The recently published ‘number and types of transactions for value’ released by HM Land Registry (HMLR) suggest that HMLR failed to complete applications anywhere close to the average in April. Overall, the data indicated that

New research suggests that post-financial crisis regulatory changes have severely restricted many first-time buyers from climbing on to the property ladder over the past decade. According to the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association’s (IMLA) ‘First-time buyers:

Wednesday Today was particularly exciting – well in the world of a conveyancer it was! I had a chain complete! I have only had one chain complete during lockdown and I had forgotten the wait

The leading warranty and insurance provider for new build homes, the NHBC, has announced the appointment of Alan Rubenstein as new Chair. Currently serving on NHBC’s board as a nonexecutive director, Mr Rubenstein undertakes his

The property market enjoyed its busiest day yesterday since lockdown was introduced. Purchase mortgage search volume was 25 per cent higher yesterday than any other time since lockdown restrictions were introduced, according to Twenty7Tec mortgage

The majority of conveyancing firms surveyed by Today’s Conveyancer last week believe the market has shrunk to below 50 per cent of what it was at this time last year. Today’s Conveyancer wants to understand

In our recent Ask an Expert series, Chris Harris interviews Rob McKellar, Head of Practice for Residential Conveyancing and Head of Strategic Growth for Consumer Legal Services at Slater & Gordon Lawyers. The pair discuss

A cross-industry group working within the property sector have written an open letter to the government imploring them to offer ‘greater flexibility’ in the furlough scheme. Currently, employers can only move their staff in and

In our recent Ask an Expert series, Chris Harris interviews David Jabbari, CEO of innovative conveyancing provider Muve. The pair discuss the state of the market during the Covid-19 situation, the impact increasing mergers and

The property freeze has been lifted but the sector remains in a strange no-mans land, caught between the extremes of pre-lockdown working and total market lockdown. Social distancing responsibilities now drive the way the sector

Homeowners struggling financially at the current time are able to extend their mortgage holiday by an additional three months from today. It is estimated that 1.8 million homeowners are already utilising the mortgage holiday to

The Law Society of England and Wales is asking the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to extend the solicitors indemnity fund (SIF) cover beyond September’s intended cut off point. Although the SRA intended to close the

Despite some firms struggling to renew their PII in March, experts are assuring the sector that there are deals to be done, but firms must prepare. The spread of Covid-19 in the UK coincided with

Residential property transactions last month had more than halved since the recorded figures from April 2019. According to recent HM Revenue and Customs data, 46,440 residential transactions were completed in April; 53 per cent fewer

Early indications suggest that the property market is bouncing back with Rightmove site interactions above 2019 levels, new instructions rising and sales agreed increasing. Full property viewings on Rightmove are now stronger than 2019 levels,

The Government has conceded that deadlines to ensure all remediation work on the removal of dangerous cladding on buildings by June will not be met. Unfortunately, the recent lockdown has meant that many remediation projects

The mortgage slowdown during lockdown seems to have impacted prospective buyers more than homeowners. Those looking to purchase a property for the first time seem to have delayed their home move during lockdown or were

The property Ombudsman experienced a 20 per cent spike in formal complaints last year according to its annual report for 2019. Similarly to other years. communication and record keeping were the most complained about elements

The housing market has been open for a week and activity has been steadily increasing since the announcement that the sector was released from lockdown. In the past week we have had governmental updates on

The number of active conveyancing firms in the UK has fallen to its lowest ever levels since the tracker was launched in 2011. At the start of 2020, there were 4,135 active conveyancing firms. However,

Over the past four weeks, the number of searches for purchase mortgages has increased by 109 per cent as the reopening of the property market stimulates buying and selling. According to mortgage data from Twenty7Tec,

What a difference a week makes! It has been seven days since the property market was released from the lockdown and early indications suggest that market activity is buoyant and constantly increasing. However, eight days

Recent Rightmove data indicates that the property market needs to prepare for an immediate surge in demand after home-mover visits to the site exceeded 5.2 million on Wednesday 13th May. This figure represented a 4

Homeowner mortgages in arrears increased slightly between the final quarter of 2019 and the opening quarter of 2020. There were 72,380 homeowner mortgages in arrears of more than 2.5 per cent in the opening quarter

Since lockdown, the property market freeze has created a worrying environment for all stakeholders in the home buying and selling process. The inability for surveyors to complete physical surveys and valuations, in particular at the

The property market freeze has placed an incredible strain on all businesses and stakeholders involved in the home buying and selling process. Law firms have been forced to make difficult decisions in order to save

The reopening of the property market has had an immediate positive impact on mortgage activity according to recent data. Whilst Twenty7Tec’s mortgage statistics for the week ending May 13 suggested that both search and document

Yesterday, the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced the restart of the property market, claiming it was an opportunity to ‘restart and renew’. Amongst his comments, Mr Jenrick highlighted the importance of opening the market and

The property sector is collectively breathing a cautious yet overwhelming sigh of relief today following the reopening of the property market. According to data analytics organisations, this means the estimated 163,000 properties worth £55 billion

The Law Society of England and Wales is urging law firms to remain cautious when entering ‘unchartered waters’ as the lockdown restrictions are lifted and legal businesses are free to work form their offices. Simon

A cross-industry guide, co-authored by a number of residential sector and professional organisations’ representatives, has been launched today in a bid to provide practical guidance on how to ensure all aspects of the home buying

Removers were among the home buying and selling industries offered safe moving guidelines to ensure their transition back into work is smooth and safe. The sector was already gearing up for a return after removal