John German Estate Agents has been selling, letting, and valuing homes since the nineteenth century. Still independently owned, it has established itself as one of the most trusted estate agents in the Midlands. To find out more about how Checkboard is helping this venerable institution adapt to the modern property market, we spoke to Operations […]
How solicitors can find their compliance weak links
According to a recent report by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), solicitors are still “high risk” for money laundering. Despite cases remaining low overall, the SRA identifies lawyers as a weak link in the compliance chain. Criminals target the legal profession for the legitimacy it offers, but they’re being enabled by crooked solicitors. So says […]
How conveyancing firms are using onboarding automation to grow
Across the conveyancing landscape, automation is unlocking serious growth. From small practices to conveyancing giants, firms are adopting tech solution to onboard clients faster and more efficiently. But what does automation look like in practice, and what are the real benefits to this revolution? Scale efficiently with automation For many firms, growing the business simply […]
How conveyancers should start the customer relationship
For conveyancers, the entire customer relationship is important. But the first ten days set the tone for every transaction. That’s why getting those early steps right is vital to your success. Why are the first ten days important? The moment a client instructs you, the countdown begins. These first ten days are the critical window […]
How to make AML compliance part of your brand value
Anti-money laundering (AML) compliance is often treated as a chore. But in the right hands, it’s also an important way to signal trust. Conveyancing firms need to understand how to make it work as a tool for increasing their reputation. Why is good compliance important? AML compliance is important. For many firms, however, it’s just […]
How legal firms can avoid facilitating money laundering
Legal professionals are inadvertently facilitating money laundering. The government calls these “professional enablers” – individuals or organisations that have failed, whether by negligence or deliberate action, to do their due diligence. Conveyancing, trusts, and management of client accounts are considered the most high-risk areas for money laundering due to the large sums of money involved. Compliance […]
AML checks when buying a house
Your estate agent or conveyancer may have asked you to provide evidence for anti-money laundering (AML) checks. This is now a normal and necessary part of the process of buying a house. But what exactly is the danger of money laundering, and what checks must conveyancers and estate agents perform to help them meet their […]
Performing a landlord check and right to rent check
For letting agents, tenants, and landlords, renting property is fraught with difficulty. Property owners face legal and financial risks from prospective tenants with no right to rent, while some renters find themselves forking out thousands of pounds to landlords who don’t even have legal rights over their property. To avoid these legal, financial, and reputational […]
What is a biometric ID check in conveyancing?
Biometric data refers to the biological measurements used to identify a person. This includes fingerprints, facial recognition, and retina scans, but blood type, gait, and even the way you smile can be unique identifiers. You probably encounter some of these identifiers daily simply when you’re unlocking your phone. Face and fingerprint scanning are commonplace across […]
Do conveyancers need to rethink how they qualify property clients?
Client qualification is no longer just about affordability. An increasingly risky property market demands a more thorough approach to due diligence. But technology allows firms to turn this onerous regulatory burden into a swift, smart process. How qualification has changed Traditionally, qualifying a client simply meant ensuring they had the ability to repay their fees […]