We are at the last Conveyancing Matters video of 2024 - so Lorraine and Stu have a news review for you!

They look back at some of the highlights for Conveyancing Matters and the main stories that have been keeping conveyancers awake!

Stu and Lorraine send their best wishes for the festive season to all their subscribers, friends and contacts!

Remember, this is just a chat and our opinions, not advice!

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www.adaptlaw.co.uk

In this latest Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine are joined by Noel Hunter, OBE

Noel is the Chair of the Consumer Code for Homebuilders and gives some vital clarity relating to the various new home codes of practice

The 2 October 2024 Consumer Code for Homebuilders newsletter refers to 'misinformation risks' and 'confusion' for new build homebuyers and builders and opens with the punchy lines:

'We were disappointed to read reports quoting the New Homes Ombudsman stating that where builders are not signed up to their scheme, people will be left without the help they need. As our members know, this is not the case.'

Noel clarifies the position of the New Homes Ombudsman and the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) - as clarifies that, as yet, there is no statutory Code in place and builders / developers have a choice of which Code to join

Noel also updates Stu and Lorraine on the improvements made to the Consumer Code for Homebuilders, which are now in force.  All conveyancers and their clients will be interested to discover that the Code now includes a 14 day cooling off period for new home buyers - not before time, many would think

As ever, Noel is an authoritative and interesting guest

Are you confused about the NHQB and the New Homes Ombudsman?  Get some clarity by going to https://consumercode.co.uk/

Remember, this is just a chat and our opinions, not advice!

www.conveyancing-matters.co.uk

In this Conveyancing Matters, Lorraine and Stu chat to presenter, journalist and blogger, Lexie Carducci

Lexie is a vibrant and interesting guest and has some good advice for those who are navigating the property market

Interestingly, despite Lexie's online presence, she still thinks that one of the most important parts of succeeding in the property market is connections - so don't give up on those networking opportunities!

And Lexie tells Lorraine and Stu one of the most bizarre property tales they have heard - listen out for the story about the bomb!

Are your connections and network still important to  you in your property journey? 

In this week's Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu talk about a topic that is never far from the property press - prop tech.  There are many prop tech providers out there who want to make progress of a conveyancing chain transparent to everyone in the chain - but as Lorraine and Stu discuss, this is often not possible

The simple fact is that everyone has forgotten the C word - confidentiality

Let us know what you think - how important is confidentiality?  

This week on their Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine talk about key undertakings

 What should sellers and their conveyancers say when receiving a request from a buyer to have access to the property between exchange and completion to do some work to the property?

 It seems like a reasonable enough request - the property is empty and the buyer wants to get a bit done to the property before they complete

 But is this a good idea for sellers or buyers?

 What do you say when you get a request for access to do work to a property?

Unbelievably, Stu and Lorraine have released their Summer 2024 Conveyancing Matters news chat!

Lorraine has been on Radio 4 since they last chatted - on 'You and Yours' on 02.09.2024  talking about indemnity insurance!

Where is this year going?

Much of it has been taken up with controversy about Material Information and the fall out for conveyancers. Stu and Lorraine talk about this and lots of other topics, including CLC guidance on source of funds/wealth, leasehold reform and various HMLR updates.

They also remind property colleagues to save the date! The next Conveyancing Matters Networking Event is in London on 13 November 2024. Details to follow!

Remember, this is just a chat and our opinions, not advice!

www.conveyancing-matters.co.uk

https://www.pcslegal.co.uk
https://www.adaptlaw.co.uk

On this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu discuss a sensitive topic for estate agents - sales progressors.

 There are, of course, many excellent estate agents supporting conveyancers.  But there are a lot of sales progressors who do not interact well with the conveyancer on a transaction and we would argue, in many cases, do not speed the progress of a matter.

 Lorraine and Stu  worked out that conveyancers probably spend on average 2 hours per day dealing with chaser calls and emails from estate agents - that is a whole working day per week when conveyancers are not doing conveyancing work. Is this a good use of conveyancers time?

 Lorraine and Stu acknowledge that conveyancers should try to keep their agents up to date, where the client permits them to do so.

In this week's Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine continue to think about the fall out regarding the clumsy handling of the roll out of the 5th edition of the Property Information Form

 This has led to confusion and discord amongst conveyancers 

 The Law Society has confirmed that the new form is not compulsory for CQS firms until next January, but the issue could have been avoided if conveyancers who are at the coal face doing the work had been consulted in the first place - how often do we find ourselves saying that?

          Ask the people who are doing the job!