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Priority House Buying, 7 Laburnum Terrace, Ashington (2026)

12/04/2021

Traditional Law
For centuries, the legal career path has heavily focused around working and meeting clients within the office. As much as we as Solicitors enjoy this client and colleague interaction, this often structured and formal approach within Law firms, as well as the well-known long hours, has often created a challenge in maintaining a healthy work/life balance for those in the legal profession. If the pandemic has taught us anything then, it is the importance of the need of the Legal Sector to advance its traditional model into one that is more future proof and forward thinking.
Future thinking – and Pandemic proof
We at Parity Legal believe we are forward thinkers and understand that excellent service can be provided to our clients and high-quality work can be achieved outside of the traditional model. This is why we launched our Consultancy Programme, as we believe our programme not only benefits our client’s by employing excellent solicitors with a wealth of experience nationally. But more importantly, in providing our Consultant Solicitor’s flexible working arrangements and support so that they are able to produce high quality work. Our programme started in July 2019, well before the pandemic, and therefore we have the infrastructure in place to offer such a platform to solicitors wanting to go self-employed.
To name a few benefits of our Consultancy Programme:

Flexible working hours to suit your lifestyle
Earning the higher share of the fee
Uncapped Earnings
Remote working
Flexible working environment
Quality standards
Back office support

Does this all sound too good to be true?
We at Parity Legal stand by our commitment to act as a platform that enables excellent lawyers to deliver an excellent service to clients. In order to achieve this, we employ a friendly and helpful Consultant liaison team to support our consultants to enable them to work remotely and independently. In the importance of producing high quality work our consultants are able to work from home but similarly have access to our meeting rooms to meet clients. Similarly, we assist our Consultants in generating work and work as a team in referrals between our Consultants. Finally, and most importantly we firmly believe in the importance of being able to work flexibly with 24/7 access to systems so that you can fit in working around your life and not the other way round.
Still not convinced – read through some of our testimonials
“I combine my work at Parity Legal with my more traditional role as a Barrister at Chambers in London. I enjoy the structure that being a Consultant at Parity Legal gives me. The support that I get from everyone at the office means that I can focus on my client work, which helps me to deliver the kind of service that clients are entitled to expect.””I moved to Parity Legal from private practice, and have been a Partner in a high street law firm. What I have found at Parity is that the case management system and back office support enables me to focus on my clients and make best use of my time. I earn a very high percentage of the fees that I bill, and working as a Consultant Solicitor with Parity was a great career move for me.”
https://www.solicitorconsultant.co.uk/index.php/feedback
CQS Accredited
We are a law firm that provides legal services in the property sector. We have specialist conveyancers and solicitors that deal with all forms of property transactions. We are CQS accredited which means that we have a high standard of practice management and client service.
Finally – none of this would be possible without
Our Consultancy programme prides itself on secure modern technology by using the latest innovations in cyber security and have been a Lawyer Checker since their inception. Lawyer Checker have always made compliance and cyber security easy and accessible for us. Their expertise in how law firms work and their understanding of the type of set up law firms have, made them the perfect choice as our cyber security partners. Our Solicitor Consultancy Programme is an essential side of our business and whilst more people are working remotely, Lawyer Checker gives us reassurance that risk and compliance matters are mitigated. Furthermore, Lawyer Checker made obtaining the Cyber Essentials certificate straightforward for us, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Lawyer Checker in the coming years.
Want to know more about our Consultancy Programme?
If you want to know more about our programme and how it can benefit you, please visit our website: https://www.solicitorconsultant.co.uk/ or contact our offices on 0116 464 7559 and ask for the Head of the Consultancy Programme, Gareth Kite. In Gareth’s absence, one of the Directors will be happy to assist you.

Consultancy Programme paves way for progressive working during the pandemic: Traditional Law For centuries, the legal career path has heavily focused around working and meeting clients within the office. As much as we as Solicitors

09/04/2021

As part of their bid to encourage ‘Generation Rent’, the Chancellor announced a new 95% mortgage scheme available to everyone.
The launch of the 5% deposit Help to Buy mortgage scheme will be limited to properties worth up to £600,000 and is open to everyone who wants to own their own home as part of the Prime Minister’s ‘Generation Buy’ campaign as he echoes the sentiments of a previous female Conservative PM.
It is thought that lenders who utilise the scheme will offer fixed mortgages for a minimum of five years to buyers, with the financial institutions able to buy a government guarantee to compensate them for a portion of heir losses in the event a property is repossessed.
However, with this extra added stimulus to the market, what additional pressure and backlog will this add to the system as more buyers hope to benefit from the extension and subsequent tapering of the SDLT holiday?
The property industry has come out in support of the measures outlined by the Chancellor.
Linda Kirk, Director of Conveyancing Adkirk Law, welcomed the Mortgage Guarantee scheme for first-time buyers which gives them the opportunity to buy their own home backed by major banks and building societies with up to 95 per cent mortgages.
“Many lenders have been asking for increasing levels of deposits so many first-time buyers have found it difficult. This will also help stimulate the economy and brings in a new kind of buyer into the market as long as lenders are committed to it.”
Phil Bailey, Director at mortgage technology company Twenty7Tec:
“A government-backed 95% LTV mortgage scheme is just what customers and lenders need in the wake of the pandemic. Although we have seen a 40% increase in mortgage activity, mainly driven through the SDLT reduction and buyer demand, many lenders affordability and acceptance criteria remain stricter than it has been for many years. Coupled with rising house prices, rents and it becoming harder for many to save the required 10-15% deposit. A scheme that supports both customers and lenders will surely provide much need security and confidence in the mortgage and housing market.
“The more confident lenders are in their future outlook and security, the lower their risk appetite and the easier it is secure higher LTV mortgages. A key factor in the success of this scheme will be its simplicity and how lenders consider income multiples, affordability and the price point they set their products and rates at. Previous MIG (Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee) schemes have not always provided the rates or acceptance criteria to make the proposition really meet buyer demand.
“The devil will be in the detail and how lenders chose to receive the news.”
Rob Houghton, CEO of Reallymoving, said:
“We saw the proportion of First Time Buyers in the market drop by 12% in the second half of last year, as they benefited less than existing homeowners from the stamp duty holiday – so we’re pleased to see the Government is focusing on making it easier for them to buy a home. High loan to value mortgages do come with risks but there is a place for them in today’s market as long as First Time Buyers are educated and informed about what could happen if prices fall.
“Not everyone has access to the Bank of Mum and Dad, so the launch of a mortgage guarantee scheme will help democratise home ownership and bring it back within reach of those buying without financial support. There are vast numbers of people who could easily afford monthly mortgage repayments but are stuck paying a higher amount in rent each month, meaning they’re unable to save a deposit.
“The government needs to work with lenders to ensure these loans are available at low interest rates, reflecting the fact that the lender’s risk is reduced. And it’s essential that housebuilding volumes recover quickly following the pandemic – otherwise increased demand will simply inflate prices over the longer term.”
Neil Weston, Principal of Scout Financial Services, said:
“We are thrilled to see Government support for first time buyers included in the Chancellor’s Budget today. We have been calling for greater support for mortgage lenders in this space for a while now and action on this was promised by the PM back in October, so it’s great to finally see a plan in place.
“Whilst the availability of mortgages for 90% of the purchase price has improved recently, the market has remained restricted by tight lending criteria and the lack of high loan-to-value mortgages. More support for lenders to lend a higher percentage of the purchase price will no doubt be welcomed across the industry and by first time buyers. However, many first time buyers may find themselves in a tricky position where they will now have enough money saved for a deposit, but they are unable to secure a mortgage as a result of being furloughed. Recent Treasury figures indicate a total of 4.7 million Brits remain furloughed, many of whom are would-be first time buyers in sectors such as retail, travel and hospitality.
“Furloughed workers looking to buy a home face far fewer mortgage options, with many lenders refusing to consider furloughed income at all. This announcement from the Chancellor today does little to alleviate that; if anything, the extension of the furlough scheme will only exacerbate the problem. If you’re furloughed and unsure about mortgage availability, it might be worth speaking with a whole-of-market mortgage broker, who will be able to explain your options.”
Mark Gordon, Director of Mortgages, comparethemarket.com, comments:
“The Government’s confirmation of a ‘Generation Buy’ scheme will help to fill the small deposit mortgage void which is preventing many first-time buyers getting a foot on the ladder. According to our research, almost one-quarter (23%) of first-time buyers have seen their mortgage lender reduce their loan value in the past year.
“The Government has been consistently trying to boost demand, with the latest extension of the stamp duty holiday, and it’s now up to the industry to act. The confirmation today should give more lenders the confidence to return to the small deposit market. For first-time buyers in particular, this is an important boost to help promote choice and competition in the mortgage market.”
Andy Scaife, CEO of O’Neill Patient, said:
“We are very supportive of the Government’s new mortgage guarantee scheme as it should help to further stimulate the housing market as the stamp duty holiday draws to a close. This will open up the market to home movers and, more significantly, first-time buyers who now have an option of only having to find a 5% deposit.
“The scheme’s appeal is likely to be wide ranging across different incomes as, with this scheme, a 95% mortgage is not just for people on lower salaries buying lower valued homes, it is also for those who have a higher income buying in more expensive areas.”
Paula Higgins, HomeOwners Alliance Chief Executive, commented:
“We welcome the new mortgage guarantee scheme that allows consumers to get a mortgage with just a 5% deposit. It’s great news that the main providers are already on board for when the scheme goes live next month – and that anyone can use the scheme, not just first time buyers.”

95% mortgage scheme, a boost to the market?: As part of their bid to encourage 'Generation Rent', the Chancellor announced a new 95% mortgage scheme available to everyone. The launch of the 5% deposi

04/04/2021

Written by Catherine Shiers, Technical Communications Manager of Groundsure
Weather warnings related to flood risk are constantly hitting the headlines. What was once a phenomenon that occurred occasionally and mainly during winter, is happening more and more often.
There are four main types of flooding that are widely reported on; river, coastal, surface water and groundwater, each intrinsically connected to weather patterns. As of today, according to the Environment agency there are 5.9 million properties at risk of flooding, but as we continue to cut down trees or expand our towns and cities, this number will undoubtedly increase. Ambiental Risk Analytics estimate that by 2050, an additional 1.2 million properties could be at high risk of flooding.
Historically, many of our towns and cities grew up around bodies of water, as these facilitated trade and transport. As these areas have rapidly expanded, suitable land to build is decreasing, and local authorities are looking at floodplains as areas for possible development. In 2019, the Financial Times reported the top 10 local authorities with the highest number of properties located on the floodplain. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of these authorities have experienced severe flooding over the last few years, and maybe surprisingly around 35,000 more homes are planned for these high risk areas.
Local authorities with the most homes at highest risk of flooding

Source: Financial Times 2019. Re-created by Groundsure
In 2020, where a major flood incident was declared in Shropshire due to Storm Dennis, 764 homes are set to be built in areas at risk of flooding, and in Doncaster, where the village of Fishlake was devastated by flooding, nearly 4,000 homes are planned.
Not only does flooding inundate a property with water, it can affect the structural integrity, cause contamination and impact insurance premiums and mortgageability. The UK is unique in its position that if insurance is not available for a property, the property is effectively unmortgageable.
In 2016, the government and insurance industry launched a joint initiative to better protect homes in high risk areas from high insurance premiums – Flood Re. Whilst the scheme thus far has had some successes, it is now clear that relying solely on insurance to pay out may not be sustainable and that homeowners need to play a part in better protecting their properties.
As weather related claims rise, the more insurers have to pay out, ultimately increasing everyone’s premium, and this doesn’t just impact those at risk of flooding.
Insurers and lenders will start to look for homeowners to install property level protection in addition to insurance. Homeowners in the future may not just be able to bank on insurers paying out. The current consultation on amendments to Flood Re looks to encourage greater uptake of property flood resilience among households and it may become a requirement of their insurance policy to have flood protection installed.
Regardless of where you live or what you think you might know about an area, there is a clear need to investigate flood risk in every transaction. A property may not be at risk today, or have ever flooded, but climate change is real and is increasing the intensity and frequency of bad weather. You want to ensure that your clients assets are protected throughout the lifetime of their property.
For more information about how Groundsure can help you investigate and mitigate the potential flood risk faced by your clients visit here.

Groundsure discusses flooding and how it impacts the residential property market, transaction process and conveyancers alike

02/04/2021

Cladding and its impact on enfranchisement will be the subject of the upcoming annual Spring Lecture delivered by the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP).
The lecture will take place online in two 90-minute sessions over the course of Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 March. Both days will begin at 3pm and consist of a lecture and a Q&A session.
The lecture will be hosted by ALEP Director, Mark Chick and ALEP has brought together a host of industry experts to speak about the impact of cladding including:

Dr Nigel Glen, CEO of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)
Fiona Haggett, Head of Valuation at Barclays UK
Dr Jonathan Evans, CEO of Ash and Lacy Building Systems
James Sandham, Barrister at Selborne Chambers
Justin Bates, Barrister at Landmark Chambers
Anna Favre, Partner at Cripps Pemberton Greenish
Colin Horton, Managing Director of Hortons Valuers
Piers Harrison, Barrister at Tanfield Chambers
Mark Wilson, Managing Director of myleasehold
Chris Macartney, Partner at Bishop & Sewell
Richard Murphy, Director at Richard John Clarke
Clive Scrivener, Partner at Scrivener Tibbatts

The cladding crisis has caused anxiety among both leaseholders uncertain as to who will pay for the necessary remedial works and freeholders facing potential liabilities and service charge budgets.
The government recently announced plans to pay £3.5 billion to remove cladding from high-rise buildings. However, the move has been criticised for failing to support those in medium-rise blocks, who will be offered loans to make their buildings safe.
ALEP’s Spring Lecture will address these key problems around cladding and building safety and offer enfranchisement professionals with practical advice on how to deal with the issues going forward.
The online format of the lecture will hope to build on the success of ALEP’s first ‘virtual conference’ in October 2020. Over four days of talks, seminars and panel sessions, the conference was attended by more than 200 delegates. ALEP are anticipating that the lecture will be similarly well-attended and have already sold more than 120 tickets for the event.
Mark Chick, ALEP Director, said:
“Following the impressive turnout that we achieved at our virtual conference in October, we hope that this highly pressing topic will attract similarly high numbers to our Spring Lecture.
“The EWS1 form has dominated the conveyancing world. Many flat owners are unable to sell or remortgage until any uncertainty concerning the exact type of cladding on their block has been resolved.
“Leaseholders have been similarly concerned about the additional costs that they may face. Many blocks wish to address the question of whether to buy their freehold, which is likely to be a response to the issues of repair and service charges that cladding raises.
“Whilst we cannot answer all the questions that this highly emotive topic presents – and indeed, the situation and discussion is ever-evolving – we will provide an advice-led, practical overview and discussion for practitioners facing these issues in their day-to-day practice.”
ALEP’s work places great importance on education and discussion and these will be central to the upcoming Lecture. The opening day will start by providing background to the situation of cladding in the UK property industry and assessing the impact of the EWS1 certificate. It will then consider how the Building Safety Bill and Fire Safety Bill 2020 have changed the situation and the likely consequences they will have.
On the second day of the lecture, the discussion will focus on the effect that cladding issues will have on leaseholders, enfranchisement and valuation and the impact of the recently announced government reforms to the residential leasehold sector. Both days will conclude with a Q&A session to allow delegates to debate the issues that have been discussed.
Tickets are now on sale for the lecture for members and non-members. Please visit https://www.alep.org.uk/event/58/the-alep-spring-lecture-2021-book-now for more information.

Enfranchisement after Grenfell Annual ALEP lecture to reflect on the cladding crisis: Cladding and its impact on enfranchisement will be the subject of the upcoming annual Spring Lecture delivered by the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisem

27/03/2021

Residential conveyancers and estate agents both anticipate the Stamp Duty holiday extension verdict to have a significantly greater impact on their role in 2021 than either the COVID-19 vaccination programme or Brexit – according to the findings of the ‘Thriving in a Pandemic’ report published by tmgroup and mio earlier this month.
The survey of over 600 property professionals also revealed anxiety around an increased number of broken chains and fall-throughs this year.
These concerns were echoed in the verbatim comments captured within the survey, including:

“Without an extension of the Stamp duty holiday or a revision of the rates, the pressure on conveyancers will continue. I worry how much the conveyancers can deal with.” (Residential Conveyancer)

“If the March deadline is not extended, I would imagine we’ll see a higher fall through rate. I have spoken with a fair few clients who are only moving to take advantage of the freeze on SDLT.” (Estate Agent)

“If the Stamp Duty holiday is not extended or eased properly then it’s going to fall off a cliff.” (Estate Agent)

The Spring Budget announcement will bring some certainty to the market
The good news is that the Spring Budget announcement is just around the corner, which will bring some much-needed certainty to the situation – if nothing else, which will also allow business leaders to pause, take stock and continue the year with a renewed focus on achieving their business priorities for 2021 – including business growth, better use of technology, integration and digitisation, as Joe Pepper CEO at tmgroup commented:
“It’s fair to say that the industry has been somewhat distracted by the unusually high volumes of property transactions coming through the pipeline, as well as the uncertainty (and potentially false hope) around the Stamp Duty holiday extension, which remains a critical concern in residential property. However, with the Chancellor set to announce the Spring Budget on 3rd March, there’s not much longer to wait until the industry either welcomes an extension of sorts, or battens down the hatches to cope with the final charge towards the Stamp Duty deadline. Whatever happens, for many in the property industry, I’m sure the 31st March can’t come soon enough.”
Want to find out more? The ‘Thriving in a Pandemic’ report is available to download now.
This article was submitted to be published by tmgroup as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.

Residential property professionals more concerned about Stamp Duty than Covid-19: Residential conveyancers and estate agents both anticipate the Stamp Duty holiday extension verdict to have a significantly greater impact on their role in

22/03/2021

The stamp duty land tax (SDLT) holiday that was introduced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak helped to stimulate a mini-market boom following the three-month closure of the property sector as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The holiday itself is set to end on 31st March. But talks of an extension have been building momentum over recent months as a petition asking the Government for a 6-month extension eclipsed the 100,000 signature threshold and resulted in the petitions committee holding a virtual hearing to enable the points of view to be heard.
The SDLT holiday has split the sector, and sometimes it has been viewed as a poisoned chalice. However, there are those who hope the ‘leaked’ news that the holiday could be extended by six weeks could become a reality. On the other hand, there are those that just want the 31st March 2021 to be over with.
At Today’s Conveyancer we reached out to conveyancers and firms in the sector to see what their views were on the potential extension. Did they think it would have the positive effect of avoiding completion chaos, or would it just add more delay to an already logjammed system that people are working around the clock to rectify?
Kim Derbyshire, Head of Conveyancing at Walsh Solicitors, commented:
“The SDLT holiday has been a welcome break for many homebuyers and home movers during the course of the pandemic, and has ultimately allowed the property market to stay open somewhat.
“The deadline is 31st March 2021, and the current rules state that any transactions which are to benefit must complete by this date.
“However, if this six-week extension was successfully brought in, I think it could lessen the pressures in the industry for conveyancers who are under so much pressure at the moment, and allow more clients to benefit from the holiday.
“On balance though, there are some downsides to this proposed extension. Which include increasing an already pressurised workload for conveyancers for a longer period of time. Plus consideration needs to be given to the long-term effects on the economy and its recovery. A lot of money has been ploughed into the pandemic across the board, and SDLT is a large income for the government, which they could use to begin to recoup the coronavirus debt.”
Chris Proctor, Solicitor at Hattersleys Solicitors, said:
“Whilst the SDLT holiday has provided a welcome boost for our industry in troubled times, any ‘holiday’ has to come to an end (unless the government decides to completely reform or scrap SDLT). It doesn’t matter whether the deadline is 31st March, 30th April, 30th June etc, there will be a stampede of buyers trying to get their transaction over the line. Extending the deadline will only result in another surge of last-minute buyers, increasing the already high pressure on weary professionals who have been doing their best amidst a surge in demand over the last few months.”
Rachel Howe, Head of Conveyancing at Frodsham Solicitors, commented:
“Although I am certain the news comes as a much anticipated relief to buyers gridlocked in the current Conveyancing ja, I am of the opinion that an extension to the deadline will simply serve to prolong the issue we are facing currently. Buyers will still miss out on the relief, just at a later date. The industry as a whole is seeing unprecedented demand and all professions, particularly solicitors and Conveyancers are struggling to keep up. My suggestion would be for transaction with some financial commitment only to be offered an extension for example; exchange; newbuilds exchange without a set completion date or searches ordered/mortgage valuation paid for. This would ensure those already financially invested or committed do not lose out due to the unprecedented demand and delay. It would serve to prevent many chains from collapsing whilst giving the industry a good chance to catch up and get the transactions completed.”
Rob McKellar, Head of CLS Strategic Growth and Residential Conveyancing at Slater and Gordon, said:
“The government has created a Gordion Knot with the SDLT deadline. Extending it would reassure buyers halfway through the process but who are at risk of missing the deadline. The added market activity sparked by the tax break also trickles down to other associated industries such as home improvements, furnishings and removals. A buoyant and liquid housing market is also a major driver of confidence in the wider economy. An extension would also allow pressure in the market as everyone pushes to complete by the end of March to ease, meaning more consumers experiencing a smoother journey to the finish line.
“However, there are some cons to an extension. It just kicks the problem down the road unless the cliff edge becomes a tapered approach. A short extension is unlikely to benefit those who have not yet entered the conveyancing process. Plus, lost revenue puts a hole in the government’s budget.”
The Law Society for England and Wales is calling for urgent action to be taken before the deadline to prevent tens of thousands of property transactions from collapsing at the cliff-edge of the holiday. They appear to be in favour of an extension or tapering of the holiday and are urging people to write to their local MP.
David Greene, President of the Law Society, said:
“While the SDLT holiday was a welcome step to help revitalize the property market after the impact of lockdown, it has become increasingly clear that the abrupt end of the holiday on 31st March combined with a bottleneck in the market could cause significant disruption.
“Thousands of transactions and chains could collapse at the last minute, leaving consumers who had hoped to take advantage of the concession to move into their dream home instead stranded and saddled with unrecoverable costs for transactions that fell through.
“Urgent action needs to be taken to soften this cliff edge and protect home buyers and sellers from being out of the scheme, out of luck and out of pocket.
“That’s why we are encouraging people to write to their MP urging them to raise these concerns in Parliament and with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and to ask the government to take swift action before 31 March.”

Proposed SDLT extension a blessing? Or a curse?: The stamp duty land tax (SDLT) holiday that was introduced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak helped to stimulate a mini-market boom following the three-month closu

Priority House Buying

12/04/2021

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