A 10-minute rule motion on Conveyancing Standards was read in the House of Commons yesterday by Tory MP Marco Longhi, in which a proposal for a Conveyancing Standards Bill was formally discussed and passed at first reading without opposition.
The proposed Bill would establish minimum standards regarding search and assessment of risks for solicitors and licensed conveyancers acting on behalf of property buyers.
Reflecting on the existing system, Longhi said: “[It] has not kept pace with an industry that has become increasingly cut-throat. The system does not offer enough consumer protections for people who are about to make possibly the single most important investment of their lives.”
The idea behind the Bill would be to protect people who wish to purchase property from being exposed to risks which are currently not sufficiently visible or understood when at the point of purchase, according to Longhi.
The MP pointed out that the existing system places no requirement on planning authorities to pursue developers to evidence compliance with planning conditions, while a lack of clarity and understanding placed a greater emphasis on solicitors and licensed conveyancers to make the information clearer to home purchasers.
The second reading is scheduled for the 27 November 2020.
Comments (4)
Never has the phrase “physician heal thyself” been shown to be SO wrong. ( Apologies to anyone that might take offence to me using a biblical reference, I know there are some sensitive souls out there.)
The harsh reality is that solving problems is typically best done with an objective eye.
why would anyone be offended ? if they are they are snowflakes
A non conveyancer (an MP this time) driving changes to conveyancing – always humorous and always a disaster.
Perhaps tack on to his Bill the fact that conveyancers should not be involved in flood and enviro searches are they are surveying matters.
If you look at the two examples that Mr Longhi seems to be basing his Bill/suggestions upon, new build developer behaviour and the maintenance of green spaces on an estate, you have to question his approach.
It looks like developers and councils are the culprits here, suggesting that conveyancers and solicitors should be used to resolve these kinds of issues is way off the mark and will only cause further delays by adding more to the list of matters they have to investigate.
Let’s resolve the important cladding (EWS1) issue before adding to the list.