Although we are, currently, living in very unprecedented times, the work of our Preston solicitors has not stopped. See our blog, in which we discuss, just what our team have been up to, here. 

More importantly, in order to be an expert at what you do, it is essential to keep up with the latest updates in the wonderful world of residential and commercial property conveyancing. Our team have been working hard to ensure that, despite the uncertainty posed in respect of COVID-19, we are certain that our five-star service and expertise has continued. This has included the following: 

 

- Reviewing updates to the Conveyancing Protocol Forms. As part of the buying and selling process, the Protocol forms play an important role within the conveyancing process, providing vital pieces of information about the property. There have, recently, been updates to one of the main Protocol forms, the Property Information Form, also known as the TA6. Our Preston solicitors have conducted a thorough review of the updates, which are discussed in our blog, here. 

 

- Online Continuing Professional Development Courses. Our team have also been attendees at numerous conveyancing courses, all online of course, to ensure that we hold the most up to date, and specialist knowledge, to assist with your conveyance. These have included: leasehold updates, responding to conveyancing enquiries, and new build updates. All of which, providing useful information to our team that we can pass on via our expert service to our clients. 

 

- Review of the updates to the Conveyancing Protocol. The Conveyancing Protocol, which can be viewed, here, plays an important role within the conveyancing process. The same has, recently, been subject to updates, which our Preston solicitors have been following closely. Here’s what our team have found… 

 

19th August 2019 saw the introduction of the new Conveyancing Protocol, which our Preston solicitors adopt within our transactions. This is because the new Protocol not only provides our team with the most up to date guidance on the conveyancing process, but is also required, as we are accredited by the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). This Scheme provides recognition to firms of solicitors, whom specialise in residential conveyancing and meet the requirements to become accredited. This has never been a problem, for our Preston solicitors, as we continuously maintain a high level of service and professionalism. For more on the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, here. 

 

Firms who are CQS accredited are required to undertake conveyancing transactions, in accordance with the Conveyancing Protocol. The introduction of the new 2019 guidance has brought about a number of important changes, which include the following: 

 

- Making specific provision to confirm that clients should be advised of the ways in which fraudsters can try and conduct fraudulent activity, within the conveyancing process. At MG Legal, this is something that we have always ensured our clients are aware of. We have set clauses within our client care correspondence, our conveyancing guides and our proof of funds request forms. Our team have, additionally, comprised all such important information in this regard, into a trusty guide that you can use to protect yourself against property fraud. See our blog in which we discuss this in detail, here. 

 

- The Protocol goes on to advise further in respect of Building Control certifications, such as FENSA Certificates, required for new window and door installations at the property. It is no longer a requirement to have sight of the original certification document. If evidence can be shown to confirm that the certification was issued, such as via the certifying website, or within the buyer’s local authority search result, this is then sufficient. 

 

- In addition, the protocol advises that enquiries which relate to the seller’s identity should not be raised, unless there is an indicating factor which seems to suggest a fraudulent element. As part of your conveyancing solicitor’s regulatory requirements, we are required to carry out anti-money laundering checks upon all clients. This, therefore, means that additional enquiries, raised by the buyer’s solicitor in such regard, are no longer deemed necessary under the Protocol, if they are of a standard nature. See more on the anti-money laundering checks your conveyancer is required to carry out, here. 

 

- Leasehold properties have also been provided for. The Protocol states that leasehold elements of a property should be made expressly clear to clients, for the avoidance of any doubt in such regard. Clients should be aware of the nature of leasehold properties, any ground rent increases, and other important items of the lease, to which the client is taking on. See our blog, in which our solicitors in Preston discuss all things leasehold, here. 

 

As you can see, there have been a number of important updates within the Protocol, and our team are consistently updating our knowledge, in order that we can provide the best possible service to our valued clients. 

 

So, if you have any conveyancing queries, or would like a fixed-fee quote for our fees, with no hidden extras, contact our team today, at property@mglegal.co.uk. Alternatively, you can submit your enquiry online, here, where our local solicitors will be on hand to assist you.