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Terrafirma have advised us that they will be making some changes to their pricing on 1st September 2018. 

This includes price increases for a select number of site size bandings on their Coal Extra reports, as well as the introduction of a new site size banding for their Assess reports. 

These changes will be applied automatically to any orders made on tmconvey on or after 1st September.

You can find the full details in the table below: 

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager, or get in touch with our friendly Helpdesk team on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk

The Law Society is making some important new changes with respect to Mining and Natural Ground Perils which will be covered in the soon to be released 25th Edition of its Conveyancing Handbook. 

Mining and ground report specialist, Terrafirma, is launching a three-part coffee-break webinar series to ensure that you have all of the relevant information at your fingertips. 

Starting on Tuesday 11th September and led by Terrafirma CEO, Tom Backhouse, they will be no more than 15 minutes in length and are designed to give you all of the necessary information including what the changes are, how they impact you and what the benefits are to you and your clients.  

Please register your interest and attendance for each webinar via the following links. A download of the webinar will be made available to pre-registered attendees following each event.

Part 1 : Important Changes to The Law Society Conveyancing Law Handbook

Time : 11am (BST) 

Date : Tuesday 11th September 2018

Click here to register

2. Introducing the Ground Report 

Time : 11am (BST)

Date : Thursday 13th September 2018

Click here to register

3. The Ground Report, a Step-by-Step Overview 

Time : 11am BST

Date : Tuesday 18 September 2018

Click here to register

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please note you can also include this webinar attendance in your Annual Compliance Declaration to the SRA.

From Thursday 2nd August, Future Climate Info’s Essential, Standard and Premium Residential reports, as well as their Standard and Premium Commercial reports will be available to order on tmconvey.

You’ll also be able to order their Flood and Energy reports - for Residential and Commercial. 

You can see a summary of the new product suite, along with sample reports here: 

Flood:

> Flood Residential - less than 25 Ha : Click here to see a sample report

> Flood Commercial less than 25 Ha : Click here to see a sample report

Energy:

> Energy Commercial - less than 30Ha : Click here to see a sample report

> Energy Residential - less than 10Ha : Click here to see a sample report

Residential:

> Essential Residential Report 

Meets the minimum requirements of the Law Society’s guidance on flooding and Contaminated Land.

> Environmental

> Flooding 

> Standard Residential Report 

 Contains all of the information from the Essential report and includes Ground Stability data.

> Environmental

> Flooding

> Ground Stability  

> Premium Residential Report 

You can see a sample report here

Contains all of the information from the Standard report and includes data on Energy & Infrastructure such as wind farms, shale gas exploration, and HS2.

> Environmental

> Flooding

> Ground Stability  

> Energy + Infrastructure

Commercial:

> Standard Commercial Report

Contains information on:

> Environmental

> Ground Stability

> Flooding

> Premium Commercial Report

Click here to see a sample report

Contains all of the information from the Standard report and includes data on Energy & Infrastructure such as wind farms, shale gas exploration, and HS2

> Environmental

> Ground Stability

> Flooding

> Energy + Infrastructure

For more information, please speak to your Account Manager, or get in touch with Helpdesk on 0800 840 5571  or helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk

At tmgroup, we want you to get the very best from our tmconvey platform. That’s why we have a dedicated Helpdesk and experienced team of Account Managers on hand to support you every step of the way.  

We listen to you and your team to get your firm off to the best possible start 

We don’t make assumptions; we listen. From initial set-up and preferences, to enabling specific mapping options and non-standard products, we work closely with your team to adapt our platform around your firm’s needs. We also share best practice ideas and offer informed, practical suggestions to help you maximise efficiency. It’s how we make time for you. 

We know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to getting your team up and running, so we also take the time to design a training programme that is right for your firm. From creating tailored training sessions to suit different roles across the business, to accommodating the most convenient times for your team to attend. 

Responding to feedback and evolving our services is part of who we are

From customer satisfaction surveys and feedback forms, to involving customers in pilot programmes as we develop new services, we are committed to creating opportunities for listening to and responding to our customers’ needs. We’re also replacing our 0844 phone number with a free 0800 number very soon to make it even easier for you to share your thoughts. 

We’re also interested in hearing your views on the property market. That’s why we’ve launched our new series of Property Hubs, to bring property experts together to discuss the challenges and opportunities in their local area. Events have already taken place across Leeds, Liverpool, Northampton, Southampton, Nottingham, Cardiff and Bristol, and the series is continuing to build momentum – with new locations Harrow, Kingston upon Thames and Manchester making their debut this September. 

Our friendly Helpdesk team and Account Managers offer ongoing support 

It doesn’t stop there. As you continue on your tm journey, your dedicated Account Manager will be on hand to answer any questions or queries, as well as introduce you to our latest time-saving services as and when they are added to our tmconvey platform. Recent examples include our New Build Managed Service, as well as integrated SDLT & AP1 submission. Our friendly Helpdesk team will also be on hand to assist you, whenever you need them. 

Don’t just take our word for it! Take a look at what some of our customers have been saying about our wonderful team… 

• “The support from the tmgroup team is fantastic and I can’t commend them highly enough. The Helpdesk is great and our Account Manager is superb. Everyone is just so willing to help.”

- Victoria Follows, Partner, Property Department, Hand Morgan & Owen Solicitors

• “We all think that the tmgroup team are very responsive, as there is always someone happy to help, from Helpdesk to our Account Manager.”

- Ruby Jennings, Legal Assistant at Ashtons Legal 

See for yourself how easy it is to get started…

Simply call our Helpdesk on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk

We recently attended ‘The Future of Real Estate Summit’ in Liverpool. Hosted by Estates Gazette, the broad agenda discussed everything from affordable housing and the impact of HS2, to the positive returns of investing in culture and digitisation.

It quickly became clear that cities have a vital role to play in addressing the housing crisis and attracting investment for New Build developments. Here are just some of the talking points from the day’s events…

The housing crisis cannot be solved simply by building more houses 

The fact that the housing crisis cannot be solved in isolation was a key topic of discussion. With a general consensus that addressing this issue isn’t just about building more houses, it’s about creating spaces where businesses and housing projects can coexist and thrive.  

To succeed in attracting businesses, retaining talent and attracting investment for housing and commercial projects, there are a number of factors cities need to get right – from investing in digital infrastructure (such as fibre and broadband) to creating a strong cultural identity and “sense of place”. 

There also needs to be a focus on supporting transport links across the city, through the provision of buses and efficient road networks – so people can travel to local jobs just as easily as they can travel outside the city on motorways and trains. 

By embracing these opportunities, cities can not only offer more housing, they can make sure that homes and businesses are filled with people who can contribute to the growth and success of the area. In turn, this will attract more businesses, more people, and even more investors willing and able to invest in commercial and residential property. 

Where cities are getting this right, everyone stands to benefit – from estate agents having more properties to work with, to conveyancers winning more new business. The key is for everyone to communicate with one another regularly, so that all businesses can be primed to take advantage of new opportunities as they come into the city. 

Liverpool offer a fantastic example of this – especially the way they’ve been “riding the wave” of winning European Capital of Culture in 2008 to drive growth and investment over the last decade. 

The UK continues to attract foreign investors – but cities must play their part in ensuring they offer a recognisable and attractive offering

The impact of Brexit couldn’t be overlooked, and there was a sense of optimism in the room as Susan Caldwell from the Department for Trade & Investment said: “The UK continues to attract foreign investors who see the UK as a stable, regulated environment with a strong legal system. This is supported by the fact that it takes on average of just 13 days to set up a business in the UK.”

For individual cities to benefit however, County Councils must present themselves in a way that the investment community recognises. This requires a focused approach of identifying 2 to 3 areas where the city could attract investment – and then promoting these opportunities as early as possible. For example, by including the proposition in brochures for overseas investors. 

Showing a willingness to not only find the right investor, but to be flexible in working together can also help to move projects forward in a way that benefits everyone. It is equally important that these conversations extend to the conveyancers and estate agents involved, so they are primed to manage the influx in work – and the local community can make use of any new space as quickly as possible. 

We must rethink how we use failing retail space to help address the housing shortage

Land use is an ongoing challenge across the UK, with careful thought and planning needed to strike a positive balance of commercial and residential space. However, the shift towards online shopping has resulted in the UK simply having too much retail space.  

With the country crying out for more housing, we can’t afford to leave this space empty – and mixed-use space is set to become the norm as investors look to make the most return on their property by supplying housing and offices, alongside the preservation of some retail space. 

Diversity is key to developing cities that support different lifestyles and generations 

Diversification isn’t just about creating different types of homes, it’s also about thinking about how spaces work to support different lifestyles and generations within the same city. For example, making sure there are residential properties situated near bars and restaurants, but also in quieter areas with parks and schools. 

This is where estate agents and conveyancers also have a role to play in sharing their knowledge of the local area. By identifying a strong demand for retirement properties (for example), they can help to support a strong case for an investment opportunity, whilst also addressing the real needs of people in that particular city. 

Sometimes, creating a thriving city is also about pushing back on prime investment opportunities for “yet another tower block” and thinking about what gives an area life. A key example of this is Boxpark Croydon that helped to give new life to the area by engaging the community and creating a strong sense of place. 

Entirely constructed out of refitted shipping containers, Boxpark also highlighted the potential of alternative building processes and materials – and  raised the question of exploring new building methods to meet the challenge of providing affordable housing.

The public and private sectors can work together to regenerate cities

A key point reiterated across ‘The Future of Real Estate Summit’ was the scope for collaboration, and the benefit this can bring to everyone who embraces it.

There are ample opportunities for the private and public sector to work together that private investors must take advantage of. A key example of this way HS2. Whilst it is undoubtedly an enabler of change, it is up to the local councils and businesses to collaborate to make the most of these opportunities, as Tom Venner, Head of Property Development, High Speed 2 (HS2) commented: “Developers shouldn’t be afraid to collaborate with the Government to help unlock the potential in an area, as there are huge opportunities for growth. The Government are willing and able to work with Developers to help solve housing issues – and the people, skills and money are there to unlock these opportunities."  

As the conference came to a close, it was hard to ignore the passion in the room, as well as the opportunities that await if we choose to move forward together to create places that not only exist, but thrive. 

Want to have your say?

Why not join our Property Hubs taking place this July across Northampton, Liverpool, Leeds, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff. Or get in touch about hosting one near you! Click here for more information and to register. 

Is New Build work on the rise in your local area?

Our New Build Managed Service can help to save your team time by ordering searches and managing data provider queries on your behalf. Click here for more information.

Groundsure have been awarded the licence for Cheshire Brine data from the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board. This will take effect from 1st June 2018. 

As the new sole provider of Cheshire Brine data, Groundsure have also announced a Cheshire Salt Search report in partnership with the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board. 

Click here to see a sample report 

The report is for residential and commercial properties - and will be available to order on tmconvey from 1st June. 

You will not need to purchase both a CON29 Coal Mining Report and a Cheshire Salt Search - except for two areas on a small section of the Cheshire and Staffordshire borders where an overlap between coalfields and Cheshire Salt occurs, which you can view here.

You can see the pricing for the new Cheshire Salt Search below:

The Cheshire Salt Search is mandatory for property transactions within the Compensation District – and includes details of whether the property lies within a statutory consultation area, past damage claims, commutation payments and future claims cover.

What about the CON29M and other reports?

As Cheshire Brine data will no longer be licenced to the Coal Authority, any CON29M reports ordered from the Coal Authority will not contain information about Cheshire Brine.

To reflect this, Cheshire Brine search alerts on tmconvey will also switch from CON29M to Cheshire Salt Search (GSCHSALT).

Terrafirma: There will be no noticeable change to Terrafirma’s Coal Extra report. They will simply source their Cheshire Brine data from Groundsure from 1st June 2018 onwards.

PlanVal: Planval have confirmed that they are removing Cheshire Brine from their Coal Mining and Non-Coal mining searches:

> PVMCC – Planval Mining Coal with Opinion (Commercial)

> PVMCR - Planval Mining Coal with Opinion (Residential)

> PVMNCC - Planval Non- Coal Mining with Opinion (Commercial)

> PVMNCR - Planval Non- Coal Mining with Opinion (Residential)

If you have any questions, or have any concerns about how these changes may affect any other reports you order, please get in touch with your Account Manager, or contact Helpdesk on 0844 249 9200.

As part of their annual product review, Argyll have advised us that they will be increasing prices across 6 of their reports on 11th May 2018. 

They will also be retiring their Estate Solutions Brief report. 

These changes will be implemented automatically on the tmconvey platform, and will be reflected in any new orders from 11th May 2018.

Find details below:

Price changes:

Estate Solutions Brief : Retired as of 11th May 2018:

Argyll will also be retiring ‘Estate Solutions Brief’, so we’ve put together some alternative products, also available to order on tmconvey: 

Argyll Site Solutions Residence

This product can be ordered for:

> Residential properties 
> Landed estates (only <10ha as size limit) 

Argyll Estate Solutions Farm

This product can be ordered for:

> Agricultural land/farms
> Any Landed estates

Groundsure Agricultural 

This product can be ordered for:

> Farming sites

If you have any questions, please contact our Helpdesk on 0844 2499200 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk

Groundsure have advised us that they will be increasing the price of their Enviro Insight report on 1st May – with price changes across all bandings. 

These changes will be implemented automatically on the tmconvey platform, and will be reflected in any new orders from 1st May 2018. 

The price changes are as follows:

If you have any questions, please contact our Helpdesk on 0844 2499200 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk

If you’ve ever heard the saying ‘sitting ducks’, you’ll know we’re referring to easy targets. Unfortunately, this rings true for the majority of home movers, as findings show that a staggering 83% are ‘cyber blind’ to the risks posed by Friday afternoon fraudsters. 

According to the latest Home Moving Trends report, published by tmgroup in partnership with the Property Academy, only 17% of clients consider transferring funds to their conveyancer to be a high-risk phase of the property transaction. 

Capturing the opinions of over 14,000 home movers, the bottom line is that a vast number of property transactions are at risk of ‘Friday afternoon fraud’ every week;  a stark warning to all conveyancers. For an industry that has already witnessed a number of high-profile incidents this year, including the Howard Mollett case, it’s not good news.   

With fresh reports of fraudsters impersonating law firms continuing to appear in the Bold Legal Group (BLG) bulletin, it’s also clear that the problem isn’t going away any time soon.

It seems it’s no longer enough for conveyancers to simply include fraud and cyber crime messages in their welcome packs and assume that their clients are reading them. As the latest Home Moving Trends findings reveal, only 54% of clients claim to have read every word of their paperwork. 

As Paul Albone, Managing Director at tmgroup, comments:

“With ever-savvier cyber criminals targeting the conveyancing world, assuming that every client is aware of every risk is no longer an option.”

With so much at stake, conveyancers need to be building checks into their processes to make sure their clients are fully aware of cyber crime threats and that they understand them.  In many cases, this could be as simple as reiterating key messages in follow up calls and appointments, alongside awareness messages into email signatures.  

Paul Albone, Managing Director at tmgroup, continues:

“As these statistics reveal, conveyancers need to be mindful of the fact that it is their responsibility to convey these risks to their clients – not merely as a conveyancing exercise, but in an attempt to eradicate this kind of fraud from the market, and reduce the level of risk to their firm, their reputation and their bank balance.” 

Download the latest Home Moving Trends report to find out more

These findings were taken from the latest Home Moving Trends report, based on a survey of 14,389 home movers conducted by the Property Academy in partnership with tmgroup.  

Download the latest Home Moving Trends report for more information and guidance on tackling cyber crime in the conveyancing sector. 

We’re pleased to report that we have recently made some minor amendments to key sections of our Premium Terms, adding clarity on certain points to better support our customers' needs. 

These updates follow the official launch of our Premium Terms in September 2016, offering a whole of market approach; enabling customers to rely on a single set of Premium Terms irrespective of which customer has ordered the searches from us.

The warranties and subsequent £20 million indemnity offered under these terms stand ahead of any third party supplier terms, thus addressing the liability chain in the event of a claim. It also means that third party terms do not need reviewing, thus saving further time.

The terms Definitions and Interpretations will also satisfy reliance on search results associated with Islamic Finance underwritten according to Sharia Law.

Customers on Premium Terms also benefit from additional services

By signing up to Premium Terms, our customers can also benefit from a host of additional services, including: 

• End to end management of property portfolios

• Managed case

• LR volume orders including register extract service

• tm clinics

• Transition management

Jon Horton, Account Director at tmgroup, comments:

“These changes to our Premium Terms underline our understanding of the commercial real estate market, by listening to our customers and shaping our services to meet their needs. The complimentary Premium Services reiterate our core business message that ‘we make time for you’.”

: About Premium

Information about Premium is available on our website and from your Account Management Team.

Jon Horton

Having worked in the tm sales team since 2002, Jon now heads up tmconnect - a sophisticated, user friendly system that facilitates property collaboration.