Nationwide fined £44m by the FCA for AML failures
Nationwide Building Society has been fined £44 million by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for “inadequate anti-financial crime systems and controls between October 2016 to July 2021”. The financial regulator said the building society had “ineffective systems for keeping up-to-date due diligence and risk assessments for all its personal current account customers and for monitoring […]
Expect big Boxing Day bounce, says Rightmove
Property portal Rightmove said it is expecting a bigger than usual Boxing Day bounce this year, as those who paused moving plans due to the much-anticipated autumn budget decide to kick-start their home moves in 2026. As many as one in five home movers said they had been waiting for the outcome of the budget […]
HMLR publishes avoidable requisitions data in bid to cut costs and delays
HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published avoidable requisitions data on GOV.UK, in a bid to “help conveyancers cut delays, improve application quality and access free training”. Fully avoidable requisitions make up 4.6% of the 1.3 million applications to HMLR according to the data, which covers the six months from April to September 2025. The updated […]
#BCAwards2026 judging panel announced – tickets now available
Tickets for the British Conveyancing Awards 2026, sponsored by Groundsure, are now available as the awards enters the critical period of judging. This year’s panel of judges will review the entries from individuals, firms and business up and down the country, with the finalists set to be announced early February. The British Conveyancing Awards 2026 […]
Demand trends remain downbeat in subdued property market – RICS
The RICS UK Residential Market Survey for November reveals a subdued property market following the government’s autumn budget, with metrics on buyer demand and sales volumes remaining firmly in negative territory. Forward-looking indicators are also yet to suggest any meaningful near-term improvement in the property market, RICS said, with agents predicting a revival in spring […]
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, […]
Reading is most attractive town to move to, with 1883% increase in new-builds
Reading is the UK’s most attractive town to move to, according to a new study from MRI Software. The town has topped an index of ‘move-in magnets’ created by the software company, which tracks and forecasts footfall and performance metrics across the UK. By analysing data on new-build development trends, job availability, cost of living […]
Mayoral areas to receive 30-year funding package to support home building
Six fast-tracked devolution areas will receive a multi-billion pound long-term funding package to support the building of new homes and improved high streets, the government has announced. Combined county authorities in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton will share almost £200 million every year […]
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 […]
Fraud awareness webinar series now online
Conveyancing remains a prime target for organised fraud. Between April 2024 and May 2025, there were 143 reported cases and £11.7m in losses – often devastating for households. But as fraud evolves, so do the tools, standards and behaviour that keep clients safe. As part of International Fraud Awareness Week, PEXA hosted a webinar series […]
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 […]
OPDA urges property sector to respond to consultation on home buying reform
The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) is urging property professionals to respond to the government’s home buying consultation, which the organisation says is “a unique opportunity for transformational change”. OPDA – whose members include NatWest Group, HSBC, Nationwide and Lloyds Banking Group – campaigns to improve the home buying and selling process, including safe and […]
‘Buy now, pay later’ deals impacting mortgage chances of a generation, broker warns
A rise in the use of ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes is significantly affecting the chances of securing a mortgage for a generation of young professionals, a UK mortgage broker has warned. An analysis by Mojo Mortgages suggests around 22.6 million UK adults have used the deals – but the broker warns consistently incurring large […]
Conveyancers who submit SDLT returns must register as tax advisers, HMRC confirms
HMRC has confirmed conveyancers who submit SDLT returns must register as tax advisers, in accordance with legislation introduced in the Finance Bill 2025-26, which will come into effect from May. Confirmation was sent in an emailed response to Rob Hailstone, CEO and founder of Bold Legal Group, who approached HMRC amid uncertainty highlighted by the […]
Deputy PM meets legal sector leaders to develop ‘future-proofing’ plan
A new expert panel chaired by deputy prime minister David Lammy has met to discuss plans that will ensure the UK remains a leading global centre for legal services. Legal and business experts who make up the newly formed English Law Promotion Panel gathered to identify key opportunities to grow the sector, currently worth £42.6 […]
Targeting green belt is a government choice, says countryside charity
New research from charity CPRE suggests government policy is paving the way for large-scale development of unspoilt rural landscapes. Since the ‘‘grey belt’ policy was introduced in December 2024, 13 developments of 10 or more homes have been approved by planning inspectors on so called grey belt sites within the protected green belt. But of […]
Inaugural National Conveyancing Month to be held in March
The Conveyancing Foundation has announced the launch of National Conveyancing Month, which will be held in March. Building on the success of National Conveyancing Week in March last year, the event has been expanded to offer more flexibility and engagement across the conveyancing profession, reflecting the vital role conveyancers play in the home moving process. […]
‘One of the most stable years for housing market in a decade’ – Halifax
The last year has been one of the most stable for the housing market in the last decade, according to Halifax head of mortgages Amanda Bryden. Commenting on the release of the latest Halifax House Price Index, which showed very little change in house prices (up £139 since October), Bryden said the consistency in prices […]
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 […]
Changes to property taxes ‘unlikely to impact housing market’ – Nationwide
Changes to property taxes announced in the budget are unlikely to impact the housing market, and moderate borrowing costs should support buyer demand, Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner has said. Commenting on the release of Nationwide’s House Price Index for November, which showed a slight slowdown in the annual rate of house price growth, Gardner […]