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PROPERTY LAW
If only because of the publicity about "Home Information Packs" which are due to be in use later this year, everyone seems to know that the system of property transfers in this country is about to change. Anyone thinking about moving in the near future will need to find out how these changes affect them. Batt Broadbent is getting ready to work with these changes so that clients get the same quality of service and the best possible experience of the process after all the changes come into force. Although this summer only a pilot scheme will be running, from the middle of next year everyone who wants to put their house on the market will have to have pre-prepared most of the information that a buyer will want to know about it. This is what is to be called the Home Information Pack, and it will have serious legal implications. Batt Broadbent will be able to help clients to obtain the pack at a sensible cost, while making sure the legal effects are understood. It is already clear that people will be offered all sorts of "all-in-the-price" deals with apparent incentives to use packaged services, but these will not always be the best way for sellers to proceed. The safe way to do things with serious legal effects is to ask a lawyer about them. Not far ahead now is the change that will mean the actual transfer process will take place at the Land Registry. The intention is that it will in effect happen electronically - at the touch of a button. Batt Broadbent is getting geared up for this, but it will have serious implications for solicitors and clients. Of course, all the preparation will still have to be done by lawyers, but they will have to be able to link in to the electronic systems. If you are in the process of moving house in a year or so, you will need to check that your solicitor has the necessary facilities, particularly if you are borrowing money. We are watching this space on your behalf, and will do all that we can to be ready in good time for whatever is coming.
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