The Conveyancing Association (CA) has reported a progression of redesigns and upgrades to its Conveyancing Progression Training Course.
The progressions to the course have been realized by various late advancements, incorporating the expansion in stamp dury charges for purchasers of second homes in addition to the presentation of the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD).
There has additionally been input from the individuals who have as of now been through the course and this has likewise been joined into the preparation materials.
Andrew Dewar, joint senior partner at Curchods Estate Agents, was one of those giving input. He said: “For new people the course will be hugely useful. For established people like myself there is always something to learn. I think it is about as ’granular’ as you want it to be as an ‘appreciation’. You don’t want to turn agents into solicitors. God forbid.”
The course is accessible for new conveyancing initiates, estate agents, and home loan specialists.
There have been various overhauls covering off key territories including:
· The issue of caveat emptor because of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 – this effects estate agents around what they ought to advise purchasers preceding viewing. This was not previously considered inside the conveyancer’s scope but recent Law Society direction and the adjustment in the description of traders achieved by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 means it has more significance to the conveyancing, and in addition the marketing process. Basically, conveyancers ought to decline to represent a seller who deludes or excludes data
· The MCD – this implies borrowers now have a seven-day reflection period. As a few lenders require formal acceptance of the offer this may affect on completion dates
· Stamp Duty Land Tax – 3% extra duty on extra homes.
After feedback there have additionally been changes to how the course questions are laid out, making it more instinctive for students, in addition there is a new section explaining how to explore the modules, additional directions for navigation all through the course, and learners can now add a glossary of terms which they can refer back to once the course is done.
Every single existing learner will have free access to this new upgraded version of the preparation material; the individuals who have effectively finished the course can take it again if they wish, however their current certificate will stay valid in the event that they choose not to re-do the course in full.
“It’s obviously important to our training proposition that as the sector changes and develops we recognise and cover this within our materials. Stakeholders will know only too well that in the past month alone we have seen a considerable number of changes which need to be reflected in the course in order to deliver an up-to-date 360-degree view of the sector. We have been able to quickly do this, plus with feedback from those who have already gone through the course, we have also been able to make the system and process much more user-friendly and clear when it comes to detailing course progression and testing.
“Those currently taking the course can choose to go back and move through the updated sections, while those who have already completed it can also review the new information in order to understand what it means, and the implications for the conveyancing process. We’re sure that all practitioners and those with a stake in the sector will want to keep abreast of these changes and we are committed to ensuring that the course and the materials reflect all ongoing developments.”