Have your say in the latest SDLT consultation
Following other recent stamp duty changes and even calls for scrapping stamp duty (SDLT) altogether, the Government are now holding an open consultation surrounding changes to the filing and payment process. The idea is to make filing and payment processes more efficient as well as minimise the compliance burden for HMRC and its customers. In […]
Applications must go to correct address from September
Land Registry applications must go to the new address from 1st September, as this may affect the priority of your application.
Dispute Process at Land Registry
Many of you will be familiar with lodging applications at Land Registry but I want to explain what happens if an objection is received to an application. For example Mr A claims that he has a right of way over a footpath which crossed Mr B’s garden. He lodges an application and Land Registry notifies […]
Urgent call for housing supply focus, following Brexit
The Government are pressured to put more focus on the ongoing issue of housing supply, following recent reports.
Revealed: the top reasons Land Registry rejected applications
These are the most common reasons why Land Registry rejected applications over the last twelve months. The most common reason listed was “defective application” followed by “identity information not supplied for all parties by conveyancer” – responsible for nearly a quarter of all rejections. Land Registry say less than 1% of applications are rejected. According […]
SLC call for scrapping of Stamp Duty
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers have called for the scrapping of SDLT, saying that doing so would help create a more buoyant and vibrant property market. The SLC call echoes that of right wing think tank the Taxpayers Alliance who have also called for the scrapping of HS2 and the so-called Sugar Tax on soft […]
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 0.25%
The Bank of England has cut the base rate to 0.25%, the first time the rate has been changed in seven years. The previous rate of 0.5% was already a historic low. Many central banks across the world have already resorted to negative interest rates. MPC vote to cut #BankRate to 0.25% and for a […]
The challenges and implications of the General Data Protection Regulation
General data protection regulation will become law in July 2018 and will affect every organisation that processes EU residents’ personally identifiable information. Philip Tansley, Legal Director for Technology and Cyber Risk at RPC LLP, on the regulators views and the claims that are shaping those views. The effect of Brexit upon GDPR remains to be […]
Right to Invest launched in Barking and Dagenham
An east London council has moved a step closer to being the first in the country to offer its council tenants the opportunity to take up shared ownership of their council property. The Right to Invest Scheme has now been running for a month and aims to provide affordable home ownership option for council tenants […]
Conveyancing Association calls for reform of leasehold transactions
The Conveyancing Association has called for an overhaul in how leasehold transactions are processed. The CA have listed a number of recommendations which they think will end the significant delays and overcharging that takes place. With a growing number of leasehold transactions taking place each year across all UK regions – 260,000 in 2015 up […]
Committee Chair responds to Land Registry privatisation consultation
Tory MP and Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has expressed concerns over the potential privatisation of Land Registry. Whilst stating he is not generally opposed to privatisation as a whole, the MP for Harwich & North Essex, Bernard Jenkin states he believes Land Registry’s data should remain within the state. Writing […]
Search Acumen comment on HMRC Stamp Duty Statistics
Search Acumen Director shares his thoughts on the latest HMRC Quarterly Stamp Duty Statistics
Brexit and the Call For Evidence
James Sherwood-Rogers, Chairman of COPSO discusses the implications of Brexit and privatisation of Land Registry on the housing market.
Conveyancing Data Services – July Reflections
CDS Sales Director, Richard Pickles shares his views on Brexit and implications for the property market.
Midnight deadline on second home SDLT supposed to “minimise distortions”
The midnight deadline for the 3% stamp duty surcharge on additional properties was supposed to minimise any distortion in the marketplace according to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke MP. Speaking at a session of the public bill committee, the MP for South West Hertfordshire also confirmed that so-called “Granny Annexes” would be […]
Home ownership rates stable after decade of decline
Home ownership rates are stable across England for the first time since 2003 according to the English Housing Survey for 2014/15. According to the report there were 14 million owner-occupiers in 2014/15, with 80% of those that applied for a mortgage given one. Statistics also say 52,500 have bought through the Right to Buy scheme […]
New Housing and Justice Secretaries in Theresa May’s Cabinet
Gavin Barwell has been made housing minister, replacing Brandon Lewis. Barwell is now minister of state for housing and planning. As well as housing, the MP for Croydon Central is now also minister for London at the Department for Communities and Local Government, under new DCLG minister Sajid Javid. Brandon Lewis is now minister of […]
Housebuilding dips further as report calls on Government to build 50% more
Private house building work dropped for a second successive month according to the Office for National Statistics Output in the construction industry dropped 3.5% in May compared with April for private house building. However private work is still up 3.7% on a year ago. it comes as a new report from the House of Lords […]
Landmark decision means lenders will be able to recover full costs in event of negligent valuations
The Court of Appeal has issued a landmark judgment in a professional negligence case that will have wide-ranging ramifications for lenders. The decision also sets a new precedent, in that it changes the legal principle of causation. Banks, building societies, asset based lenders and surveyors will be affected by the eagerly-awaited decision that means lenders […]
Proposed social care plans impact equity release
Experts have shared their thoughts on the proposed dementia tax and the potential impact it could have on the ability of pensioners to top-up their income through equity release.
