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Property Searches Scotland (PSS) have continued to grow their market share and have established new records for activity levels and customers numbers throughout the summer.

The company’s reputation for providing exceptional customer service has been at the heart of this impressive growth

The company has developed an enviable reputation for exceptional customer service, and this is fundamental to its ability to attract and retain new customers. In addition, the company provides a package of unique, innovative solutions including a “No Sale No Fee” commitment, multiple free updates on core products, competitive pricing and attractive loyalty bonus schemes.

As part of the tmgroup family, Property Searches Scotland can also call upon their parent company’s significant technological capabilities to maintain the best search turnaround times in the Scottish market. Coal mining reports are typically returned within one hour of being ordered, while more than 95% of orders for other products are returned within 24 hours of the order being placed.

New developments promise even stronger results in the near future

This announcement follows a series of exciting developments in 2016.

Earlier this year, Property Searches Scotland (PSS) announced that they had achieved 20% market share of the Scottish residential conveyancing search market within just 4 years of being established.

They also achieved a ‘world-class’ Net Promoter Score of 79; making them comparable with just a few elite companies across the globe.

There are no signs of the company slowing down either, with exciting plans in the pipeline to launch a new website and ordering platform in 2017.

Commercial Director, Michael Tolland said of the news:

“I’m delighted that the business has continued to progress at such a rapid pace, and that we have been able to continue to welcome new customers to our core of highly-valued, established customers. 2016 has been an exceptional year for the business with a YOY increase in order volumes approaching 50% alongside a massive increase in regular customer numbers. We look forward to introducing further innovation as the year progresses and to continuing to grow the business. None of this would have been possible without the support of customers old and new, and the hard work, dedication and professionalism of all members of the PSS team, and I would like to thank them all for their part in securing this success.”

About Property Searches Scotland (PSS)

Property Searches Scotland (PSS) provide a full suite of property searches required by conveyancing professionals in Scotland, England & Wales, PSS also offer a range of anti-money laundering products.

For more information about Property Searches Scotland (PSS), visit http://www.propertysearchesscotland.co.uk/

The Government are continuing to welcome comments on the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) filing and payment process until Friday 7th October 2016.

In honour of their Autumn Statement 2015 announcement, the Government are currently holding an open consultation on the proposed changes which aim to make SDLT filing and payment faster and easier. 

According to HM Revenue & Customs:

“The current processes for filing a SDLT return and paying the SDLT are effective, but improvements could be made which would increase efficiency, and reduce the compliance burden and costs for both HMRC and customers.”

This open consultation period follows an informal consultation with various interested parties, which has already taken place in HMRC’s SDLT Working Together Steering Group.

The Government wants to reduce the filing and payment window to 14 days

The key issue in hand is the proposed reduction on the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) filing and payment window from 30 days to 14 days.

However, the Government are also considering whether conveyancers will only be permitted to file returns on behalf of purchasers online, using either the HMRC online filing service or third party software, by removing the paper return option.

The proposed changes mark a positive step forward for the digitisation of the property sector

Industry experts are welcoming the proposed changes as a positive step forward for the digitisation of the property sector.

Managing Director of tmgroup, Paul Albone, comments:

“It is really exciting to see other organisations taking the initiative to streamline the property transaction.

“We strongly endorse the proposal to file Stamp Duty Land Tax returns online. We believe this will be a positive and significant step towards the property sector’s digital future, as we have already seen great success and increased efficiency through “going digital” with our own online services.”

“We look forward to integrating the service in our own platform when it becomes available.”

Responses to consultation questions must be submitted by Friday 7th October 2016

Conveyancing solicitors are invited to submit any comments no later than Friday 7th October 2016.

A response document is expected to be published in November this year, with implementation some time in 2018 or after (as some of the proposals will require IT, as well as legislative changes).

Consultation questions include:

• Are you aware of any issues that may arise as a result of the reduction in the filing and payment window to 14 days?  If so, do you have any suggestions on how they could be overcome? 
• What is your view regarding the option which would entail HMRC rejecting paper returns in circumstances where agents should have filed online?      
• What are the expected one-off and ongoing costs of reducing the filing and payment window to 14 days?
   

The full list of questions can be found in Chapter 4 of the Stamp Duty Land Tax: Changes to the Filing and Payment Process Consultation Document.

Find below the relevant contact details if you would like to submit a comment:

Email to: sdlt.digital@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Write to:

Stamp Taxes Policy Team (SDLT Consultation)
HM Revenue and Customs
Area 3C/20
100 Parliament Street
London SW1A 2BQ

tmgroup has increased their Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance cover from £10 million to £20 million, as part of a series of enhancements to their Premium Service. 

These improvements have been specially designed around the unique requirements of Professional Support Lawyers; and carefully considered to give them the support they need to confidently deliver to their colleagues whilst upholding the best interests of their clients and others who rely upon the conveyancing searches.

The Premium Terms and Conditions are easier to read  

In addition to increasing their Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance cover to £20 million, tmgroup has also simplified their Premium Terms and Conditions into a single, straight-forward document.

This makes them easier to read, whilst retaining the comprehensive cover tmgroup has been providing since 2006.

Current Premium Customers will automatically benefit from these changes

Customers already using the Premium service will automatically benefit from these enhancements, while any customers currently using tmgroup’s General Terms and Conditions are advised to talk to their Account Manager about the benefits of upgrading. 

If you are not currently working with tmgroup and would like to find out more about how you can benefit from these Premium Terms and Conditions, fill out this simple information request form and we’ll be in touch.

About tmgroup

The new and improved Premium Terms and Conditions are available as part of tmgroup’s new Premium service offering to the profession.

Visit http://www.tmgroup.co.uk/ for more details.

tmgroup are continuing their mission to help conveyancers claim what is rightfully theirs, with their 2016 events programme called ‘Because You’re Worth It.’

The programme is designed to help conveyancers to ensure that their client sees the value in the service they offer, from setting up new business relationships through to demonstrating the breadth of support and knowledge you bring when helping them buy the right property.

The sessions will stress the importance of firms using their in-house expertise to maximise their customer service as well as ensuring they market their services effectively by communicating their unique values.

Just 1 in 10 home movers chose the conveyancer that quoted the cheapest fees last year, so it would appear that conveyancing clients understand what represents value for money and are certainly willing to pay for what they consider to be good service.

Indeed, in a competitive sector with many challengers, traditional law firms are in a great position to understand what clients want and how they can present themselves attractively to win more business and improve service to keep clients happy. tmgroup have created this programme to help conveyancing firms do just that.

Marketing Director at tmgroup, Ben Harris, said:

“We are passionate about making sure that conveyancers understand how to communicate their value to prospective clients and then prove this through every interaction with a client. We’re delighted to bring this exciting and unique CPD programme to conveyancers in which our experts will arm them with the tools they need to assess their current position and make the most of the opportunity.”

With experts from across the sector, the next seminars in the series will take place on Wednesday 21st September in Manchester and Thursday 6th October in Portsmouth.

Click here to learn more about our Manchester event
Click here to learn more about our Portsmouth event

Topics covered:

Know your worth

Do you know your firm’s strengths & weaknesses? What are your USPs? What do consumers want from their conveyancers? Includes results of the latest Home Moving Trends survey.

Know your market

The ever-shifting property sector contains a number of challenges and, with the onset of ABSs in recent years, competitors now come in all shapes and sizes. Do you know your market?

Educating your customers

An estate agent’s role in a property transaction is generally well known among consumers but the role of a conveyancer is often somewhat mysterious to the inexperienced. Learn how to communicate your worth.

Know your price

In a recent consumer survey, just 1 in 10 home movers chose the conveyancer that quoted the cheapest fees. Learn where to pitch your business to make the most of your value.

These sessions will be hosted by renowned industry experts:

• Allan Carton – He has been introducing law firms to innovative and more professional business development and management practices since launching Inpractice UK in 1992.
• Michael Porter – Since 2002, he has been involved with strategic business planning and implementation with a number of professional practices.
• Richard Hinton – He has spent 25 years working in strategic and business development roles in the conveyancing industry. He is also a founder member of the Conveyancing Association.

Click here for more information about our guest speakers and topics

tmgroup are pleased to welcome Simon Wood as Sales Director for their tmconvey service, bringing with him nearly 20 years’ experience of leading commercial teams and delivering improvements in customer experiences.

Simon’s passion for ensuring the best possible customer journey remains very much in keeping with tmgroup’s values of being customer focussed and innovative.

His career to date includes various senior appointments at Motorola, Telefonica O2 and Thomson Local, where he has managed a number of sales channels.

Simon has a strong track record for overseeing business growth. He joins as tmgroup are embarking on a significant period of new innovations, having already launched a number of new services for both commercial and residential conveyancers in the first half of 2016.

Commenting on his new role, Simon Wood said:

"Having worked within the property sector for just over a year, and gained a firm grasp of all the major providers, I decided tmgroup was a major player and a genuinely innovative technology company focussed on reaching the entire property space.

Through developing a breadth of technology solutions, tmgroup not only create time and efficiency savings for conveyancers and everyone involved in the property transaction, but also set themselves apart from their nearest competitor.”

Commenting on Simon’s new position, Managing Director Paul Albone said:

“I am excited to have someone with such strong sales experience on board as tmgroup continues to innovate and grow.

Simon has a good track record and a passion for being customer focussed coupled with recent experience of migrating a sector into the digital age.

Harnessing these strengths in tmconvey, I am confident that Simon will be a valuable addition to the Senior Management Team as we continue to drive towards a strong and successful future.”

About tmgroup

tmgroup have a vision to streamline the property transaction for the benefit of all. They achieve this through innovation and experience, by employing great people and by listening to their customers.

That's why they promise: We make time for you.