Cost of fall throughs breaks £1bn in 2024
An estimated 300,000 aborted sales, at a cost of just under £3500 means fall throughs cost home buyers over £1bn in 2024 according to newly released analysis by estate agency eXp. The estate agency says an estimated 70,641 fall throughs occurred in Q4 2024 according to data from the TwentyCi Property & Homemover Report, down […]
FTBs account for over £100bn of property sales in 2024
First time buyers accounted for over £106bn worth of property sales in 2024 after a resurgence of activity in the sector after a fall in numbers in 2021. Reporting on figures produced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in 2023 the overall number of new first-time buyer (FTB) […]
Law Society supports Mental Health Bill’s vital reforms but more work ahead
The Law Society of England and Wales has backed the amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983, which is a positive step towards ensuring that essential mental health services guarantee dignity, respect and access to justice for all. This comes as the Mental Health Bill goes into its report stage in the House of Lords […]
Land Data renews NLIS Hub contract until March 2027
The license to run the The National Land Information Service (NLIS) Hub, which provides land and property information from every Local Authority in England and Wales, HM Land Registry and the Mining Remediation Authority, has been renewed with Land Data and Decision Insight Group to March 2027. The NLIS hub has been in existence since […]
One month of completions in five days
Tales of the heroics conveyancers delivered in the final days of March in the run up to the stamp duty deadline have started to unfold as firms recover from the latest SDLT cliff edge. The culmination of months of effort and diligence by property lawyers up and down the country came down to just a […]
New chair sought for national networking group
National networking and collaboration group Women in Residential Property is recruiting for a new chair following the end of current chair Nicola Broomham’s term. Women in Residential Property was established 6 years ago by Emma Vigus and in that time has amassed a significant following across the property services sector encompassing block management, surveying, estate […]
LSB emphasises ongoing oversight and engagement to drive regulatory improvements
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the performance of legal regulators. Speaking at a recent meeting, LSB Chief Executive Craig Westwood outlined the Board’s approach leading up to the next regulatory performance assessment. Westwood emphasised that, beyond formal assessments, the LSB is actively working with regulators to drive improvements. This […]
‘Next-generation’ of commercial searches launched
Environmental search and data provider Groundsure have launched what they are describing as a series of next-generation commercial search products ‘designed to set new standards in environmental searches’. The newly launched suite, which includes revised Screening and Review searches, also introduces a brand new search – Siteview. “Our new commercial product suite embodies Groundsure’s commitment […]
‘Vital’ consumers remain confident in the property market as mortgage approval numbers released
It is ‘vital’ consumers remain optimistic about property market momentum as an expected fall in net borrowing in February compared to January has been reported in the latest Bank of England (BoE) Money and Credit report. Net borrowing decreased £900m in February having risen £800m in January 2025. The result is the annual growth rate […]
Stress ‘notably higher’ in legal services compared with other professions
With National Stress Awareness Month starting today (1st April) a new report has identified the legal sector reporting ‘notably higher stress levels compared to other professional services,’ calling on employers to do more to help balance the responsibilities of family life alongside demanding careers. The recently published Modern Families Index (MFI) 2025: Legal Sector Report […]
Major legal regulators fall short in latest performance assessment
The two largest legal regulators in England and Wales have fallen short of expected standards, according to the latest annual performance assessment published by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standards Board (BSB) together regulate more than 90% of legal professionals in England and Wales. Both failed to demonstrate […]
Conveyancers perform miracles ahead of Manic Monday
Conveyancers up and down the country have pulled out all the stops to help homeowners beat the SDLT deadline. With just a few hours to go until the latest stamp duty cliff edge, tales of heroics have been shared with this publication, and on social media. Daventry-based Simply Conveyancing clocked up 146 completions in one […]
February transaction numbers 24% up on 2024 with more to come
February’s transaction numbers provide a glimpse of the scale of activity in the residential property with volumes up a quarter on the same time last year, and 10% up on January 2025. With the SDLT deadline today (31st March 2025) there is no doubt February’s numbers are an indicator of what can be expected once […]
Santander first to react to FCA’s call to enhance affordability
Santander say they are the first lender to respond to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) call to increase the amount of money lenders can borrow; and increase the affordability of mortgage for those looking to buy their first home, or move. The bank says it has reduced residential affordability rates by up to 0.75% bringing […]
Market to maintain momentum after March
The supply of new properties coming to market is outstripping demand in many area of the country but with 5% more sales, and 11% more properties to buy, the prognosis for the property market after the end of March looks promising. There is likely to be a stamp duty ‘hangover’ say Zoopla in their latest […]
‘Overwhelming’ support for industrial action at MHCLG
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) members working in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action. The union balloted members after it raised concerns over planned office closures, rigid office attendance policies and changes to recruitment practices. The results of the first ballot, which balloted members based […]
Building Safety Levy delayed until Autumn 2026
The Building Safety Levy, the tax introduced to fund the removal of unsafe cladding from homes, has been delayed after warnings it could hamper house building plans. Initially planned to be introduced later this year, the Ministry for Housing said it now be introduced from Autumn 2026. With a stated ambition to stimulate house building, […]
Community-led housing another route to deliver on government’s plans to build 1.5m new homes
As much as £50m could be invested into community-led house building following a further funding announcement from the government. A £20m package for community groups, such as community land trusts and housing co-operatives has been allocated by Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook; with hopes of up to £30 million in match-funding from the private sector as […]
Recruitment agency focusing on conveyancing launched in North East
A new recruitment agency focusing on conveyancing and legal services has been launched with offices in located in South Shields and Gosforth in the North East, and Derby in the Midlands. Let’s Recruit says it will operate nationally and will be headed up by legal recruiter Sam Bailey. The ambition of Let’s Recruit is to […]
£2bn committed to build social and affordable homes
The government have described its commitment to a £2bn injection in house building as a “significant milestone” in efforts to build 1.5m homes during the Parliament. The money will be invested in 18,000 new social and affordable homes. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves took the opportunity to announce the plans on a visit to an affordable […]
