PERG 14.2 General issues

Q2. What is the purpose of the Regulation of Financial Services (Land Transactions) Act 2005?

This Act makes clear that the potential regulatory scope of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 enables the FCA to regulate activities that are similar to those that are already regulated when carried on in relation to traditional mortgages but which involve the provider acquiring land rather than simply providing finance for its purchase by the homeowner. This typically includes:

  • schemes 3where a provider buys an interest in a homeowner’s property and allows the homeowner to continue to reside in the property (‘home reversion plans’);3
  • certain types of Islamic financing arrangements designed to enable the purchase of a home in a way that is acceptable under Islamic law, such as Ijara or diminishing Musharaka ('home purchase plans');2 and3
  • schemes where a provider buys an interest in a homeowner’s property and allows the homeowner to continue to reside in the property in return for payment of rent (‘sale and rent back agreement’).2

Q3. I propose to carry on activities in relation to home finance arrangements of the kind mentioned in Q2. In what circumstances will I need to be authorised under FSMA or be an exempt person?

You will need to be an authorised or exempt person if you will:

  • be carrying on regulated activities;
  • be doing so by way of business;
  • be doing so on or after 6 April 2007 in relation to home purchase plans and home reversion plans or on or after 1 July 2009 in relation to sale and rent back agreements;2 and
  • be doing so in the United Kingdom.

Q4. How will I know if my proposed home finance activities are regulated?

Regulated activities are specified in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (‘the Regulated Activities Order’). This was1 amended, following the enactment of the Regulation of Financial Services (Land Transactions) Act 2005, to extend its scope to cover certain home finance activities. These amendments were1 made in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No2) Order 2006 (SI 2006/2383) which came1 into effect on 6 April 2007 and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2009 (SI 2009/1342) which came into effect on 1 July 2009.2 Regulated1 home finance activities are:

But some activities are specifically excluded from regulatory scope.

1111