Today’s Conveyancer talks to Ian Fletcher
Ian is Director of Conveyancing at Move with Us, one of the UK’s leading residential property experts. He has been responsible for conveyancing at the firm since he joined just over 11 years ago, just a month after the firm introduced conveyancing to the business. He recently became Managing Director of the partner network side […]
CLC responds to SLC comments
Earlier this week we reported that a survey conducted by the Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has shown that Licensed Conveyancers do not support all of the Council of Licensed Conveyancers’ (CLC’s) regulatory expansion plans. To see the article please click here. The CLC have responded to the comments saying that they remain committed to […]
Remember, remember the 13th October 2013
The Land Registry have just published the latest edition of Landnet which provides guidance and industry news. The below offers their guidance on overriding interests. For more information please read the latest Landnet bulletin. Sunday 13 October 2013 is a significant date because not only will the Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA 2002) be celebrating its […]
Fraud: Fighting registration fraud together
The Land Registry’s Director of Legal Services, Alasdair Lewis, looks at the contribution the Land Registry is making to the fight against fraud. For more news from the Land Registry please check out their latest Landnet bulletin. Fraud is a challenge. It is a blight that affects all parts of today’s society and everyone in […]
NHBC launches Buildmark Acceptance
The NHBC has launched a new system designed to make the Buildmark cover acceptance process easier. They describe the new online system as simpler and faster. It will offer increased protection for consumers by making it easier to check the home has the benefit of Buildmark cover before exchange. Customers will be able to download […]
Bridging lending on the increase
According to the latest West One Bridging Index the bridging industry has picked up over the last three months. Quarterly gross lending grew by 14% to £399 from £348m in the second quarter of the year. This represents a 65% increase from the same period last year. The improvement has been put down to increased […]
Squatting and adverse possession
The Land Registry have just published the latest edition of Landnet which provides guidance and industry news. The below offers their guidance on squatting and possession. For more information please read the latest Landnet bulletin. Squatting in a residential building was made a criminal offence with effect from 1 September 2012 under section 144 of the […]
SLC members speak out against CLC
A survey conducted by the Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has shown that Licensed Conveyancers do not support all of the Council of Licensed Conveyancers’ (CLC’s) regulatory expansion plans. The survey gauged member’s opinions on the CLC’s plans to expand its regulatory activities into a number of different areas. It was conducted after concerns were […]
Legal Eye expands team
Having won major contracts with several leading legal services companies, Jaunita Gobby is adding to her already highly skilled and motivated team at Legal Eye Ltd with the addition of Paul Bradley in the Yorkshire and North East region. A qualified Lexcel Consultant, Paul has worked in the Legal Services arena for over 10 years, […]
NHBC reveals flat market
The latest figures have shown that 28,151 new homes were registered over the last quarter 2012. The figure was 30,039 for the same period last year. The private sector experienced a 7% decline, with social housing numbers down 5% against Q3 2011 figures. Despite the year-on-year drop the figures represent a 9% increase compared to […]
Burnley based solicitor’s closes suddenly
The Lancashire Telegraph has reported that SFN, based in Red Lion Street, has informed its customers that it has ceased to practise. According to Land Registry figures the firm completed five purchase transactions in July. A spokesman for the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) said it had been notified by SFN that it was closing, and […]
Consultation opens on High Speed Rail compensation
The Department for Transport has announced compensation scheme proposals for those affected by the introduction of HS2. They claim that the proposals will help restore confidence to the property market along the route of HS2 and make it easier for those affected to claim compensation. The proposed schemes go beyond the Statutory Compensation Schemes that […]
Energy trade body criticises government
The Property Energy Professionals Association (PEPA) has criticised the Government for failing to keep track of money meant to be allocated to improving the energy efficiency of UK buildings. A Freedom of Information Act request has revealed that the government is unable to track how £11m of tax payer’s money has been allocated over the […]
Phillip Oldcorn moves on from First Title
Phillip Oldcorn, one of the founders of the First Title Group in 1995, left the business at the end of September and has established Penn Street Partners, a consultancy business which uses niche insurance products to make property and mortgage transactions safer and more efficient, throughout the world. Phillip served First Title Insurance in various […]
Law Firms 2013 and beyond!
The Bold Legal Group is hosting a conference on 15th November in London covering subjects such as: – Lender Panels – Conveyancing Quality Scheme – New TA6 – Chancel Repair Liability – Flood Risks in Property Transactions – Legal Brands; and – Fraud Speakers on the day include Tracey Carr (Financial Crime Manager, Santander), Nick […]
Mortgage guidelines toughened by FSA
Lenders have welcomed the new FSA rules published yesterday that seek to tackle irresponsible lending. The policies have toughened mortgage lending rules to make sure borrowers can only take out deals they can afford. The aim is to prevent any return to irresponsible lending with self-certified mortgages being outlawed. Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgage Policy […]
New restrictions on community value assets
The Land Registry has offered guidance on new Assets of Community Value Regulations that came into force on the 21st September. The changes are part of the Localism Act 2011 and have amended the Land Registration Rules 2003. Local authorities in England must now maintain a list of assets which benefit the local community, such […]
Countrywide announces results
Countrywide Holdings, Ltd, the UK’s largest property services group, yesterday announced its financial results for the quarter ending 30 September 2012. In terms of the groups’ conveyancing results, income in 2012 increased compared to 2011 which they attributed to the introduction of the HSBC contract. However additional operating costs had an impact on profitability. Underlying […]
House value increase of 1.5%
According to the latest data from property website Zoopla the average house value in Britain has increased by ï¿¡3,373 over the last year. This takes the average value to ï¿¡226,369. Despite the annual increase this is down ï¿¡609 from 3 months ago. Property prices in London have continued to rise at a far faster pace […]
More ABS licenses granted
The CLC has awarded Conveyancing Direct Property Lawyers (CDPL) an alternative business structure (ABS) licence. The Hastings-based firm which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of estate agency group Connells. Managing Director, Andrew Palmer said: “We are delighted that approval has finally been granted for CDPL’s ABS licence. “Although plans are yet to be finalised regarding how […]
