Comment
House of cards
Ian White takes a critical look at the recent white paper of the provision of new housing in England and Wales
Hold tight
Simon David shares his predictions for what 2017 may bring, and cybercrime is firmly at the top of his risk register
Features
New horizons
Philip Giles explains how private client, property and family departments can best work together when advising cohabitees, highlighting the risks and opportunities involved
Hard times
In recent years, the role of the conveyancer has expanded significantly, particularly around searches, while fees have dropped radically, argues Peter Rodd. But does the solution lie in the hands of the profession itself?
Riding for a fall?
Charlotte Harrison argues that there is an inherent contradiction in the current regime around overriding interests in registered land, between definitive registration and social policy rationale. And property buyers are bearing the brunt
Lay of the land
Land transaction tax, the first new Welsh tax in 800 years, is set to replace stamp duty land tax in Wales from 1 April 2018. Andrew Evans explains how it will work in practice
Cautionary tales
Every day in this country, conveyancing firms face attempted attacks from cybercriminals. Graham Murphy offers some real-life tales of successful cybercrime, and looks at what those involved could have done to protect themselves
Be prepared
The Property Section will be running a series of seminars on fraud and cybercrime this spring. Peter Rodd looks at the challenges facing conveyancers, and the steps you need to take to protect yourself now and in the future
Cue title
Warren Gordon outlines the content of the 2016 revisions to the seventh edition of the certificate of title
Capital letters
Ian White, chair of the Property Section, talks to Mark Tighe, CEO of Catax Solutions, about what solicitors need to know about capital allowances, an important and increasingly prevalent area of commercial property tax law
To be or not to bnb
The potential legal complications of serviced apartments, Airbnb and other short-term lettings are often overlooked. Andrew Boulton and Astrid Hardy look at what clients considering short-term lettings need to consider
On the mark
Philip Grisewood of NHBC introduces the Conveyancing Portal, a new system giving conveyancers access to Buildmark cover information and associated documentation, and designed to improve efficiency while ensuring due diligence is carried out
Stormy weather
Most property solicitors are not specialists in environmental law, but are increasingly finding that environmental issues impact on transactions. Andrew Wiseman outlines some of the most common environmental issues affecting property transactions
Higher power
In November 2016, HMRC released new guidance on the higher rates of stamp duty land tax for purchasers of additional dwellings. David McDowell of HMRC outlines the key changes in the new guidance