After much to-ing and fro-ing in relation to the implementation of VAT to be added to Council (Official) Local Authority Searches, HMRC has now confirmed that the proposed changes are due to be implemented on the 4th July 2016.
The reasons for the delay are as a result of practical difficulties in implementing the change and the short notice given to local authorities to amend their ordering processes.
HRMC have agreed to defer the adjustment to coincide with the launch of the new CON29 form however there is a separate review of the proposed changes to determine if VAT should be added at all.
Lisa Summerton, Sales & Marketing Director, at Searches UK commented:
“There has been some uncertainty about the changes being proposed for Council (Official) Local Authority Searches and how this will affected prices as a whole. At present, it is unknown whether some authorities will lower their prices to absorb the effect of the VAT implementation or whether authorities will add the VAT to the searches resulting in higher prices when ordering directly from the Councils. Searches UK will continue to do their utmost to ensure clients are kept informed about what it happening throughout this time and continue to offer our fixed price Regulated (Personal) Authority Searches as an alternative to the council’s reports for those wanting continuity in pricing alongside an efficient service and quality search result.
“Our Regulated (Personal) Local Authority Searches are all carried out by local and expert agents and include full details on planning, building regulations & highways information.”
Searches UK’s range of searches are endorsed by the Search Code and are covered by £2 million PI insurance as well as a further £2 million information accuracy cover.
Offering a full range of both residential and commercial searches, tailored bundles can also be put together for clients dependent on their needs and can be pre-populated on an intuitive and advanced ordering platform offering enhanced hazard alerts to reduce a conveyancers risk on files more than ever before.
As a supplement to the core product offering and as an added benefit of using Searches UK, practical reimbursement schemes for homebuyers, membership schemes, quotation software, case management systems and risk & compliance information are also made available.
For more information about any of the products and services from Searches UK visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+. Alternatively call directly on 0800 043 1815 or email them at info@searchesuk.co.uk to speak to one of their dedicated team today.
This article was submitted to be published by Searches UK as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
