Record number of sellers come to market on Boxing Day and demand jumps by 273%, data reveals
New data from Rightmove reveals that a new record number of sellers came to market on Boxing Day, with a 26% increase in new sellers beating the previous record of last year. Buyers also got their new year moving plans in motion on Boxing Day, with the number of buyers contacting estate agents about homes […]
A Penguin’s Eye View on Pricing 2023
Reflection on the Residential Conveyancing Market in England and Wales As any residential conveyancing lawyer will tell you, the past couple of years have been full on. The residential conveyancing market in England and Wales has experienced significant fluctuations over the recent past , with notable peaks and troughs that have reshaped the industry landscape. […]
Confessions of a Cyber Conveyancer
Anyone reading this will agree that 2023 hasn’t been exactly what you’d call vintage for property lawyers. The hangover of recent years combined with a correction in the property market has resulted in understandable negativity, which we know from history tends to lead to people looking for someone to blame. Depressingly true to historical form, […]
Embracing the Digital Frontier: A 2024 Perspective for UK Law Firms
The digital marketing world in 2024 is dynamic, with a heavy emphasis on personalization, AI-driven strategies, and an omnichannel approach. UK law firms need to adapt to these trends to remain competitive and relevant. Focus Areas for Time and Budgets Personalised Client Experiences: In 2024, personalisation is not just a trend but a necessity. Law […]
Turn conversations into clients
Death, divorce, debt. More often than not, we do not seek out a lawyer when things are going well. When clients require legal services or representation, they are potentially immersed in some of the most stress-laden tribulations of their lives. Irrespective of whether it’s a personal or business-related matter, it is imperative that clients perceive […]
Navigating the Future: My Predictions for the Property Market in 2024
As I look ahead to 2024, I foresee transformative shifts in the property market driven by a range of initiatives, aligning with my vision for a more streamlined and transparent home buying and selling experience. In my view, the introduction of NTSELAT Parts B & C Material Information Rules signifies a further move towards best […]
“All change please”: End of the line for status quo?
It is fair to say that ‘Home Information Packs (HIPs) 1.0’ wasn’t exactly embraced by the industry and eventually brought the “quasi-lawyers” (estate agents) out onto the streets with their pitchforks! The reticence then was HIPs would slow the market down, add extra cost to selling and alienate casual sellers. From my memory of selling […]
Material Information parts A, B, and C – Friend or Foe of the Conveyancer?
It was recently claimed that the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) was “re-engineering conveyancing by the back door” by introducing the full Material Information Guidance and we were warned that “non-regulated companies” would seek to take advantage of “HIPs 2.0.” All a bit dramatic maybe? I think so. However, conveyancers would […]
Material Information is “re-engineering conveyancing by the back door”
A pressure group that says it represents the interests of property lawyers has described the Parts A, B, and C guidance introduced last week by the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team as “re-engineering conveyancing by the back door” and warned “non-regulated companies” seeking to take advantage of “HIPs 2.0.” The recently launched […]
“Momentous” leasehold reform bill introduced to Parliament
The “Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill” is set to be introduced to Parliament today (27th November), just two weeks after the Kings Speech. The Bill could see new leasehold homes banned in England and Wales Reformers have described its introduction as “momentous” with the bill set to make it easier for leaseholders to purchase their […]
Interview: Thomas Maerz; CEO tmgroup
With a Competition and Markets Authority investigation hanging over them until recently, and with new ownership which has brought about changes in the management team, it’s fair to say conveyancing search and technology provider tmgroup have had a testing last 24 months. And that’s before we consider the impact the current property market volumes have […]
Leasehold reform: Striking a balance for fairness and sustainability in the housing sector
The announcement of the Leasehold and Freehold Bill in the King’s Speech was clearly a landmark moment for the sector, not least for all leaseholders themselves and all those stakeholders – including the CA – who have long-campaigned for their rights. To say we were relieved to see this Bill in the King’s Speech would […]
ESTAS winners have their say…
It was a double celebration at the 2023 ESTAS Awards three weeks ago, as this year we marked our twentieth birthday and the hailed the best of the best from the property industry. Although it’s been a somewhat challenging twelve months, the cream really has risen to the top and over the last year the […]
Demystifying the SQE: A Comprehensive Guide to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has been a topic of conversation and interest in the legal community for some time. As the newest route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales, it represents a significant change in the traditional path to legal qualification. In this blog, we aim to demystify the SQE by exploring its […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 13th November 2023
When I started practising conveyancing thirty plus years ago, leasehold conveyancing was very different. One of my most distinct memories was being asked to go to a local firm of freeholders/managing agents in the town with a Notice of Assignment and two guineas (but in new money – I’m not that old!) within twenty eight […]
CA ‘relieved’ to see Leasehold and Freehold Bill in King’s Speech
The Conveyancing Association (CA) said it is “relieved” to see a Leasehold and Freehold Bill in this week’s King’s Speech, however urged the Government to also look at other key areas such as the introduction of Commonhold and the Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA). The King’s Speech included a specific Leasehold and Freehold Bill which […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 6th November 2023
I am acting on the sale of a property for a relative who is selling the property on behalf of his father – it is very sad circumstances. It is always interesting to hear what happens in the lives of those selling or buying in relation to the transaction as there are things that we […]
HS2 – What will happen now?
What is HS2? HS2 is a 250-mile high-speed railway line between the Northwest and Southeast, stopping at Manchester, Birmingham, and London, with trains continuing the existing network to Scotland and beyond. It aims to address three key problems facing our current railway network: capacity, carbon, and connectivity. On 4th October 2023, Rishi Sunak announced that […]
LPAs and beyond – To discuss or not to discuss, that is the question!
This is an extremely personal matter. My ex-husband suffers from early on-set dementia and requires 24-hour nursing at the tender age of just 63. We hear about cases like his more and more but the practicalities of looking after a loved one are still not really talked about. It has been exceptionally difficult for my […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 30th October 2023
It is still the case that many prospective clients call the office to ask for a breakdown of costs. Invariably, he or she has already called other firms and may have spoken with another solicitor – or did they? And with that question, I do not mean was it a “real” conversation . I am […]
