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First Title are adding new insurance provisions to their Residential Title Insurance - available from Friday 1st February.

Each of these can only be selected on its own as a standalone policy. They should not be selected alongside other risks as part of a multi-risk quote.

There are 4 new risks:

• Contaminated Land 15 Years - Failed Search (for single residential premises)

• Contaminated Land 15 Years - No Search (for single residential premises)

• Contingent Building Insurance (for a single residential flat or maisonette)

• Environmental No Search (for single residential premises)

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

Following on from the addition of the ‘Groundsure Review’ report to tmconvey, we thought you’d like to know that ‘Groundsure Review with Planning Applications’ is now also available to order.

Designed in conjunction with a panel of Property Lawyers, Review offers pragmatic and commercially focused expert insight, deal orientated recommendations and guidance on next steps for high value property transactions, complex industrial sites and redevelopments.

Moving forward, you’ll be able to choose between ‘Groundsure Review’ or ‘Groundsure Review with Planning Applications’ – at no extra cost. Both reports review an extensive list of risks, including ground stability, planning constraints, contaminated land, and flood. The only difference is the addition of planning application information in ‘Groundsure Review with Planning Applications’.

We’ve included a handy comparison table below. 

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

Just to make you aware, Groundsure are making a handful of changes to their product suite, taking effect on tmconvey from Monday 11th February. 

You can find a quick summary of the changes here – and more information below. 

Summary

• New Reports; 

o Energy and Transportation 

o Groundsure Con29M

• Enhanced Reports;

o Homebuyers

• Updated; 

o Terms and Conditions

• Withdrawn Reports;

o 7 energy and rail infrastructure data reports 

o Homebuyers Plus 

Additional information

NEW REPORT : Energy and Transportation Report

Individual energy and rail infrastructure data reports being withdrawn

The new ‘Energy and Transportation’ risk report combines all of Groundsure’s energy and rail infrastructure data into one place, including;

• Major transport projects (HS2, Crossrail 1 and 2)

• Safeguarding areas

• Compensation schemes

• Active and historic railways and tunnels

• Existing and proposed energy generation or extraction sites 

Report costs

Residential : £30 + VAT

Commercial For sites <150ha : £60 + VAT

As such, the following residential and commercial reports are being withdrawn;

• Energy Residential Report (GSEnergyR)

• Energy Commercial Report (GSEnergyC)

• Underground Residential Report (GSUnderR)

• Underground Commercial Report (GSUnderC)

• Energy and HS2 report residential (GSEIR)

• Energy and HS2 report commercial (GSEIC)

• HS2 and Crossrail report (GSHS2)

ENHANCED REPORT : Homebuyers

Homebuyers Plus report being withdrawn 

The ‘Homebuyers’ report is being enhanced with all of the additional information currently only available in ‘Homebuyers Plus’, including; 

• Flood risk assessment

• Use of Land Registry polygons

• Improved format and workflow 

• Only relevant data (and fewer pages)

• Clear and practical next steps 

In support of these enhancements, the original ‘Homebuyers Plus’ is being withdrawn and will no longer be available to order on tmconvey. 

How much will it cost?

The enhanced Homebuyers report will be available for £51 +VAT.

UPDATED : Terms and Conditions

Groundsure are making a slight amendment to their Terms and Conditions

This “update” is a single change to the following paragraph (5.5) :

5.5 The Client shall promptly provide to Groundsure full details of any claim or complaint received by the Client concerning a Product (a “Claim”). The Client shall not incur any third party costs in relation to a Claim nor make any admission in respect of a Claim on behalf of Groundsure without the prior written consent of Groundsure.  At the request of Groundsure, the Client shall give to Groundsure or its nominee the exclusive control of such Claim.  The Client will (i) consider and consult with Groundsure in respect of any Claim; (ii)  take reasonable account of Groundsure’s representations in respect of any Claim; (iii)  so far as practicable, not make any settlement in respect of a Claim on terms which would have an unreasonable adverse impact on Groundsure’s reputation; (iv) not make any admission in respect of a Claim on behalf of Groundsure without the prior written consent of Groundsure.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Condition 5.5 applies to any content, services or report that is not provided by Groundsure to the Client.

NEW REPORT : Groundsure Con29M

An official CON29M coal mining report – licensed by the Law Society

The Groundsure CON29M Official Coal Mining Search answers all of the official questions requested in the Law Society guidance notes 2018, and has additional information should the property fall under the Cheshire Brine Compensation area. The report includes official licensed Coal Authority data, and a comprehensive Coal Search Report Insurance Policy.

Report costs

Residential <15ha : £33 + VAT

Commercial <15ha : £80 + VAT/ 15-50ha : £170 + VAT

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

tmgroup are pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with Riliance for the provision of CQS training.  The partnership will allow all tmgroup clients to benefit from a 20% discount on core and update courses.  

tmgroup clients can click here to claim their 20% discount, available against the following courses:

• Core Training – Financial Crime

• 2018 Update Training – Conveyancing Practice

• 2018 Update Training – Risk and Compliance

Emma Vigus, Chief Commercial Officer at tmgroup comments:

“We’re delighted to be working with Riliance.  They offer a great quality product and they share our commitment to innovation and strong customer service.  We know that our clients want more from their search provider so the partnership with Riliance will be the first of several exclusive partnerships that tmgroup will announce in 2019.” 

What courses do I need to do by when?

The Law Society relaunched CQS training in August 2018. This means firms may have different training courses to complete by different dates depending on whether they have just gained accreditation, or whether they have been re-accredited after November 2017.

• Firms with initial accreditation

If a firm has been initially accredited and staff have not completed the ‘Core Training – Financial Crime’ course then they must do that first.

New staff working on CQS accredited matters must also complete the Core Training unless they have completed it at a previous organisation.

• Firms being re-accredited

If a firm has been re-accredited by the CQS office between 1st November 2017 and 31st July 2018, all staff must complete the 2 update courses by 31st January 2019.

If a firm has been re-accredited by the CQS office on or after 1st August 2018, the firm has 6 months from their re-accreditation date to complete the training.

Richard Beech, CEO at Riliance Training Limited comments:

“We are delighted to be working with tmgroup to help provide benefits to customers. The CQS standard is core to the conveyancing sector and Riliance are pleased to provide an easy solution for firms to undertake the mandatory CQS training online. We hope this is the start of other collaborations that will benefit both Riliance and tmgroup customers.”

Claim your 20% discount today

Click here for more information about the new partnership between tmgroup and Riliance – and to claim your 20% discount.  

What if I’m not a tmgroup customer?

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a tmgroup customer and activating this exclusive 20% discount on Reliance core and update courses for CQS training, please get in touch.

About Riliance

Trusted by more than 3,500 regulated businesses across the UK, Riliance is the market leader in risk and compliance management software, training and consultancy services. Law firms, Barristers Chambers, Insurance Brokers, IFA Businesses and large Accountancy Firms all rely on Riliance to ensure firm-wide control and visibility over risk and compliance matters. Riliance can provide expert advice ensuring businesses put in place robust systems and processes to safeguard compliance. The Riliance system is used by firms to gain and maintain quality standards such as, Lexcel & ISO accreditations.

Riliance holds the ISO 27001 certification and is headquartered in Tarporley, Cheshire.

For more information, visit www.riliance.co.uk 

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Riliance on support@riliance.co.uk

tmgroup are inviting residential property specialists to free of charge events in London and Manchester in February to discuss the issues that will continue to affect the residential property market after 29th March. 

Sponsored by Groundsure and hosted by Pen Underwriting and Weightmans, the events will provide the opportunity to hear from guest speakers on a range of topics, including leasehold reform, financial crime and digital property transactions.  

Speakers include; Beth Rudolf from The Conveyancing Association, Edward Donne from Howden Insurance Brokers, Andrea Cohen from Weightmans, and Matt Smith, Editor of Future Housing.

• London: 7th February 2019 (3.45pm - 7.00pm)

Arthur J Gallagher, 67 Lombard Street, London, EC3V 9LJ

Click here to register for London :

http://web.tmgroup.co.uk/cn/an9um/regLondon  

• Manchester: 27th February 2019 (3.45pm - 7.00pm)

Weightmans, No 1 Spinningfields, Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB

Click here to register for Manchester : 

http://web.tmgroup.co.uk/cn/an9um/backManchester 

For more information, please contact Hannah Dukes at marketing@tmgroup.co.uk 

As you may already be aware, Ordnance Survey enhanced their mapping in late 2018. Applying the use of more realistic colour, as well as symbols, this has resulted in clearer boundaries and therefore better context for the mapping information displayed. For example, clearly distinguishing (by colour) where a ‘green’ field meets a ‘blue’ river, as well as where the river’s ‘brown’ mud banks start and finish.

To make sure our customers benefit from these latest improvements, we are automatically applying these changes to all mapping across tmconvey – after 10th January 2019. However, we have also updated our TM administrator permissions, so you can revert to the original look and feel, if you would prefer.

How do I update my mapping preferences?

Your TM administrator will be able to update your company preference by following the below steps:

1. Go to ‘System settings’ on the tmconvey Services Dashboard

2. Select ‘System defaults’

3. Select ‘View’

4. Select ‘Mapping defaults’

5. Select ‘Select map style’ 

6. You will see 2 maps side by side. This is your ‘current style’ and your ‘selected style’. You can then select from the bullet point list of different styles, changing them until you find one that suits. Please note, there are 5 different styles of map:

o Original 

o Standard (highlights the buildings rather than the background) 

o Outdoors (highlights the background rather than the buildings)

o Light (map with predominantly beige and grey colouring)

o Backdrop (map with lighter shades of colours)

7. Once you have settled on your choice, click ‘Save’. 

Please note, we’ve also updated our Case Plans, so they’ll be printed and saved in whichever mapping style you’ve selected under ‘System Settings’. 

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

Microsoft have awarded tmgroup Gold Standard partner status. 

Following on from many years as a Silver Standard partner, as well as our recently acquired ISO 27001 certification, this enhanced status further reassures our customers that we are a strong and reliable link in the supply chain. 

Being part of the Microsoft network is recognition of our commitment to creating and delivering innovative customer solutions and services based on Microsoft Technologies, acknowledging tmgroup’s product suite – including tmconvey, tmconnect and mio – as solutions designed and developed against the highest standards. 

Mark Gilbert, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at tmgroup comments:

“We are delighted to have achieved Gold Standard partner status, and proud of our dedicated team who have demonstrated technical competencies in application and web development, and the management of our data centre infrastructure.

We know how important it is for our customers to not only be able to trust us, but also to be able to reassure their own clients – with confidence – that their data is being handled in a secure environment. A world-recognised standard for excellence certainly helps.”

Our certifications set us apart as a high calibre business partner, proactively addressing the ever-growing threats of cyber crime and data theft by continually investing in our infrastructure and staff. 

For more information about tmgroup’s certifications, please contact your Account Manager. 

tmgroup have achieved ISO 27001 certification. The endorsement is only awarded to firms that comply with a mandated set of requirements relating to information security management.  Certified businesses must evidence an ongoing commitment to continually improving their systems. 

Information security is a critical business risk. It is attracting increasing scrutiny in the management of supply chain risk and consumers are more alert to the way their data is stored and shared.   

Joe Pepper, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at tmgroup comments:

“As a leading provider of data solutions to the property sector, tmgroup’s certification reinforces our commitment to working with legal and property professionals to help them meet lender and consumer requirements.”

Professor Richard Benham, Chairman of The National Cyber Management Centre comments:

“With the growing need for all organisations to show that they take data security and its management seriously I am delighted to have helped tmgroup achieve their ISO27001 accreditation.” 

As you may already be aware, on Monday 15th October, Groundsure launched their updated and enhanced ‘Groundsure Screening’ report, as well as their redesigned and enhanced ‘Groundsure Review’ report. 

You can find more information about these changes, alongside pricing and sample reports, below:

Redesigned and enhanced : ‘Groundsure Screening’ report

This report is for lower value less complex commercial property transactions and multi-site portfolios. This enhanced report meets Law Society compliance on contaminated land and flood risk and it covers; 

> Full flood risk assessment and Energy data

> Planning constraints

> Ground stability screening

> Property specific radon assessment

> Transportation screening including Crossrail 1 and 2, HS2 and more

Enhancements include; intelligently filtered data, results in Plain English, intuitive layout and page flow, and fewer pages.

Click here to see a sample report 

NEW Pricing

Groundsure have also made changes to the price of their Screening report;

Redesigned and enhanced : ‘Groundsure Review’ report

Gives expert, bespoke opinion required for all high value property transactions, complex industrial sites and redevelopments.  The report includes;

> Law Society compliant contaminated land and flood risk assessment

> Ground stability and Property specific radon assessment

> Manual review of high detail historical Ordnance Survey mapping in all cases

> Operational environmental risk assessment from Groundsure’s in-house team of environmental experts

> Full Energy & Transportation data (including Crossrail 1 & 2, HS2 and more)

> Planning constraints

Enhancements include; intelligently filtered data with fewer pages - displaying only relevant results, manual assessments in plain English, operational environmental risk assessment, complete HS2 data, Crossrail 2 route and safeguarding, optional planning applications, and intuitive layout and page flow. Each report will now also provide the Consultant's name and contact details for any queries or advice

Click here to see a sample report

NEW Pricing

Groundsure have also made changes to the price of their Review report;   

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

Terrafirma new reports! Available now on tmconvey, here’s a handy round-up of their new Ground Report and CON29M…

NEW: Ground Report from Terrafirma

The Terrafirma Ground Report has arrived TODAY on tmconvey, featuring expert risk assessment and analysis on all ground risks and liabilities.

Click here to see a sample report

The Terrafirma Ground Report translates the risk from mining activity, subsidence, sinkholes, radon, fracking, mineral planning activity and more. It also includes Terrafirma’s official CON29M report, as well as never-seen before data and technology driven solutions to analyse the potential impact of man-made and natural ground perils on property transactions.

Key features 

> Pass rate over 97%

> £10 million Professional Indemnity

> 100% of the risk of reporting on mining and natural ground perils is transferred to Terrafirma

> Professional opinion with dynamic and colour coded next steps

> NEW User Key : Highlighting key actions for conveyancers, lenders and purchasers

> Integrated Con29M : Satisfying The Law Society CON29M (2018) guidance report

> SinkholeALERT

> Accepted by all lenders

Pricing 

NOW AVAILABLE: Terrafirma’s CON29M

The Terrafirma CON29M Report is the new official alternative to the Coal Authority CON29M.

Click here to see a sample report

Key features

> Official data licensed from the Coal Authority

> Expert interpreted answers to all 11 questions (14 for commercial)

> Liability for professional opinion passing to Terrafirma

> £10 million Professional Indemnity

> Satisfies the Law Society CON29M (2018) guidance report

Pricing 

Will I still be able to order the Coal Authority’s CON29M? 

Yes, of course. The Coal Authority’s CON29M will continue to be available to order on tmconvey. You’ll now just have a choice of two products, instead of one.

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