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Property portal Zoopla has suggested the housing market has continued to recover in the early part of 2023 as buyer demand for homes reached its highest level of the year after Easter. Indeed, buyer demand
A new report has revealed the top eight types of property most at risk of fraud with the aim of helping to prevent property professionals from unwittingly enabling fraud or money laundering. According to Thirdfort,
The power of artificial intelligence (AI) has reverberated around the world in recent months. Whether driven by excitement, concern, or apathy, many have asked: what does it all mean for conveyancing? The answer to this
This year’s spring selling season has begun on a positive note with a slight uptick in the number of property transactions, new data from HM Land Registry (HMLR) has revealed. Specifically, the number of residential
New data collated by Landmark Information Group has revealed mortgage availability remains “significantly subdued” following uncertainty in Q4 2022 despite the market showing some signs of recovery. Landmark’s newly released Q1 Residential Property Trends report
New research has painted the picture of a “remarkably robust” residential property market that may now be on an upward trend. This comes despite some suggestions from commentators towards the end of last year that
Smoove plc has this morning confirmed that it is in early discussions with PEXA Group Limited regarding a possible cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of the company.
The Law Society has confirmed solicitors’ overall duty to advise on climate legal risks in transactions and, as many predicted, conveyancers’ initial response has been frosty. Conveyancers have been consistent in their stance, feeling as
A new amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill with the potential to offer some reprieve amidst the building safety crisis is set to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday. The
A brand-new digital synchronised settlement prototype promising to “bring fully digital property transactions a step closer” has been revealed. The prototype is born of collaboration between the Bank of England (BoE), HM Land Registry (HMLR),
A new digital hub has been unveiled with the ambition of “connecting the home-moving market” through improved data sharing systems between each part of the property industry. LandmarkConnect, developed by Landmark Information Group, ultimately aims
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reaffirmed its commitment to helping borrowers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through green home finance. In essence, said the FCA, a green mortgage refers to a
The Law Society of England and Wales has confirmed conveyancing solicitors’ overall duty to advise on climate legal risks when acting in transactions – though solicitors have been told they “should not advise on climate
New analysis of Bank of England data has found the number of property transactions backed by a lender is down over 7% amidst several successive interest rate rises. Specifically, the figures show that in the
When is a “new-build” property no longer a new-build? New research has looked at the implications of losing new-build status for those looking to sell in the current market. There is wide agreement amongst key
Data from property portal Rightmove has revealed sales agreed have all but returned to pre-pandemic levels for the first time since September’s mini-budget. Specifically, the number of sales being agreed now stands just 1% behind
The government has set out its plans for the “failure to prevent fraud” (FTPF) offence contained in a recent amendment to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. The offence is intended to mirror existing
Over half of conveyancers say they have ceased their involvement with transactions of leasehold properties affected by the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) as a myriad of issues related to the “car crash” legislation have
Trade and representative bodies representing the legal, surveying, estate agency and property management sectors have announced the launch of the fourth iteration of the Buyer and Seller’s Property Information (BASPI) form. The BASPI, developed by
Business insights start-up Valafy has launched a new quarterly market intelligence report into the conveyancing sector which its co-founder says could help conveyancers “[ensure] fees can be set and kept as a reasonable level”. Valafy,
The Residential Logbook Association (RLBA) has announced the launch of its Register of Logbooks aiming to provide conveyancers with direct access to a verified record of logbooks for UK addresses. The Register of Logbooks, which
New data has revealed UK residential property transactions began to recover in February 2023 with commentators suggesting there are ‘plenty of reasons to be positive’ heading into Q2. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said the
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced it will not be conducting a review of the list of reserved legal activities in the imminent future. Certain legal activities are restricted – or reserved – by
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England has raised interest rates by 25 basis points from 4% to 4.25%. This 11th consecutive increase – voted for 7-2 by the MPC – comes
The Ministry of Justice has announced £3 million of investment aiming to “turbocharge” the development and use of technology in the legal sector. CodeBase and Legal Geek will receive the funding as new providers of
The Industry Working Group’s final report on the electronic execution of documents has failed to agree on a way forward for eSignatures following “mixed views both internally and externally” regarding the certification and accreditation of
A national conveyancing firm has suggested its new integration with ChatGPT signals a “new era for conveyancing”. Stockport-based ONP Group says the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot will remove administration tasks for its conveyancers as well
Legal technology startup Collaborative Conveyancing has announced the hiring of a new Strategic and Conveyancing Advisor in its mission to reduce the burden of enquiries on practitioners. New arrival Marion Palmann is described as “one
[Video] To mark National Conveyancing Week 2023, members of Shoosmiths’ conveyancing team reflect on what it is like to work in the industry and why more people should consider it as a career option. Shoosmiths’
Several property industry commentators have made clear their disappointment with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s budget on Wednesday with the set of policies described as one of “missed opportunities”. First-time buyers “The nation’s first-time buyers are currently
New data has revealed the average conveyancing caseload per firm increased by 79% over the last decade amidst soaring transactions and a drop in those undertaking work. What’s more, a fresh study has suggested demand
The cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has raised several concerns in its most recent report after considering the Building Safety (Leaseholder Protections) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations). The Regulations correct an