New chair for collaboration group Women in Residential Property
Property industry collaboration group Women in Residential Property (WiRP) has announced the appointment of a new chair for the next term, following in the footsteps of Nicola Broomham who steps down after two years. Partner and Head of Conveyancing Services at national law firm Foot Anstey, Rebecca Kibby takes up the role and will work […]
LMS Strengthens Commercial Team with Three New Appointments
LMS, which launched National Property Transaction Network (NPTN) in 2024, is proud to announce new appointments within the commercial team to focus on fostering key relationships and driving the company’s continued growth. The recent restructure includes the promotion of Richard Norman to Head of Partnerships and Emily Haskey to Head of Customer Success, whilst Mat […]
Reminder: Purpose codes mandated from 1st May 2025
Conveyancer are reminded the inclusion of ‘purpose codes’ for property transactions, as mandated by Bank of England (BoE), will come into effect this week. The introduction of the new requirement, part of a move to a new global standard in payment messaging, had originally been set for introduction in November 2024, but was delayed to […]
OPDA launches accreditation programme in drive for data consistency
The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has launched an accreditation programme for members, in what it calls ‘a key milestone’ in its drive to achieve greater data transparency, consistency and accessibility across the UK’s property industry. Accreditation will demonstrate OPDA members’ commitment to improving how property data is shared and used, the independent trade body […]
Costly penalties await failure to apply correct rates of SDLT – Warning
Following the end of March many conveyancers would be forgiven for being happy to never hear or talk about SDLT again. But, says one firm, SDLT is something which should always be given due consideration. The warning comes from Relatus, a specialist in SDLT who say incorrectly calculating SDLT can result in costly penalties and […]
Private equity investment in ‘digital-first’ surveying portal
Surveying portal HouzeCheck has received significant investment from London-based private equity funders Beach Equity Investments LLP, to further develop its digital-first offering. Launched in 2018, Houzecheck’s platform uses cloud, digital, and AI technologies to provide RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Surveys, RICS Level 3 Building Surveys, and property valuations through a network of c.150 fully accredited […]
PEPA invites conveyancers to online conference
The Property Energy Professionals Association (PEPA), whose members are the Government-appointed Accreditation Schemes for Energy Assessors, is inviting conveyancing lawyers to its annual online conference on 1st May. The conference will have a strong focus on Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform, as well as the changing landscape in respect of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) […]
The Evolving Landscape of Legal Recruitment and Employment
The legal sector, traditionally known for its steadfastness, is undergoing a profound transformation. As a recruitment agency specialising in this dynamic field, we’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts reshaping how firms attract, retain, and engage talent. Three months into our journey, we’re sharing our insights on the evolving landscape. One of the most polarising debates […]
DPMSG to publish second version of digital conveyancing roadmap
Progress on plans to digitise the property property market has been shared by the Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) ahead of an anticipated second version of their Roadmap which is expected to be published in the coming weeks. DPMSG is a collaboration of government, regulators, membership bodies and pressure groups who all have a […]
Latest private equity acquisition grows North West footprint
Private equity house Blixt has completed its latest acquisition to the Lawfront legal services group with North West firm Farleys’ acquisition of Wigan-based Alker Ball Healds Solicitors (ABH). Farleys was acquired by Blixt in 2022 for a sum in the region of £18m. In April 2023 the firm acquired serious injury and professional negligence claims […]
Rebranded Muve launches “Lightspeed” conveyancing
Like many conveyancers last month, Muve achieved its highest ever monthly completion numbers in the run up to the SDLT deadline. The Richmond-based conveyancing firm said it completed 1820 properties in March. It has followed up that success with the launch of a new brand, and two new services designed to bring down the time […]
Geodesys Secures Contract to Deliver CON29DW Searches for Southern Water
Geodesys, a specialist in conveyancing searches and home to the Anglian Water CON29DW, has been appointed as a trusted partner for the ordering and delivery of CON29DW searches in the Southern Water region. As part of this partnership, Geodesys will roll out a streamlined ordering process through its dynamic e-commerce platform and API solutions. This […]
Record numbers of transactions as conveyancers meet SDLT challenge
Conveyancers up and down the country broke records last week as the latest SDLT deadline passed on 31st March 2025. A sizeable spike in transaction numbers was inevitable following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision not to extend the stamp duty reliefs in the Labour Budget in October 2024. From 1st April the threshold at which SDLT […]
Fire safety responsibility transfers to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Following recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase II report, accountability for fire and building safety will fall under the remit of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) from 1st April 2025. Previously the Home Office was responsible for fire and building safety with the report’s authors critical of the ‘dispersed’ […]
Sixth iteration of BASPI released
The sixth iteration of the Buying dataset, known as BASPI, has been published by trade and representative bodies representing the legal, surveying, estate agency and property management sectors, including The Conveyancing Association.The updates include tweaks to existing questions and new ones focused on electric charging points, flat roofs on properties, energy-efficiency retrofitting activity, and further information […]
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 […]
‘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 […]
PEXA appoints Miguel Sard as Non-Executive Director as momentum gathers in UK market
PEXA Group Limited (PEXA), the world-leading digital property exchange and data insights platform, today announces the appointment of Miguel Sard as UK Non-Executive Director to bolster the company’s strategic growth in the region. He takes up the role with immediate effect. Sard brings over 20 years of extensive leadership experience in the banking and property […]
Digital property packs a good idea say consumers – Survey
Digital property packs are a good idea say four in five consumers but the gap between their understanding of property transactions, and the reality, is driving delays, a lack of transparency, and inefficiencies in the property market. A recent survey of home movers identified 82% of consumers believe Digital Property Packs are a good idea, […]
Barclays says it will guarantee completions for CoTs submitted before 25th March
Barclays has joined Lloyds Banking Group in issuing advice to conveyancers to submit Certificates of Title by 25th March to ensure completion ahead of the SDLT changes at the end of March. Lee Chiswell, Head of Mortgages at Barclays, said: “We’re pleased to see incredibly strong demand for mortgages right now, thanks to a combination […]