Legal
How agents can & should protect vendors from dual fees
"In today’s competitive housing market, it is not uncommon for sellers to move agents", says Paul Offley.
Majority of leaseholders think service charges are ‘unfair’
Nearly three-quarters of recent leasehold buyers think service charges are "unfair", according to some new research, while nearly all (96%) would like more transparency over how charges are spent.
What ‘material information’ should be legally required on property listings?
"Consumers want more information", says National Trading Standards's Estate and Letting Agency team, as it launches a survey to find out what property agents think should be essential on all portal listings.
On stamp duty deadlines & search insurance
Local search indemnity insurance has come to the fore as buyers look to beat the new stamp duty deadlines, writes Lucy Barber.
Osborne Clarke recruits new real estate partner
Richard Wilkinson has joined law firm Osborne Clark from DLA Piper.
Court rules on ‘secret’ broker commissions
Brokers should owe a "duty of loyalty" to borrowers, rules the Court of Appeal, in a judgement that provides "much-needed clarity" to the mortgage industry.
UK real estate & the Register of Foreign Owners: New registration requirements, explained
As a transparency measure, the Government is set to introduce a Register of People with Significant Control over Overseas Companies owning UK real estate.
Tax advisor fined for Stamp Duty avoidance
A well-known tax advisor has been fined for allegedly avoiding Stamp Duty, after losing an appeal against a First Tier Tribunal.
High Court dismisses high-profile Southbank site valuation dispute
A High Court judge has "dismissed in its entirety" a dispute over the valuation of a prime development plot on London's Southbank.
Law Society licenses proptech firm to provide up-front sales info
Gazeal says that pre-filled Protocol Forms can shave two weeks off transactions times...
Cripps Pemberton Greenish bolsters resi team with PCL specialist
Zainab Dakhil has joined the top 100 law firm from Royds Withy King.
New valuation guidance for cladding-hit flats
New guidance has been published that clarifies types of properties which will, and those which will not, require additional inspections, as a result of concerns about fire safety.