In brief: SPG referral scheme set for launch

Firms which do not want to get directly involved in the housing market will still be able to make money through referring clients to their property selling colleagues. The Solicitors Property Group is set to launch a referral scheme whereby firms can pass on property selling clients to other solicitors for a fee which is likely to be three to four times the usual estate agent referral fee. Meanwhile, the Master of the Rolls, Lord Woolf, has indicated that a minimum of four firms will have to join up to form a property centre before they will be able to take advantage of new rules designed to allow solicitors to double-up as estate agents.