The operations director of X-Press Legal Services has been appointed to the Digital Property Market Steering Group, which is helping shape the government’s home buying and selling roadmap. The article highlights a push for responsible digitalisation of conveyancing, with emphasis on data provenance, privacy, security, transparency and the role of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015.
The Planning Inspectorate has allowed Bloor Homes’ appeal for a 325-home scheme in Sandbach, overturning Cheshire East Council’s refusal. The inspector found that the housing and affordable housing benefits outweighed less than substantial heritage harm, while also noting moderate harm to the character of the area and limited loss of good quality agricultural land.
An industry coalition has criticised the Land Registry’s implementation of Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), arguing that current guidance contains fundamental flaws and is slowing adoption in conveyancing. The letter says the inability to mix signature types is limiting use, while HM Land Registry says it expects uptake to rise and is open to exploring temporary options to accelerate adoption.
The article reports claims from Generation Rent that Section 21 evictions are disproportionately affecting black households and contributing to higher rates of homelessness and temporary accommodation. It also cites wider allegations of racial discrimination in the private rented sector and in rental application processes.
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice explaining the process for obtaining rights of entry to land under section 53 of the Planning Act 2008 in connection with Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. It outlines when applicants may need access during pre-application and other stages, the need to act reasonably, the fee requirement, and the Planning Inspectorate’s role in deciding authorisation requests on behalf of the Secretary of State.
The Planning Inspectorate has issued non-statutory advice for local authorities on their role in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project process. It emphasises early governance arrangements, resource planning and timely engagement across pre-application, acceptance, pre-examination and examination stages, including consultation duties and environmental statement scoping.
New Freedom of Information data suggests the FCA opened only one mortgage fraud enforcement investigation in 2025, down from three to four annually in the previous three years. The article links this decline to wider concerns that fraud is becoming more digital, AI-enabled and harder to detect, despite new government measures in the Home Office Fraud Strategy 2026–2029.
X1 Manchester Waters has entered administration with debts of £25.7m, including more than £24m owed to 336 investors who paid deposits on unbuilt flats. The administrator’s report cites construction cost inflation, fire-safety remediation costs on other X1 schemes, and leasehold reform as contributing factors, while freeholder Peel Land is seeking an alternative route to complete the homes.
A lettings agent and four others have been convicted in connection with an organised cannabis cultivation network operating through multiple rented properties in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes. Police said fraudulent tenancy documents were used and that the agency’s offices contained evidence linked to the criminal activity, with sentencing still to follow for at least one defendant.
New regulations will require certain contractual control agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally to HM Land Registry from 6 April 2027. The regime covers arrangements such as options, conditional contracts and pre-emption rights, with transitional reporting deadlines for rights granted before commencement but after 8 June 2026.
An industry coalition has written to HM Land Registry and government bodies arguing that current guidance on Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) is restricting adoption in conveyancing. The letter says the rules around same-document signing and the prohibition on mixed-format execution are slowing take-up, despite QES being available for registrable dispositions since August 2025.
A Freedom of Information request indicates the FCA opened only one mortgage fraud enforcement investigation in 2025, down from three to four cases a year in previous periods. The article argues this low level of activity may not reflect the true scale of mortgage fraud, which is described as becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect, particularly with the use of AI and digital tools.
