Homeowners report 71% satisfaction with conveyancers despite declining service levels in recent years.
- A survey by the HomeOwners Alliance shows increased demand for quicker conveyancing processes.
- New homeowners highlight delays, poor communication, and unclear procedures as key issues.
- Nearly half of homeowners lack comprehensive understanding of conveyancing responsibilities.
- Government efforts are underway to streamline the conveyancing process through digitisation.
The HomeOwners Alliance recently conducted a survey involving 2,000 participants, with 1,326 of these respondents being homeowners. The findings revealed that 71% of homeowners expressed satisfaction with the performance of their conveyancers. Despite this, concerns were raised as service standards have reportedly diminished over the past five years.
Highlighting key areas for improvement, the survey revealed that 78% of those who had purchased homes within the previous five years believed the process could be enhanced. Among the primary concerns was the speed of transactions, with 43% of respondents citing delays as a significant issue. Suggestions for improvement included more frequent communication, clearer legal explanations, and extended service hours.
Furthermore, a substantial proportion of those surveyed displayed a lack of understanding regarding conveyancing. Although 77% had heard of conveyancing, only 53% possessed some understanding of its purpose. The role of conveyancers in representing both the buyer and the mortgage lender was not commonly known, with nearly half unaware of this dual responsibility.
In terms of selecting conveyancers, recommendations and referrals were pivotal. Of those who had acquired homes within the last five years, 26% found their conveyancer through their mortgage broker, with family and estate agent recommendations also serving as significant sources. Additionally, the last five years have seen a rise in the use of online searches and comparison websites for finding conveyancing services.
The government’s involvement in addressing these issues is evident from the recent remarks made by the housing minister. The government acknowledges the slow, costly, and stressful nature of the current home buying process and is working to modernise it. Initiatives include HM Land Registry’s project to digitise local authority search data, a move expected to expedite responses and reduce transaction timelines.
Efforts to enhance the conveyancing process aim to benefit all stakeholders involved in home transactions.
