds to cladding petition
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has responded to a petition to “Hold a full and independent inquiry into the cladding and fire safety scandal.” The petition is the most recent to reach the 10,000 signatures which triggers a response from government. At the time of writing the petition had reached 11,125 signatures. […]
Climate change will put 1.5 million homes at risk from flooding
A new report by Hometrack predicts that that more than 1.5 million homes could be at risk of flooding due to the effects of climate change by 2050. Hometrack analysis reveals that 5% of homes in the UK are already at risk from flooding with a further 1% (300,000 homes) expected to join the “at […]
COP26: Towards better climate change due diligence in property transactions
With COP26 well underway, we have heard many world leaders’ speeches proclaiming that the time to act and deliver on our promises is now. Commitments to reduce emissions over decades seem to run in the face of real and present dangers to our communities, so for us it is about how we mitigate and interact […]
Law Firm Goes Green and Helps Clients put down Future Roots
An Oldham Law firm is looking to make a huge environmental impact, as well as provide clients with a nice moving in gift at the same time. Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers this week launch their ‘Planting Roots for the Future Campaign’. As part of the scheme, on completion of every house purchase the North […]
Why checking photo ID is crucial
It is not the first time that someone’s house has been sold from underneath them by property fraudsters but nevertheless the tale of Reverend Mike Hall’s house being sold while he was working away is shocking. Reverend Hall was astonished to find the locks changed and a stranger happily carrying out renovation work when he […]
Over one million Greater Manchester properties at risk of ground movement
New research has alerted homeowners of the potential hazards associated with abandoned limestone mines in Greater Manchester. Groundsure recently published a white paper revealing the extent of non-coal mining risk in major cities across the UK and has identified over one million properties in Greater Manchester that are potentially at risk of significant ground movement. There […]
A guide to understanding Contaminated Land Legal Indemnity Insurance
Many purchasers only have to hear the words ‘contaminated land’ and they are wary of proceeding with their planned purchase. Conveyancing solicitors report that in these increasingly environmentally aware times, with the importance to home buyers of gardens where they have the ability to grow their own produce, contaminated land is a big concern for […]
So…you think that mining risk is only a rural thing?
It is easy to assume that, if your client’s property is in an urban area, your due diligence on the transaction would not need to involve purchasing a mining report – but Groundsure’s vast collection of historical mining data tells a very different story. Coal mining and all other types of mining (such as tin, […]
UK and US survey reveals ESG concerns and priorities for corporates and law firms
A survey of over 200 senior leaders in US and UK corporates and 100 law firms found Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities are clearly more important now than 12-months ago, yet only 11% of corporates suggested that it is due to having targets in place to improve ESG performance. The study, commissioned by data […]
Assessing Development Risk
DevAssist offers in-depth development risk reports for property purchases. With nearly one-third of DevAssist’s reports identifying properties as having a high risk of development, is it time for more conveyancers to be offering information that identifies and analyses the risk to protect clients’ investments? We spoke to Paul Addison, Managing Director of DevAssist to find […]
170,000 Bristol properties at risk of subsidence
New research by Groundsure alerts homeowners of the potential hazards associated with abandoned mine shafts in Bristol city centre. The latest case study has identified over 170,000 properties in Bristol that are potentially at risk of ground movement. There are currently 82 reported ground collapses in the region, and with 243 mines, pits and quarries […]
Development Risk Webinar Confirmed
poweredbypie has confirmed a free development risk webinar to be run by Paul Addison, Managing Director of DevAssist for 11am on 3 November 2021. Paul Addison, Managing Director of DevAssist confirms: “With nearly one-third of our reports identifying properties as having a high risk of development within 75m, conveyancers need to be able to offer […]
Rise in Japanese Knotweed claims conveyancers warned
Legal claims against property sellers relating to Japanese knotweed have risen sharply over the last twelve months, in part due to buyers and sellers rushing transactions through to benefit from stamp duty holiday savings, reports Environet UK. Research in partnership with CEL Solicitors, a law firm specialising in Japanese knotweed-related claims, has revealed a 25% […]
“Adapt or die”, says Environment Agency as flood risk increases across the UK
The Environment Agency has issued a warning to the UK Government that climate change can only be tackled through greater adaptation to immediate risks, particularly in relation to flooding. In its third adaptation report submitted to Government under the Climate Change Act, the agency warned of more extreme weather leading to increased flooding and drought, […]
New look and new features enhance Terrafirma reports – now LIVE.
Ground risk specialists Terrafirma has announced further improvements to their leading CON29M and Ground Report to aid conveyancers as part of their Autumn updates, live from Monday 18th October. In addition to upgraded site plans and hazard maps across all Terrafirma ground risk reports, a completely redesigned front page for Terrafirma’s flagship Ground Report is […]
Groundsure releases new research to warn of the mining risk to homebuyers
Groundsure has released new research to alert homeowners of the hidden hazards associated with disused mine shafts in some of the UKs major cities. In Groundsure’s latest white paper, the research identifies more than eight million residential properties nationally could be affected by disused mine shafts due to how close to the foundations of a […]
£58m to put “beautiful homes on brownfield sites” and regenerate local areas
Following the Prime Minster’s conference pledge to put “beautiful homes on brownfield sites in places where homes make sense” the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have announced that thousands of new homes will be built on underused and derelict land. 53 councils across England and Wales have been allocated £58 million from […]
OneSearch Risk Series: The rebirth of infrastructure
Written for OneSearch by Mark Taylor, Channel Manager at Landmark Information and environmental auditor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. The rebirth of infrastructure Whilst other topics have been at the forefront of UK politics since 2016, one issue that has remained in the background – recently moving back into the spotlight – […]
Further details of cladding remediation tax announced
The government have released further details of the “Residential Property Developer Tax” (RPDT) which is aimed at funding the remediation costs of replacing dangerous cladding on leasehold properties. The Tax will be levied on the profits of companies carrying out residential property development. The tax applies to profits arising in accounting periods ending on or after […]
“Brownfield First” report calls for greenfield surcharge
A major new report by the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) is calling for a new greenfield surcharge in a bid to encourage future brownfield development. “Brownfield First” proposals suggest that a greenfield surcharge would be used by local authorities for infrastructure spending to help mitigate the higher costs associated with brownfield developments, therefore encouraging developers […]