The CML have reported the July lending figures. Volumes of house purchase loans were up 7% on June at 56,000 with remortgage volumes unchanged at 28,000 transactions. First time buyer loans declined by 2% from
Ntegrity the professional insurance broker firms have issued an update on the solicitors’ professional indemnity market and allowed us to reproduce it. We think you might find it interesting 2010 SOLICITORS’ PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY UPDATE 13
This week a body set up by the previous government delivered its findings on the role of condition information in the home buying and selling process, and offered ideas for the provision of new products
Brian Rogers, a non-lawyer partner at Lewis Hymanson Small, who specialises in regulatory and compliance issues, discusses the best course of action for firms contacted by the SRA with Today’s Conveyancer. Over the past few
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers have reminded conveyancers of the increasing risk from fraud. Their latest advice is published below and should be read and considered by all conveyancers. The Continuing Fight against Fraud August
Barratt Developments issued their results for the year this week and warned that the housing market is still not out of the woods, as mortgage finance continues to be difficult to secure and buyers’ confidence
There aren’t many solicitors or conveyancers who would disagree with the assertion that the last couple of years have been extremely difficult for the profession. As well as the slow economy, the market has become
Professional Conveyancing has launched a new cross border conveyancing service for clients moving north. They say that moving to or buying property in Scotland can often be a major headache for people living in England
Conveyancers should be aware of the dangers of “identity fraud”, where criminals adopt a legitimate name of a law firm and use that name as a front for an illegal enterprise. Sebastian O’Kelly, writing in
According to Legal Futures, The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) received complaints in 2008 about the way some conveyancing law firms were advertising their prices. Which has ultimately led to new practice guidance on the advertising
Following the appointment of Sir Bryan Carsberg in June as the E-Homebuying Forum’s first President, Tom Parker, founder and former Managing Director of Quest, has joined the group as the new Chairman. He takes over
The Bank of England today released their assessment of the latest trends in lending to the UK economy, The data set covers the major UK lenders: Banco Santander, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide and
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has produced its annual report for 2009. In 2009 there were 195 licensed conveyancing businesses and the need for one intervention. The number of complaints fell in line with market
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) this week released its product services data (PSD) report for regulated mortgage contracts, for the period between April 2009 and March 2010. There was a substantial decline in mortgage sales
Communities and Local Government has this week released the latest national statistics on fires, casualties, false alarms and non-fire incidents attended by the Fire and Rescue Services in England. These statitics should remind solicitors that
Rightmove, the UK’s most popular property website, has posted a 40% rise in first half profits for the six months to June 30, beating market expectations. The company points to its new approach which encourages
Bovis Homes this week released a positive interim report, with statements that profits are up and cash flow performance is strong. Developers were hit hard by the downturn in the economy but despite subdued forecasts
Figures out this week showed that in the second quarter of this year, the number of new homes built in England rose for the first time since 2007. The Communities and Local Government website stated
Bradford and Bingley is taking legal action against solicitors who, it alleges, encouraged buy to let investors to practice “same day remortgaging” and thereby reap quick profits. Same day remortgaging happens when investors buy property
TM Search Choice is a search supermarket that has direct links to all the local authorities in England and Wales and provides official local authority searches, personal searches, a range of other services to conveyancers
The regular article here at Today’s Conveyancer that seems to draw some attention is the assessment of how firms have done in comparison to their competitors based on Land Registry data. This month it appears
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The CML released a downbeat market forecast this morning, reflecting buyer concern about a possible future hike in interest rates and weak consumer spending. However it’s not all doom and gloom; the good news is
Kirstie Allsopp the well known TV presenter and supporter of Grant Shapps policy to abandon HIPS has vowed to "do something if it kills me " about same day exchange and completions. Whilst there will
The CLC has formally confirmed the rule change so that from 6 October 2010 unhappy clients will be able to take a complaint against a licensed conveyancer to the new independent Legal Ombudsman. The Legal
The E-Home Buying Forum includes members like Salans, Landmark and Oyez. It has recently appointed Sir Bryan Carsberg as its Chairman to help it grow and gain influence over the home moving sector and we
The housing market and the internet have long had a symbiotic relationship: rightmove.com has cornered the market on house hunting, Google Street View can now give nosey homebuyers a good look around their potential local
The number of buy to let mortgages taken out in the second quarter of 2010 was a 13% increase on figures for the previous quarter. Despite a still-subdued market, the number of buy to let
As conveyancers we are all very aware of the threats associated with clients, from money laundering, to husbands ripping off wives through to the issues associated with complaints. You name the external risk and conveyancers
Book Title: The Conveyancer’s Guide to Money Laundering and Mortgage Fraud Publisher: ark Author: Matthew Moore Price:
With talk of increases in stamp duty for properties with the lowest energy efficiency ratings and with the need to reduce energy consumption and saves costs. What improvements can you make to a property to
Many conveyancers have relished the news that Optima have been investigated by the SRA. Some are claiming that by reaching an agreement with the SRA to change its corporate structure and management to avoid further