Transforming Conveyancing; a faster, smarter approach

For years, the UK property market has faced one persistent challenge: the slow and often frustrating conveyancing process. Lengthy delays, unclear communication, and high fall-through rates have made buying and selling property more stressful than it needs to be.

The average UK property transaction takes around 16–20 weeks to complete, with many taking even longer due to:

• Delays in gathering legal documents – Sellers often begin assembling essential paperwork only after an offer is accepted, causing unnecessary waiting times.
• Unforeseen issues surfacing late – Hidden problems, such as boundary disputes or restrictive covenants, can derail transactions at the last minute.
• Breakdowns in communication – Estate agents, solicitors, buyers, and sellers often operate in silos, leading to bottlenecks.
• High fall-through rates – Roughly 30% of UK property transactions collapse before completion often due to late discoveries or delays frustrating buyers.

A more collaborative, tech-driven approach is key to speeding up transactions and creating a stress-free experience for all involved.

The Power of Early Preparation

One of the biggest causes of delay is a lack of upfront information. Buyers and sellers often underestimate the importance of early preparation, but having the right documents ready from the outset can significantly streamline the process.

Clients often underestimate the importance of early preparation. They need to be encouraged to compile necessary documentation before making an offer, ensuring a swift transition once a deal is agreed upon. Sellers, in particular, benefit from preparing material information in advance, allowing estate agents to market the property efficiently while maintaining compliance.

By sharing material information early, buyers can be empowered to make informed decisions, minimising unexpected issues that could derail the process. Searches can take weeks depending on the local authority’s processing times. Initiating them as soon as possible minimises delays later in the transaction.

Material Information

While HIPs were scrapped in 2010, modern upfront information packs offer a practical alternative and promote collaboration between estate agents and conveyancers. These initiatives aim to create a more transparent and efficient property market.

By embracing the principle of upfront property disclosure, estate agents, conveyancers, and property professionals can play a key role in transforming the buying and selling experience. A more proactive, technology-driven approach benefits everyone—reducing stress, speeding up transactions, and ultimately making the property market more reliable and efficient.

When key legal and structural details are disclosed early, buyers can make informed decisions before making an offer. This eliminates much of the back-and-forth that typically slows down the conveyancing process. Sellers won’t have to scramble to find missing documents after a sale is agreed, expediting legal preparations.

With clearer information upfront, buyers are less likely to pull out due to unexpected issues. Transparency at an early stage reduces the likelihood of nasty surprises later, ensuring smoother transactions and fewer collapsed deals.

Source of Funds

Conveyancers are under immense pressure to verify the legitimacy of funds in property transactions. With anti-money laundering (AML) regulations tightening and regulators, such as HMRC and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) increasing scrutiny, conveyancers must meticulously check the source of funds to prevent financial crime.

Failure to carry out proper due diligence can have severe consequences, including substantial fines, reputational damage, and, in the worst cases, criminal liability. The legal sector has already seen firms penalised for lapses in AML compliance, making it essential for conveyancers to remain vigilant.

However, one of the biggest challenges is the perception that conveyancers are ‘delaying’ transactions. Buyers and sellers may become frustrated when additional documentation is requested, but this is often due to incomplete or untraceable sources of funds.

A common issue is clients mixing trackable funds (such as bank transfers from salary or savings) with cash deposits that lack a clear audit trail. This not only raises red flags for conveyancers, but also puts the entire transaction at risk. Robust digital ID and source of funds verification tools streamline the process, reducing delays while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Better Communication, Smoother Transactions

Estate agents are the bridge between buyers, sellers, and legal teams. Keeping them informed is crucial. Traditional postal communication slows down transactions. By utilising online tools for document submission and status tracking, unnecessary delays can be eliminated.

Regular updates to clients minimise inbound queries, leading to a more seamless experience and lower call volumes. Proactively managing expectations prevents unnecessary frustration and keeps transactions on track.
Establishing a direct line of communication with the conveyancer on the other side of the transaction is crucial. Identifying the preferred completion date early and working towards it in a coordinated manner prevents last-minute setbacks.

Providing all stakeholders – estate agents, conveyancers, mortgage brokers, and buyers—with access to the same set of property details fosters a more cohesive approach. This ensures quicker responses to queries and a smoother journey to completion.

And finally, unnecessary generic enquiries slow down the process. Conveyancing should be a collaborative effort – akin to a football team working together toward a goal. By ensuring that property enquiries are specific and relevant, we can prevent delays and keep transactions moving efficiently.

Embracing Technology for a Faster Process

Technology is revolutionising the property industry, from blockchain property records to AI-driven legal processes. A structured, digital-first approach to upfront information aligns with these innovations, paving the way for an even more streamlined and automated future.

While e-signatures can significantly speed up document processing, not all law firms currently accept them. We continue to push for wider adoption, recognising the potential time savings for all parties involved.
Automation tools streamline the conveyancing process by handling ID checks, document management, and Land Registry submissions efficiently. Email, video calls, and even chatbots can facilitate faster communication, addressing common queries without unnecessary delays.

Building a More Collaborative Industry

By anticipating the requirements of the other conveyancer, we can proactively gather necessary information from our clients. This prevents unnecessary back-and-forth exchanges – often referred to as ‘enquiries tennis’ – which can slow progress. Education is key – webinars, guides, and industry discussions can help agents and buyers better understand the legal process, from anti-money laundering (AML) compliance to property enquiries and funding sources.

The Future of Conveyancing

Conveyancing is often viewed as a frustrating bottleneck in property transactions, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, combining collaboration, technology, and proactive communication, the industry can transform it into a seamless experience that benefits all parties.

By embracing technology, fostering strategic partnerships, and prioritising clear, proactive communication, we can accelerate property transactions, improve client satisfaction, and redefine what great conveyancing looks like. Conveyancing is more than just processing transaction. It’s about building strong, strategic partnerships with estate agents.

Adam Bainbridge is Sales Manager of RG Law