20% increase on Local Authority CON29 fees from January 2017

20% increase on Local Authority CON29 fees from January 2017

VAT on Local Authority CON29 fees will be introduced on 1st January 2017

After many years of discussions on this matter, HM Revenue and Customs have commanded that VAT charges to Local Authority CON29 searches will take effect from January 1st 2017.

This is the third time in just 12 months that these charges have been proposed. However as a result of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s continuous lobbying, these changes have previously been deferred.

As well as this leading to a slight increase in costs due to the VAT element, conveyancing solicitors should bear in mind that Local Authorities may well take this opportunity to review their fees and charges in general.

Lisa Summerton, Sales Director, at Searches UK said: “After much to-ing and fro-ing and no definitive answers about when VAT was likely to be levied on Council (Official) Local Authority Searches earlier in the year, it has now been announced that this will take effect from the 1st January 2017. With pricing being reviewed regularly by law firms to ensure they are offering the best service at the most competitive price to clients, will this increase result in more lawyers leaning towards Regulated Local Authority Searches? A fixed fee is applied to all of Searches UK’s Regulated Local Authority Searches so as well as making it far easier to provide an accurate quote to clients, in many cases this option further provides a saving compared to a Council Local Authority Search. Regulated Drainage and Water Searches are also available through Searches UK.

“Regulated Searches through Searches UK are processed by a local specialist conveyancing search agent and are covered by our £2 million information accuracy insurance in addition to a further £2 million in PI cover.

“Searches UK is a client focused business that strives to deliver an exceptional service to the solicitors and licenced conveyancers who order through us. Our range of products includes both residential and commercial conveyancing searches such as local authority, drainage and water, environmental, energy and infrastructure, mining, planning and chancel checks.”

For more information about any of the products and services from Searches UK visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+. Alternatively call them 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.

Searches UK

https://www.searchesuk.co.uk

Searches UK is one of the country's leading Conveyancing Search providers.  Founded on the idea that you can combine first-class service with accurate and reliable conveyancing searches without having to compromise, it is our goal to ensure you get the results you need quickly and efficiently. We offer the full range of conveyancing searches, for both residential and conveyancing transactions, which can be ordered along with our Buyer Protect Scheme if required, ensuring that your clients benefit from our unique reimbursement scheme and are protected from some of the associated costs, should the transaction not complete.  We also offer a wide range of title insurance and indemnity policies and can provide fast turnaround times on EPCs, AML ID checks, Asbestos Surveys and Fire Risk Assessments too. All our searches are backed with fully comprehensive PI insurance, giving you complete confidence and peace of mind. We don't use call centres, so when you choose Searches UK, you get direct dial access to one of our skilled conveyancing search specialists, who will have the knowledge and expertise to ensure you get the most accurate results possible at the best value for money. At Searches UK we understand the difficulties you face in dealing with your risk and compliance obligations and we have ourselves been applauded by Legal Eye for having extremely robust systems in place.  In July 2012 we became the first search provider to have been awarded the Legal Eye Quality Standard. As well as being an appointed representative of First Title Insurance plc, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 202103.


Contact: Searches UK Tel: 01273 776625 Email: info@searchesuk.co.uk Address Unit 2, Gemini Business Centre, 136-140 Old Shoreham Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 7BD    

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