William Bain MP tabled a question in the House of Commons relating to the number of people who could potentially benefit from the Help to Buy scheme in the UK and individual regions. The Chancellor

The latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. has revealed a 0.5% increase in average rent in March, taking UK rent to an average of £735. This increase followed a four-month downward trend and

Quick house sale providers offer to buy a house or find a third party buyer very quickly, usually at a discount from the full market value. The OFT yesterday (18th May) launched a study into

A new report shows that the percentage of dissatisfied users of legal services has increased in the last three years. According to the YouGov SixthSense report, the percentage of consumers during that period has remained

The Business Minister Michael Fallon announced today the appointment of Ed Lester as the new Chief Executive of the Land Registry. He succeeds Malcolm Dawson OBE who has been in post since March 2011. Mr

The Law Society has announced the appointment of property law expert Jonathan Smithers as their next Deputy Vice President. Mr Smithers, partner at Tunbridge Wells-based firm CooperBurnett, will take up the role of Deputy Vice

Ernst & Young’s Item Club has predicted that the Chancellor’s ‘Help to Buy’ measures will trigger a sharp increase in house moves. In good news for conveyancers, they believe levels will be boosted from their

According to the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders the number of first-time buyers increased by 3% in February. 16,400 first time buyer loans were advanced in February, marking a 17% increase on

In the last few days both the FT and BBC News have raised questions about the way in which estate agents operate. Sell it yourself? The BBC asked whether, in the face of high estate

Concern about financial stability was one of the key issues identified in the latest thematic review by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Whilst financial stability was seen as the biggest risk to firms undertaking conveyancing,

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reassured firms using Balva Insurance for their professional indemnity cover. Balva was told on 1 March that it cannot underwrite any new business in the United Kingdom. This restriction

35%, or 8.6 million people, would be unable to pay their rent or mortgage from their savings for more than a month. According to statistics released by charity Shelter 18%, or 4.4 million people, would

Last month we reported that Andersons Solicitors had been removed from a number of lender panels ahead of a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing. The hearing was to consider whether they had misled their clients regarding

Conveyancing Liability Solutions Limited (CLS) has announced the launch of TitleChecker, a new title interrogation report that examines Land Registry records and the relevant sections of the CML Handbook Part 1 and Part 2. TitleChecker

According to the latest figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change over 9,000 Green Deal (GD) assessments have been lodged since the scheme launched in January. The Green Deal (GD) was launched on

45% predict the average UK house price will rise in the next twelve months according to the latest Halifax Housing Market Confidence tracker. Only 12% felt prices were likely to decline. The survey revealed that the

The Legal Services Board has approved a new route to becoming a chartered legal executive. Currently, to become a chartered legal executive (also known as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives –

We reported in March that the Law Society of Scotland had voted on the issue of separate representation. Following discussion at their AGM on 22nd March, they voted in favour of introducing mandatory separate representation

The total number of residential valuations conducted in March rose for the sixth consecutive month, taking them to a level not seen since March 2007. According to the latest Housing Market Activity Report by Connells

According to the latest LSL House Price Index over the last year prices have risen by an average of £6,700. The majority of this increase can be attributed to significant increases in London. If London

Myhomemove, have announced the agenda for their conference to be held at the Heritage Motor Centre on 17th April. The event will include a line-up of guest speakers sharing cutting-edge industry knowledge, a gala dinner

70% of UK homeowners believe the current price of their property reflects its actual value. The Legal & General quarterly Mortgage Mood survey found that 5% of those surveyed believe their current house price is

The Council for Mortgage Lenders have published the results of an extensive YouGov survey into attitudes to home ownership. The survey found that 79% of British adults would like to be home-owners in 10 years’

‘Anything can be made to work if you fiddle with it for long enough’ Now, where did we get to in the first part? Oh yes, we looked at some history, looked at the notion

According to the March RICS survey, both sales per surveyor and newly agreed sales have risen over the last month. Sales per surveyor rose by 3.4% on the month to 17.4, the highest level in

As many as a quarter of all law firms making professional indemnity insurance (PII) applications do not know whether their insurance broker has full access to all insurers prepared to insure their firm. A Law

Blacks Connect have launched an insurance policy that will reimburse many of the costs of moving home if the purchase falls through. The service will be offered free of charge to customers. The announcement comes

I am regularly contacted by firms asking advice about how to get back onto a lenders panel once they have been removed. Unfortunately by then the damage is done. Often I listen to the facts

Today many will remember different aspects of Margaret Thatcher’s politics. It seems appropriate for us to consider the impact that she had on the conveyancing profession. Whatever you think of her politics, Margaret Thatcher’s policies

The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has announced a number of regional events which will cover a number of key issues impacting the profession. The half day road shows will commence on the 16th April

The CLC has launched a consultation on the issue of standalone licences. Currently the CLC is only able to issue licences extending the scope of reserved legal services provided (such as probate or litigation services)

Conveyancing Data Services Ltd has announces the expansion of its sales team, with the addition of Richard Pickles as a National Sales Manager. Mr Pickles was previously the Sales Director at MDA/Transaction Online where he