One month to go: Government yet to publish new AML regs
New EU anti-money-laundering rules are due to be implemented exactly one month from today, but lenders, brokers, estate agents and introducers are still waiting on the final details…
European property firm faces €14.5m GDPR fine for ‘data cemetery’
Deutsche Wohnen, which has a portfolio of 165,500 homes, has been handed a huge fine by Berlin’s GDPR regulator
Required Reading: Understanding the upcoming changes to Private Residence Relief
The government is planning some major changes to a long-standing tax break next year, which could deter (even more) people from moving – and have big implications for certain landlords. Here’s Jane Lindop with the need-to-know on PRR…
What is a flat? Court of Appeal delivers important decision in Mayfair enfranchisement case
Last week, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in an appeal concerning a residential block on Mayfair’s Park Lane, which clarifies the definition of a ‘flat’ for the purposes of enfranchisement. Forsters’ property litigation team, who successfully acted for the residents, summarise the key facts and implications…
Countrywide fined over £10m client fund transfer
Agency summoned to disciplinary hearing at the RICS in Birmingham over alleged failure to safeguard client funds
Who will watch the watchmen: On dirty money & estate agency
The government is finally stepping up the fight against the tide of ‘dirty money’ flowing through the UK property market, but estate agents shouldn’t be the first line of defence, argues Saul Empson…
£325bn in suspect cash funnelled through the UK via high-end service providers
‘Groundbreaking’ analysis by Transparency International investigates 400 corruption and money laundering cases involving law firms, estate agencies, banks, mortgage firms and interior designers…
Hardwicke names new practice director
Carolyn McCombe will take over from Deborah Anderson in December
Buyer in £35k SDLT fail over ‘grounds’ definition
Couple claimed their £1.5m Hertfordshire property should be classified as mixed-use, and therefore taxed at the lower rate
Kingsley Napley recruits a new Real Estate partner
Irwin Mitchell’s Ian Silverblatt has joined London law firm Kingsley Napley, as a partner in the Real Estate & Construction team
Developer ordered to stump up £300k after felling ‘irreplaceable’ giant redwood
Magnificent 176-year-old tree was one of the earliest introductions of the species in Britain
Super-prime Chelsea scheme embroiled in Vatican ‘scandal’
The redevelopment of the former Harrods depository on Sloane Avenue is at the centre of an investigation by the Vatican into the use of $200m in funds…