LS responds to the SRA’s consultation on the regulation of CC activities
The Law Society has published its response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) consultation on the regulation of consumer credit activities, which closed on 15 December.
TPO issues agency guidelines on Sale By Tender (EAT)
The Property Ombudsman has released guidelines on how agents should handle the controversial Sale By Tender process, which has received criticism within the industry and from MPs and the media.
Money laundering prosecutions are in the pipeline (SJ)
Susanna Heley discusses the three main areas where solicitors should identify risk.
Relationships Between Estate Agents and Conveyancers (IC)
It was interesting to see and read the Conveyancing Association’s Conveyancer/Estate Agent Practice Guide launched in the hope it might help to improve communication between conveyancers and estate agents, and […]
Could the reduction in property price inflation kick start conveyancing? (TC)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) House Price Index for October 2014 was released recently.
Panel backs SRA’s move to ditch regulation of consumer credit work (LF)
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has thrown its weight behind the SRA in arguing that it should no longer regulate consumer credit work.
Cameron launches 20% discount scheme to help first-time buyers (PIE)
The Government has launched a new scheme that will offer 100,000 first-time buyers under the age of 40 a minimum 20% discount on a new-build home.
Next big thing in the property market (TC)
Conveyancers take note – a new national online estate agency site within the UK is set to be released come the New Year. OnTheMarket.com is predicted to be the latest […]
Why is the cost of legal services increasing, despite more competition? (LF)
“Steps must be taken” to find out why the cost of legal services is increasing, despite the changed market and “great number of providers”, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, […]
SRA warns of increased money laundering risk as NCA takes hard line (LF)
There is an increasing risk of law firms failing to have adequate systems and controls to prevent, detect and report money laundering and terrorist financing, the SRA has warned.
How much longer can traditional agents survive, asks Guardian
How much longer can traditional estate agents and letting agents survive, asks Guardian journalist Patrick Collinson – who seems to think the answer is “not very long at all”.
Consumer group says new portal is “rotten deal for home owners” (EAT)
The consumer group HomeOwners’ Alliance has made an outspoken attack on the soon-to-launch property portal OnThe Market, set up by Agents’ Mutual.