MPowered Mortgages has announced its biggest drop in rates since Christmas last year, cutting rates by up to 47 bps across its entire fixed-rate mortgage range. Its five-year products now start from 4.38%, down from 4.84%, with rates for remortgages starting at 4.68% from 5.14%, with both products coming with a £1,999 arrangement fee. Without the arrangement fee, purchase and remortgage products are now at 4.53% and 4.78% respectively. For its 10-year fixed range, rates have been slashed by 30bps and now start at 4.59% and 4.69% for purchases and remortgages respectively at 85% LTV, with a £999 arrangement fee.

Quilter has announced the appointment of Paul Canning as business development manager for London and the South East. The new role is part of a revamped and regionally focused business development team, led by Quilter’s head of business development and discretionary sales, Graham Folley. Canning brings over 30 years’ experience to the role and joins Quilter after 17 years at Abrdn, where he recently held the role of strategic relationship director. He has also held roles in financial services at Royal London, RSA and Aviva. Canning will be focused on building long-term strategic relationships with financial advisers and will be responsible for providing support around regulatory and business challenges and helping firms to grow and run more efficiently.

The Conveyancing Association has updated its guidance document for conveyancing firms which addresses the Building Safety Act and Building Safety (Leaseholder Protection) regulations 2022. Leaseholder protections outline the need for a leaseholder deed of certificate and landlord certificate, and apply to buildings at least 11 metres/five storeys, while the regulatory framework applies to buildings over 18 metres with a special role for the Buildings Safety Regulations. The new guidance includes updates to the frequently asked questions and answers sections, as well as a list of questions all conveyancing firms should consider when working on cases with relevant buildings, including how to determine height and the number of storeys, who is a qualified leaseholder and evidence required.

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