Landmark Information Group has today published Property Transaction Reform: What the Market Wants Next, its 2026 research into residential property transactions.

It includes insights from 250 property professionals, including 100 residential conveyancers, and 500 home movers who had bought and/or sold in the last 18 months. The research took place in August 2026 as the sector began preparing for the Government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform roadmap, published in June.

Their answers show a profession seeing real progress, while still carrying a heavy load.

Fewer additional enquiries, less chasing

The average proportion of cases needing additional enquiries, because of missing, incomplete or inaccurate upfront information, has fallen from 51% in 2024 to 43% in 2025 and 33% in 2026.

Time spent chasing is down too. Conveyancers estimate they now spend 34% of their working day chasing other parties or responding to requests for updates, compared with 41% in 2025.

Liz Jarvis, Managing Director of OneSearch, said: “The fall in additional enquiries is a meaningful improvement. But the reality is that a considerable proportion of cases still need more questioning, and spending around a third of your working day chasing is still significant.”

Earlier information is seen as the answer

More than three quarters of conveyancers (77%) identified at least one improvement to upfront information and data readiness that could improve productivity and business success.

Their clients point the same way. 95% of home movers surveyed agreed that having key property information available at the point of listing would make moving less stressful.

Ready for reform, waiting for clarity

Most conveyancers (81%) believe meaningful reform of the home buying process is long overdue, and 72% expect significant or moderate operational change from preparing for earlier buyer and seller commitment.

Fewer feel ready to act on it. Only 64% agree there is enough clarity in the roadmap to start considering the changes required.

“Firms need more clarity about the information they require” Liz added. “This includes when it needs to become available and, really importantly, how it’s going to move between the different parties. The more certainty they have around those requirements, the better placed they’ll be to look at their current processes and where they need to be.”

What the report recommends

The report sets out four priorities for a more connected transaction: closing the upfront information gap, mitigating unexpected issues, reducing chasing, and connecting the market through better information sharing and communication.

To explore the findings in full, download Property Transaction Reform: What the Market Wants Next.

The conversation around upfront information is gathering pace.

The Government Home Buying and Selling Reform, industry collaboration and growing consumer expectations are all pointing towards a future where more property information is available earlier in the transaction process.

While the detail and timing of future reforms will continue to evolve, the direction of travel is becoming increasingly clear: better information, shared sooner, to support faster, more transparent and more certain property transactions.

For conveyancers, that presents an opportunity.

How can firms begin preparing for that future today while continuing to deliver efficient, informed and client-focused services?

That’s where Sales Pack Ready comes in.

Supporting better-informed transactions from the start

For many conveyancers, one of the biggest challenges in a transaction is dealing with issues that only emerge once a matter is already underway.

Whether it’s property-related risks, local considerations or information that triggers additional enquiries, late visibility can create delays, uncertainty and additional work for everyone involved.

Sales Pack Ready has been developed to help address that challenge.

By bringing together trusted property information at the earliest stage of a transaction, Sales Pack Ready helps conveyancers gain earlier visibility of important information and start transactions from a stronger foundation.

Why earlier information matters

The industry’s focus on upfront information is not simply about regulatory reform. It is about improving outcomes across the transaction chain.

Research referenced within HM Land Registry’s strategy identified that transaction fall-throughs cost sellers around £400 million every year across England and Wales.

While no single solution can eliminate every delay or failed transaction, the earlier key information is available, the greater the opportunity to identify issues sooner, support better informed decisions and reduce unnecessary surprises later in the process.

For conveyancers, that can mean more productive conversations with clients, earlier risk identification and greater confidence as transactions progress.

Designed for conveyancers

Sales Pack Ready helps conveyancers access trusted property information at the outset of a transaction, supporting a more informed approach from instruction onwards.

Benefits include:

• Earlier visibility of property-related issues and constraints
• Better-informed client conversations from the beginning
• Reduced reliance on information emerging later in the process
• Improved transaction readiness
• Greater confidence when progressing matters

Rather than changing the way conveyancers work, Sales Pack Ready is designed to help firms start with more information already available.

What’s included?

Sales Pack Ready brings together a bundle of trusted property information, including:

• Regulated Local Search
• Drainage & Water Search
• Homecheck Residential Report

Together, these provide an early view of potential risks, constraints and considerations that could affect a property transaction.

Supporting better collaboration across the transaction chain

While conveyancers are at the heart of the transaction process, the benefits of earlier information extend beyond the legal profession.

Estate agents can help sellers bring properties to market in a more informed and prepared position. Buyers gain greater transparency earlier in the process. Lenders and brokers can access important property insights sooner.

By helping make trusted property information available from the outset, Sales Pack Ready supports a more connected and collaborative approach across the transaction chain.

Why act now?

The move towards greater use of upfront information will be gradual, but the advantages of earlier access to trusted property information are relevant today.

At OneSearch, we believe that when innovation can help improve outcomes for conveyancers and their clients, it should be made available as early as possible. This gives firms time to understand emerging approaches, assess how they fit within existing processes and adopt change at a pace that works for them.

Sales Pack Ready provides a practical way to begin that journey today while preparing for the future direction of the property market.

A market ready for change

Rob Steadman, Sales Director, said:

“The industry’s ambition is clear: faster, more transparent and more certain property transactions. Achieving that starts with improving the availability of trusted information at the beginning of the process.

Sales Pack Ready helps conveyancers and property professionals take practical steps towards that future today. By bringing key property information together earlier, we’re helping firms become better prepared while supporting the direction of travel set by both industry and Government.“

Looking ahead

The move towards greater use of upfront information will not happen overnight.

However, momentum behind the Government Home Buying and Selling Reform continues to grow, and firms are already considering how they can adapt to changing expectations and evolving ways of working.

Sales Pack Ready offers a practical way for firms to begin preparing today while building confidence for the future.

As the market continues to evolve, OneSearch will remain a trusted partner to conveyancers, helping firms understand upcoming changes, adapt with confidence and realise the benefits of earlier access to trusted property information.

Find out more

Ready to take a more informed approach from instruction?

Speak to your Account Manager or contact the OneSearch team to learn more about how Sales Pack Ready can support your firm.

As a trusted partner to conveyancers, we’re here to help you prepare for and benefit from the opportunities created by the Government Home Buying and Selling Reform.

The property industry has long recognised the need for a faster, more transparent and more predictable homebuying process.

That’s why organisations from across the transaction chain have come together to support Project 28: A Charter for faster, more certain property transactions – an industry-wide initiative focused on reducing the time from sale agreed to exchange to just 28 days.

As part of that commitment, OneSearch has officially joined the Charter as a member, supporting its ambition to improve certainty, transparency and efficiency across the homebuying process.

The Charter was developed through unprecedented collaboration between estate agents, conveyancers, lenders, mortgage brokers and property data providers, all united behind a practical blueprint to improve the homebuying and selling process. Its focus is simple: reduce delays, improve transparency, encourage earlier access to key information and create greater certainty for everyone involved in a transaction.

For OneSearch, the Charter’s commitment to trusted data, upfront information and better collaboration across the transaction chain closely aligns with our own mission to help conveyancers make informed decisions quickly and confidently. As a member, we’re excited to play our part in helping drive positive, lasting change across the industry.

As Robert Steadman, Sales Director at OneSearch, explains:

“The initiative represents a significant opportunity for the industry to come together and accelerate positive change in the homebuying process. By improving access to trusted property information and encouraging greater collaboration across the transaction chain, we can help reduce delays, increase certainty and ultimately deliver better outcomes for consumers and property professionals alike. We’re proud to play our part in helping shape the future of property transactions.”

The challenges facing the homebuying process won’t be solved overnight, but the Charter represents an important step towards a more efficient, transparent and predictable future. By working together, the industry has a genuine opportunity to reduce friction, lower fall-through rates and improve the experience for buyers, sellers and property professionals alike.

To learn more about the Project 28 Charter and its eight commitments, visit the official Charter website.

On Friday 19^th June 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced a package of reforms, shaped in collaboration with industry,  to transform the property transaction process in England and Wales.

The reforms follow a public consultation that ran from October to December 2025 and set out a phased roadmap to make transactions faster, more reliable and less likely to fall through.

Let’s spend five minutes tackling what the announcement is, and why it’s a vital step in the right direction.

What is changing for conveyancers?

The most notable change is a mandatory requirement for sellers to compile upfront sales packs before a property is listed. These packs must include:

• Standard property searches
• A property condition assessment
• Title information and seller ID verification
• Leasehold terms (where applicable)
• Flood risk, planning consents, and chain status.

This means key information that conveyancers currently wait weeks for should be available from the outset of a transaction.

When do these changes come into effect?

The reforms are being phased in across the remainder of this Parliament:

• Later this year: A Code of Practice for property agents and improved listing standards
• From 2027: Consultation on estate agent qualifications and expanded digital tools.
• By end of Parliament: Legislation requiring sales packs, binding contracts, and trusted digital property data systems.

There are no immediate mandatory requirements for conveyancers to act on right now.

Are upfront sales packs the same as Home Information Packs?

Conveyancers with longer memories will recognise the concept. Home Information Packs (HIPs) were introduced in England and Wales in 2007 and required sellers to compile key property information before listing, including searches and title documents. They were scrapped in 2010.

The Government’s current proposals share similar underlying principles – getting information to buyers and their legal representatives earlier – but the approach is different. Rather than a like-for-like revival of HIPs, the reforms are framed around a broader digital, data-led agenda, with mandatory sales packs forming one part of a wider programme of change.

Why do upfront property searches matter?

Searches sit at the centre of the reform agenda. Requiring them as part of upfront sales packs means conveyancers will have access to search data earlier in the transaction than has traditionally been the case, reducing the need to chase information mid-process and helping to identify potential issues before they cause delays.

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To answer the burning question of “well what should we, as conveyancers, do now?”, the answer is nothing, for the time being, but be aware that the direction of travel is clear. Conveyancers who are already working with reliable, comprehensive search providers will be well placed to adapt as the reforms take effect.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has today announced a broad reform programme, shaped in collaboration with industry, to transform the home buying and selling process in England and Wales.

The announcement follows a public consultation that ran from October to December 2025 and sets out a phased roadmap to make property transactions faster, more steadfast, and less prone to collapse.

For conveyancers, the implications are significant, and largely positive. Here is what you need to know.

What has been announced?

At the heart of the reforms is a mandatory requirement for sellers to compile upfront sales packs before a property is listed. These packs must include standard property searches and a property condition assessment, meaning key transactional information will be available to buyers and their legal representatives much earlier in the process.

Estate agents will also be required to include a defined set of information within property listings, covering tenure, title information, seller ID verification, council tax band, EPC rating, leasehold terms, flood risk, planning consents, chain status and more.

The broader reform agenda also covers digital property data, common data standards, trusted digital ID verification, and a longer-term move towards more binding contracts to reduce late fall-throughs.

Why does this matter for conveyancers?

For too long, the conveyancing process has been reactive by necessity. Critical information, such as searches, title details, planning history, and leasehold arrangements have typically arrived late in the process, often after an offer has been accepted. The knock-on impact creates delays, generates unnecessary enquiries and, at worst, leads to transactions failing entirely.

This is precisely the problem the reforms are designed to fix. As Liz Jarvis, Divisional Director of Legal and Search at Landmark Information Group, puts it:

“For conveyancers, the biggest challenge is often that key information arrives too late. When issues relating to title, planning, leasehold arrangements, or property condition only emerge after an offer has been accepted, delays become almost inevitable.

“The Government’s focus on upfront information and digital property packs has the potential to change that. By bringing together more of the information needed to support a transaction at the outset, conveyancers can identify issues earlier, reduce unnecessary enquiries and help transactions progress more smoothly.

“If implemented effectively, these reforms could help shift the process from one that is often reactive to one that is far more prepared and predictable.”

What does this mean in practice?

The roadmap is phased, so not everything changes overnight. The key milestones are:

• Later this year – A Code of Practice setting minimum standards for property agents, plus guidance on improving the quality of information in listings.
• From 2027 – Consultation on estate agent qualifications and expanded digital tools
• By the end of Parliament – Comprehensive legislation requiring sales packs, binding contracts, and digital systems for sharing trusted property information.

There are no immediate mandatory changes for conveyancers to act on right now. But the tide is already turning, and conveyancers who are prepared when it comes in will be in a far stronger position than those still looking for their footing on the shore.

Where do property searches fit in?

Searches sit at the very centre of this reform agenda. The mandatory requirement to include standard searches within upfront sales packs places search data earlier in the transaction than ever before. For conveyancers, this means the information you currently spend time chasing mid-transaction should increasingly be available from day one.

That is a significant operational shift, and an opportunity. Conveyancers who are already working with reliable, comprehensive search providers will be well placed to adapt quickly and confidently.

The first quarter of the year is always a pressure test for conveyancing teams.

Instructions from January are hitting their critical middle stage, client patience is thinning, and the industry’s average instruction-to-completion time of 123 days means the calendar is already working against you.

But in 2026, there’s a sharper edge to that pressure. It isn’t just workload – it’s the compounding effect of unreliable information. Missing details, inconsistent datasets, and errors that should never have made it through create a different kind of drag: one that’s harder to plan for and harder to explain to clients.

At the core of most preventable delays lies a single, underappreciated factor: data integrity.

Conveyancers are absorbing the cost of poor data.

Research shows conveyancers now spend 41% of their working day following up on updates, correcting inconsistencies, or chasing missing details – all consequences of inaccurate or incomplete data reaching them in the first place.

That’s not a workflow problem. It’s a data problem presenting as a workflow problem.

When so much time is consumed fixing issues that shouldn’t exist, the knock-on effects are predictable: slower progress, more enquiries, frustrated clients, and a rising risk of transactions falling through. And even a single misallocated or incorrect data point can derail what should be a straightforward case.

Why this matters more than most realise.

Across the sector, Landmark research has identified the data challenges that consistently create friction for conveyancing firms: poor system integration and interoperability (cited by 37% of firms), security and compliance concerns (37%), legacy systems and limited IT bandwidth (36%), and inconsistent formats that make data difficult to reconcile.

Each of these feeds the same outcome: fragmented files, unexpected queries, and delays that compound across complex chains.

The rise of digital tools has brought genuine efficiencies – 78% of firms now use AI to assist fee earners – but technology is only as reliable as the information feeding it. Better tools with unreliable data still produce unreliable outcomes.

What conveyancers actually need.

The conveyancers who handle high-pressure periods most effectively aren’t necessarily those with the fastest turnaround times. They’re the ones who aren’t constantly firefighting.

What makes the difference, consistently, is information that arrives complete, accurate, and early enough to act on. The evidence backs this up: 73% of conveyancers say early insights give buyers more confidence, 69% say it speeds up the transaction overall, and 61% say it reduces the number of enquiries raised.

Clear, early data doesn’t add friction at the start of a transaction – it removes it from everywhere else.

When data goes wrong, the ripple is wide.

The consequences of poor-quality data rarely stay contained. A minor discrepancy caught late can collapse a deal. Incorrect property attributes introduce risk for buyers. Outdated environmental data can expose clients to liabilities they weren’t warned about. Extra enquiries lengthen timelines and increase administrative load. And throughout, the conveyancer’s professional reputation absorbs the strain.

In a market where clients expect clarity and estate agents are monitoring progress closely, even small data failures carry outsized consequences.

What a good data partnership looks like in practice.

The strongest advantage a search provider can offer in 2026 isn’t speed alone – it’s accuracy you can rely on, delivered early enough to change outcomes rather than just document them.

That means verified, consistently reliable datasets. It means reducing the time spent on avoidable administrative work. It means insights that support better client conversations, not ones that generate more questions. And it means acting as a genuine extension of the conveyancing team – not a detached supplier that creates extra steps.

With caseloads under pressure and timelines stretching, the difference between a partner and a vendor is whether they make your workload lighter or heavier.

For conveyancers navigating a demanding market, data integrity isn’t a technical concern sitting somewhere in the background – it’s the foundation every smooth transaction is built on.