At the SLC conference, held last Wednesday, 150 delegates from across the profession debated a number of key issues.
A number of attendees raised concerns about the Green Deal and the additional responsibilities it would bring to conveyancers, both in identifying whether a property had any Green Deal finance attached and if it did, in tracking down the relevant, up to date EPC and any supporting information.
Despite reassurances that the responsibility for declaring any Green Deal finance attached to a property would rest firmly with the seller, few were convinced, with many fearing it would inevitably result in more work for the conveyance.
The SLC said they will be looking to work closely with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and other relevant parties to get more clarification for their members over the next few months.
The SLC also used the day to launch its own lender panel proposition, SLC Quality Assured (SLCQA).
Mike Ockenden of the SLC provided attendees with an update on the current proposition, advising that it is now in its pilot phase and will be presented to lenders over the coming weeks.
Simon Law, Chairman, Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) said: “We had a great turn out at this year’s conference.
“With our speakers covering such a broad range of topics, all so relevant to our industry, I am confident that everyone will have taken away something from the event.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors, PSG, CLS, STL and TM Group for their on-going support along with all of those who attended the conference this week.”
Other presentations included a look at compliance and the Bribery Act to money laundering, the NHBC’s new Buildmark system and lenders’ panels.
Jaunita Gobby from Legal Eye explored the current state of compliance across the industry, before talking delegates through how to conduct a mini health check on their own business and the importance of risk assessments. She also announced the launch of Legal Eye’s own new quality standard.
Boyd Hackett from the NHBC presented an update on the new, online Buildmark system, which provides conveyancers with instant access to NHBC Buildmark cover information and associated documents.
John Jones of the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) provided an update on ABS, the CLC’s continued commitment to education and training and its motivations for looking to expand into other areas such as litigation and advocacy.
John was followed by Ben Nduva of Ordnance Survey, and Tim Platel, who covered some of the issues surrounding money laundering.
