Revealed: Property industry needs to improve the well-being of its workers to thrive, according to research report

The well-being of property industry professionals has taken its toll with the economic downturn and cost-of-living crisis, with over a third threatening to quit the sector within the next five years, as the latest annual tmgroup research report revealed.

Despite initial optimism as professionals emerged post-Covid with greater access to home working and flexible working, the ‘Back to the Future’ report shows that over the past year’s pressure cooker environment, the industry is not going far enough to protect the well-being of its workers and has lost focus on its people in the fall-out.

The report reveals that while workplace initiatives, such as access to home working or flexible working hours, deliver a better work/life balance for a quarter of the report’s survey respondents, the number of workers benefitting from this has fallen from the previous year. Other workplace initiatives which drew the most positive impact on employees’ personal well-being were social events, experienced by 15% of respondents, and increased holidays for 11% of respondents, with HR reports suggesting this is a rising trend across all industries.

However, a quarter of people reported not benefitting from any workplace well-being initiatives at all, particularly within the estate agency sector amongst Sales Progressors, Negotiators and Valuers. This is a concern as the industry is already facing a struggle with recruitment and retention of talent.

There was also a marked reduction in staff receiving well-being calls from the previous year. In light of rising caseloads and more prolonged property transactions, employees are in danger of facing increased isolation, particularly those who work remotely. Workplace initiatives such as these are low or no cost, but can have a huge positive impact on staff who have helped firms get through tough times.

Dan Creed, HR Director at tmgroup comments, “A concern is that the positive intention of well-being programmes and well-being calls are starting to decline. Instead, organisations are replacing human intervention with e-cards or self-help initiatives and I am noticing a decline in overall staff well-being in these companies.”

“It is leading to higher rates of absence as well as talent acquisition and retention issues. This will make it more challenging for businesses to manage workloads and will put additional pressure or stress on existing staff – impacting mental health. To counter this, employers should consider measures such as increasing holiday entitlements beyond the basic legal level and possibly introducing initiatives such as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs). According to the CIPD, many businesses now have at least one MHFA per 100 staff.”

With so many property professionals clearly feeling the effects of the previous year and with 2023 looking like it will still be a challenging market, there is understandable demand for change. Solutions are there if business leaders are willing to make big decisions that steer their firms towards a more sustainable future focussing on how well-being initiatives can support their staff.

To find out more about what 850 property professionals had to say about what the industry needs to shape a healthy future in the face of yet more uncertainty, the full ‘Back to the Future’ report is available to download here.

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/revealed-property-industry-needs-to-improve-the-well-being-of-its-workers-to-thrive-according-to-research-report/

Conveyancing Association announce date and venue of 2024 Annual Conference & Charity Dinner

The Conveyancing Association (CA) – the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry – has today (18 May 2023) announced the date and venue for its next Annual Conference & Charity Dinner.

The 2024 event will take place on Tuesday 6^th February at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester, and will cover the theme, ‘Moving Towards The Digital Age’, looking at how conveyancing firms can prepare for, and benefit from, digital-focused solutions within the process.

As usual the Annual Conference will feature a number of presentations and panel sessions and will, once again, be chaired by Chair, Eddie Goldsmith and CA Director of Delivery, Beth Rudolf.

It is open to all CA member firms, legal and affiliate, and attendance can also be secured for non-members for a charge. Registration will open in June.

Sponsorship opportunities exist in areas including stands at the accompanying exhibition, plus post-Conference Drinks Reception and the Charity Dinner which will take place in the evening and will once again be raising money for a worthy cause.

The 2023 CA Annual Conference & Dinner took place in London under the title ‘Change is Coming’ and focused on the future of conveyancing industry in respect of regulation, technology, process, consolidation and much more. The Charity Dinner raised over £3,000 in aid of The Children’s Society.

Nicky Heathcote, Non-Executive Chair of The Conveyancing Association, said:

“The CA Annual Conference and Dinner is such an important date in the diary for the conveyancing industry and the wider market that we wanted to provide all stakeholders with as much advance notice of when and where it will take place in 2024.

“After visiting London this year, in 2024 we’re heading back to Manchester and specifically the Hilton Deansgate Hotel where we plan to put on a fantastic day (and night) for all those who attend.

“To say the 2023 Conference was an absolute eye-opener was an understatement, and our plan is to provide all 2024 Conference delegates and sponsors with an engaging array of sessions, focused on the digital opportunities in our sector but also the wider property market and economy, to help conveyancing firms not just survive but thrive.

“Further information will be revealed next month, including sponsorship opportunities, however if you are keen to get involved right now, then please don’t hesitate to contact the CA Secretariat who will be able to help.”

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/conveyancing-association-announce-date-and-venue-of-2024-annual-conference-charity-dinner/

Solutions are already here – we need the whole industry to adopt them

Earlier this week we held our AGM, followed by our Legal and All-Members’ Meetings and I’d firstly like to thank all those who attended, particularly given the somewhat interesting transport situation we currently have.

That said, we had a very full room, particularly for our Legal/All-Member sessions and for me, part of the joy of the CA, is when we see both practitioner members and our affiliates huddled together in various groups discussing the issues they are currently facing and sharing potential solutions.

These can be from the nitty-gritty of conveyancing work to broader industry-wide initiatives, and we were able to cover off a variety of these particularly during our Lender Engagement Workshop and one that looked at the future vision for digital conveyancing, material information and how we might deliver a more consumer-centric home moving process.

As always, and again this has always struck me as another benefit of CA membership, no-one held back in terms of where they felt there were problems to be addressed but also in terms of the suggested solutions, how they were – for example – getting over any communication problems with lenders or what they wanted to see in terms of securing a better service level between the two parties.

It’s our job as a trade body not just to highlight problems, but to genuinely work with all concerned to find solutions to those problems. We all have to feel that change is possible and that we can find a better way of doing things that benefits all involved in this process.

Again, that collaborative spirit was evident in spades during the meetings and I think we have to perhaps be more vocal in terms of the change we can/have secured and the solutions that clearly already exist that perhaps some are not utilising.

I was reminded of this on reading the Open Letter recently sent by a number of key figures in the property industry to Michael Gove. As, it quite rightly, pointed out the lack of speed and certainty within the home buying/selling process is hugely damaging across the piece.

However, what was also evident – and this was commented on a number of times at our meetings – was that the problems the letter identified all had tangible, existing solutions available to address them, in areas such as ‘greater data sharing, more upfront information, and standardised tools across the industry’.

Many of our affiliate members offer these solutions, many CA member firms already use them, and we as a trade body have been pushing for greater use. But, and this is perhaps the real nub of the issue, without Government mandation right across the industry to use them, then we’ll certainly have a two-tier system and one that can still only work at the speed of those not using these solutions.

There are clear wins to be achieved here and the more the industry can promote what is currently available, the benefits, and how the Government can ensure we deliver the changes necessary and provide greater speed and certainty, the better our process will be.

We’ll keep working towards that, and judging from our recent meetings, we have a highly engaged membership base who understand this, and will continue to support us as we strive for that better process.

Finally, even though we have just finished our latest meetings, I have a few future dates for your diary, which I think you’re going to want to note down.

First up, is the 14^th September for our next series of member meetings. This time we are heading to York and the Grand Hotel, which is a fabulous venue right in the heart of the City. We will be holding a Dinner after the meetings so I hope you’re able to attend.

After that we’ll be holding our final meeting of the year – how odd to be writing that in May – on the 7^th December and once again it will be hosted by our affiliate member, Howden, in London.

And we are also able to announce the date and venue for our 2024 Conference so please put this important date in your diaries. On the 6^th February next year we will be heading to the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester for our full conference programme, followed by a drinks reception and, as usual, our Charity Dinner.

Our theme for next year’s Conference is ‘Moving Towards The Digital Age’, and we’ll be providing you with further information on this and all of the above meetings in due course.

On that note, may I once again thank you for all your engagement. Look out for future information on a number of webinar and training sessions we’ll be offering, and we’ll continue to work on your behalf over the weeks and months ahead.

Nicky Heathcote is Non-Executive Chair at the Conveyancing Association (CA)

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/solutions-are-already-here-we-need-the-whole-industry-to-adopt-them/

HM Land Registry streamlines ‘front-loaded’ support for complex applications

New hub brings five key specialist support services together in one place on GOV.UK and on Portal, including Ask for Guidance

• Customers can save time and delays by talking to HM Land Registry before they submit complex applications
• Each service has a dedicated contact form to ensure enquiries reach the right person at the right time
• We’ve listened to customers and made it easier to access our range of specialist support services via Portal and GOV.UK
• Specialist teams on hand to assist before submitting large-scale or complex commercial applications, or starting to develop residential estates

HM Land Registry (HMLR) can provide supportive guidance ahead of submission to help ensure applications can be processed more efficiently. From 3 May 2023, we are bringing our five free pre-submission services together in one place.

We have listened to customers and made it easier and more convenient for them to access any help and support they need before lodging large-scale and complex applications, or starting work on developing residential estates.

The new Specialist Support Services Hub is available on Portal as well as GOV.UK and provides links to each of five teams: Application Management Services, Ask for Guidance, Developing Estates, Large-Scale Applications and Large-Scale Voluntary First Registrations. At a click, professional customers seeking help will be directed to the right person at the right time.

We cannot provide legal advice, comment on a point of law or guarantee to accept a registration until the application is made with all supporting documentation. However, using one of these pre-submission services can help customers avoid requests for information (requisitions) and enjoy consistency of service, especially when multiple transactions are involved.

            Specialist technicians Helene Jude and Mike Wilcock said:

“We’re keen to help you through all stages of a large-scale application. We particularly appreciate that these applications can be complicated to lodge so we’re here to help you to work out the best solution for your specific application.”

Efficiency savings

Customers are already benefiting from specialist support, with participants in one service trial estimating it saved them between 30 minutes and two hours per application. They also said it prevented:

• internal discussions on how to tackle the issue;
• dealing with potential requisitions once the application was submitted; and/or
• submitting an unnecessary application, in some cases.

Other benefits cited included greater certainty that the application would be accepted and confidence that it would progress smoothly; the ability to keep to strict legal timescales in undertakings; happier clients as transactions were processed more quickly and with less risk; the opportunity to pass on learnings within the firm; and minimising the impact of fees being ‘eaten up’ in dealing with requests for information (requisitions).

Customers are saying:

“The Estate Plan Approval webform service has been a welcome addition to Land Registry’s offering – it is very easy and intuitive to use, with a quick turnaround of results. The checklist and the automation element ensure that any incorrect applications are much less likely to be submitted, so the overall quality is improved, helping to speed up the process.” – Caroline Wofinden, Freeths

“The ‘ask for guidance’ has been very useful in assisting with more complex issues that arise. The advice is very clear and always delivered in a timely manner. This has become an invaluable tool and believe that it has helped us to avoid requisitions upon subsequent applications for registration” – Kirsty Gibson, Simplify

“Thank you so much for your quick response it is very much appreciated, you have been an absolute pleasure to deal with and your support in this matter has been second to none. In a world where we are so quick to moan or complain and slow to give positive comments, please accept this as my gratitude to you and the wider team, great work and thank you most sincerely” – Michael Burley, BNP Paribas

“I wanted to say a big thank you to both you and your team for your assistance in this matter. The way you have walked us through the whole process and dealt with our application so quickly has been outstanding and is really appreciated, especially in respect of our follow-up email with additional registers to be changed” – Melinda Blackmore, Heart of England Co-Operative Society Limited

The Services

Application Management Services (AMS)

Also previously known as ‘Managed Services’, customers can access AMS for new complex commercial transactions or infrastructure developments, such as complex portfolios with large numbers of similar applications, development sites comprising many parcels of registered and unregistered land under mixed tenure; or multiple applications that must be processed in order, including chains of under-leases.

As long as the application has not already been lodged, the answers aren’t in Practice Guides and cannot be handled by our Customer Support Centre, professional customers can apply using the Pre-submission enquiry service form PSS1 or Application Management Service form AMS1 for free expert help before submitting an application.

Ask for Guidance enquiry service

After a successful year-long pilot, we are rolling out this service – devised in response to feedback – to all of our customers. For those about to start a new piece of work that has complexities not covered in any of our Practice Guides, a member of our specialist team can help navigate registry processes and avoid unnecessary errors. As long as it fits the criteria, professional customers can put their query directly to our technical experts, who will help them avoid unnecessary application errors.

Criteria

• the query is in relation to a new piece of work, not an existing application
• the answer to the query is not already covered in any of our Practice Guides

The information gathered by this service also allows us to update our guidance where appropriate. To date, we’ve updated Practice Guides 29 in relation to charges of part, 31 over discharge of a sub charge and 40 Supplement 5, adding a section about sub-dividing a property title.

 Developing Estate Service

This is a free service for residential estates of six or more plots. Our experts can help simplify the application process and give clarity in advance of plot sales. Using the dedicated form, customers can lodge draft estate plans and transfers or leases, plus other documentation, such as consents or powers of attorney for approval, before starting their development, or in the early stages of the build, to help ensure smooth and seamless registration of plots.

For more information about developing estates, see Practice Guide 41

Large-Scale Applications

Our Bulk Applications Team can assist with large-scale applications, subject to criteria. Qualifying customers can get help in avoiding the complications associated with submitting applications based on a common deed or deeds. This service is available to customers submitting applications for any combination of registered and unregistered titles exceeding 50 in total.

Find out more about large-scale applications in Practice Guide 33

Large-Scale Voluntary First registrations 

Our dedicated team can help customers seeking the voluntary first registration of a portfolio of unregistered properties, land assets or a large landed estate. This free service is available to anyone registering more than 20 individual parcels or units of land and enables more efficient and consistent processing.

Find out more about large-scale applications in Practice Guide 33

 

Accessing Specialist Support Services

Customers can access all five Specialist Support Services using dedicated contact forms that send enquiries directly to the relevant teams. For those connecting to HMLR services directly or via third-party software (Business Gateway access), the forms are held on GOV.UK

Portal account holders can also access the hub via a link on the homepage, which takes them to a dedicated page showcasing each of the services and their criteria, before directing them to the relevant contact forms.

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/hm-land-registry-streamlines-front-loaded-support-for-complex-applications/

Osprey Approach and InfoTrack help law firms to be CQS Compliant

Leading case management software provider, Osprey Approach, and award-winning conveyancing technology leader, InfoTrack, announce that they have collaborated with Tracy Thompson of Tracy Thompson Associates, lead assessor for the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, to create a three-part guide and on-demand webinar, designed to help law firms stay compliant with their responsibilities under the CQS.

In Part 1 of the guide, which covers the new updates to the CQS Core Practice Management Standards (CPMS), Tracy details the recent changes to the CPMS and gives advice on how firms can ensure they meet these standards to remain compliant.

In Part 2, firms will discover the legal technology tools available through the dynamic integration between Osprey and InfoTrack, to help law firms meet their CQS responsibilities with ease.

And finally, Part 3 looks at the common compliance pitfalls that most SME law firms face, as well as how to overcome them.

The technology providers also join Tracy Thompson on a webinar to discuss their advice and guidance on CQS compliance, which can be viewed on-demand here.

Chris Pucci, CEO of Osprey Approach, comments:

“We’re excited to have worked closely with InfoTrack and Tracy Thompson to produce valuable guidance for law firms, which will not only save legal professionals time, but will also ensure that they and their firm meet their compliance responsibilities and commitments with confidence.

“A centralised database and effective digital tools help conveyancers easily stay on top of compliance requirements. When you combine Osprey and InfoTrack you have access to a powerful platform that aids compliance, but crucially improves the quality of client service and profitability.”

InfoTrack’s Head of Sales, Lisa Edwards, adds:

“Technology can play a vital role in enabling firms to document their policies and procedures, and it’s important to be able to access and provide digital audit trails to demonstrate compliance.  InfoTrack provides security and certainty through its intuitive technology solutions, to help law firms manage their responsibilities with ease.”

In the absence of definitive guidance on which systems or processes firms should use to meet the standards requirements, Tracy recommends that law firms follow her three-step process to demonstrate compliance:

1. Say as you do – create documented policies and procedures that are bespoke to your firm;
2. Do as you say – ensure those policies are being followed and that all staff receive adequate training; and
3. Provide evidence – make sure everyone is aware of how the standard is being complied with and how you demonstrate that during an assessment.

To find out more about the tools available through integration with Osprey and InfoTrack to help make light work of meeting your CQS commitments, get in touch with one of our legal technology specialists today.

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/osprey-approach-and-infotrack-help-law-firms-to-be-cqs-compliant/

InfoTrack adds improved Source of Funds checks to client onboarding service

Legal technology provider InfoTrack has released a new enhanced digital verification of funds solution encompassing Source of Funds, Proof of Funds, and Source of Wealth to make the whole process easier and faster for law firms and their clients.

Source of Funds and Source of Wealth checks are firmly in the spotlight as regulators like the SRA and the Law Society sharpen their focus on solicitors’ Customer Due Diligence, KYC, and AML responsibilities against a backdrop of increasing legislation.

The enhanced Source of Funds checks are embedded in the eCOS client onboarding platform which streamlines the data collection from individuals and provides solicitors with a single, convenient platform that also includes their Client Questionnaires, TA Forms, ID checks, and AML results.

The use of Open Banking technology means that eCOS can collect authenticated financial data directly from banks and building societies and provide it to solicitors with time-saving analysis and summaries of the individual’s financial position. The system also provides law firms with a digital audit trail of all the checks, data, and results throughout the onboarding process to be able to demonstrate their compliance to regulators.

InfoTrack COO, Sam Jordan comments:

“Our dream is for both our clients and their clients to have one simple, easy, and convenient way to exchange information and complete the necessary checks to make client onboarding faster and better. The enhancements to our Verification of Funds product have been designed in partnership with our clients, and we’re excited to give them more of the tools they need to do their work brilliantly.”  

Law firms have already shared their enjoyment in using the new enhanced Verification of Funds solution, which is saving time and supporting risk management.

Amy Church, Managing Partner at Lucas & Wyllys Solicitors says:

“Enhanced VOF makes getting to the bottom of source of funds and wealth much simpler. The result is easy to understand, thanks to the breakdown on the first page. The result helps us to easily identify where the funds are held, how they were accumulated, and what further checks we need to carry out to complete our risk assessment. It makes the complicated source of funds and wealth task easier and quicker to carry out.”

For more information about eCOS and verification of funds, visit: bit.ly/42BlJSP

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/infotrack-adds-improved-source-of-funds-checks-to-client-onboarding-service/

Redbrick Solutions and Armalytix combine technology to provide essential Source of Funds and Wealth checks

Redbrick Solutions, leading conveyancing case management provider, and Source of Funds and Wealth experts, Armalytix, have combined their technology to intelligently conduct faster and more effective Source of Funds and Wealth checks.

Armalytix is a data intelligence firm that allows consumers to safely share Open Banking and other data to deliver financial insights to firms, helping those firms conduct faster and more effective AML, fraud and financial risk checks. With Redbrick’s partnership with Armalytix, clients have the financial data, evidence and answers they need, effortlessly integrated into their Redbrick workflows.

Armalytix provides legal firms with:

• Upfront financial fact finds
• Market-leading analysis
• Legal Eye endorsed questionnaires
• And much more!

Tom Lyes, Head of Legal and Property at Armalytix, comments,

“Partnerships are incredibly important to us at Armalytix and we’re really excited to be working with the team at Redbrick. Working with them it’s really clear that they understand the Conveyancing landscape and put a real emphasis on increasing ease and efficiency for all parties. Our fast and effective checks fit neatly within that approach and allow Redbrick’s clients to request our market leading Source of Funds reports simply, in just a few clicks.”

Jo Hodges, Director at Redbrick Solutions comments,

“Continuously evolving our conveyancing case management solution is crucial to ensuring our clients achieve maximum benefit.  Our partnership with Source of Funds experts, Armalytix, introduces a seamless process to transform the complex, manual process of Source of Funds and Wealth checks.  We are delighted to be working with them.”

Armalytix provides an essential tool with accurate data to transform the manual process of Source of Funds and Wealth checks into a simple, digital experience for you and your clients.

Discover how your legal practice can manage conveyancing digitally, stay compliant and efficient by contacting the Redbrick team or request a software demonstration.

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from The Conveyancing Association https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/redbrick-solutions-and-armalytix-combine-technology-to-provide-essential-source-of-funds-and-wealth-checks/