In this blog, we will look at how providing OneSearch Pledge can enhance your reputation as a conveyancer and provide considerable peace of mind to your clients that their search costs will not be lost if their transaction does not proceed.
Nearly one in three residential property transactions fell through in 2024 (an estimated 296,204 transactions), with each one estimated to cost the home buyer an average of £3,456; that equates to losses of over £1bn. The wider economic losses due to fall through are estimated at £8.6 billion. The UK’s high property fall-through rate is not just a statistic; it represents a significant risk to your clients’ finances and your firm’s reputation and efficiency.
Consider that for each residential property fall-through:
While the estimates of costs vary, it is clear that the hundreds of thousands of property fall-throughs have an enormous impact on the wider economy, property transaction stakeholders, and potential buyers.
For a fee of approximately £15 per transaction, your clients can be reassured that should their matter fall through, they will receive up to £300 to cover their search costs. Given that the average cost of searches is around £400, this will return most of their search-related costs.
Offering a solution like OneSearch Pledge can really create a point of difference for your conveyancing practice, i.e., that you care. Many purchasers want to know that if their matter falls through for reasons outside of their control, they will not be financially out of pocket as a result. Not only does providing the assurance of Pledge show that you are committed to client care, but there will be a corresponding reduction in complaints and disputes arising from aborted transaction costs. Depending on your business model, you may choose to pass on the fee for Pledge or absorb this within your own costs in the knowledge that it may encourage more clients to choose your lower-risk offering.
As far as the client is concerned, they simply need to tick the option to be covered by Pledge. There is no application form, detailed paperwork, or investment of their time. In the event that they need to claim against their Pledge warranty, all they need to do is inform their conveyancer, who will advise Onesearch. If the claim is approved, the amount is paid to the client within 15 working days.
The exceptionally high level of fall-throughs in 2024/25 means that the risk of losing search fees is significant. While some customers will feel that they can absorb the cost of lost search fees if their matter falls through, many will not because they cannot afford to lose hundreds of pounds due to factors outside their control. By providing the peace of mind that Pledge provides, your conveyancing firm can demonstrate its commitment to customer care and respect for the precious financial resources of clients. We have made Pledge as simple as possible for all stakeholders – one small fee, no paperwork, and an easy claim process.
How can I help my client understand the value of Pledge?
Many home buyers may take the view that the risk of their purchase falling through is negligible. It is important to explain that the rate of aborted transactions is much higher than people think (i.e. nearly one-third in 2024). Furthermore, there is no guarantee that any subsequent purchase transactions will go through the first time. As a result, the fees for aborted transactions may start to add up. The fee is extremely small in the grand scheme of the purchase, but having a pledge means that they won’t waste money that can be put towards searching for a future purchase.
Will Pledge reimburse the seller if the seller pulls out?
Any OneSearch fees will be reimbursed to the buyer if the seller pulls out of the transaction. Specifically, we will cover the search fees if the seller is not in a legal position to sell the property or they accept a higher offer from another buyer and the home buyer is not willing to increase their offer in response.
Will Pledge reimburse the buyer if the buyer pulls out?
Any OneSearch fees will be reimbursed to the buyer if they need to pull out of their purchase for a wide range of reasons, including:
For a full list of the criteria for reimbursement and situations not covered, please click here.
Is Pledge an insurance product?
No, Pledge is a warranty add-on offered when purchasing a bundle of searches OneSearch Direct only.
OneSearch is an expert partner to conveyancing professionals, offering innovative and practical solutions to navigate the complexities and risks of the UK property market. For more information on OneSearch Pledge and what it can do for your firm and clients, please complete the contact form at the bottom of the product page or contact our team directly by email: cs@onesearchdirect.co.uk or phone: 0800 052 0117
Variations in council turnaround times, report formats, and pricing can introduce unwelcome friction into your workflow. What if you could rely on a consistent, clear, fixed-price report backed by substantial PI cover, regardless of the property’s location? It’s time to look closely at the advantages Regulated Local Authority Searches offer and how they directly address these common challenges.
Meeting the needs for consistency, clarity and reliability is the core purpose of OneSearch Prime, our flagship Regulated Local Authority Search. As the product underpinning our longstanding success, OneSearch Prime is specifically designed to overcome the inconsistencies you face.
It provides comprehensive insights presented in a clear, uniform format at a fixed price no matter the Local Authority, bringing predictability to your disbursements. Furthermore, it’s backed by £10 Million PI cover for your peace of mind and is accepted by the vast majority of UK lenders.
Let’s address a persistent myth head-on: the idea that Regulated (Personal) local searches are somehow less reliable or comprehensive than their official council counterparts is an outdated view, which fails to recognise the rigorous standards of modern, data-centric providers.
High-quality regulated searches, like OneSearch Prime, access and interpret the same core Local Authority data sources. The key difference lies in the meticulous quality control processes, enhanced data presentation for clarity, and the backing of significant professional indemnity insurance – like our £10m PI cover. Our confidence in the dependability of OneSearch Prime is built on over 30 years of specialist data handling experience, ensuring you receive accurate reports that meet lender requirements.
Here are seven reasons to choose OneSearch Prime Regulated Local Authority Searches:
Stop navigating the friction of variable search costs, inconsistent reports, and reliability concerns that can slow down your conveyancing process. OneSearch Prime provides a clear path forward: a regulated Local Authority Search meticulously designed for today’s demands. It delivers nationwide fixed pricing for budget certainty, dependable accuracy built on 30+ years of data expertise, user-friendly reports for faster analysis, robust £10m PI insurance for peace of mind, and dedicated UK-based support when you need it. It’s the smarter choice for efficient, confident conveyancing.
Take the next step towards smarter searches. Register with OneSearch to start ordering today.
As an essential component of every property deal, OneSearch Prime provides comprehensive insights into a property’s potential issues, allowing you to make informed decisions and avoid costly delays. Whether you’re handling residential or commercial transactions, OneSearch Prime is your go-to resource for accurate and reliable information.
For product cards, sample reports, or to include OneSearch Prime in your next order, click below.
We understand the world of Anti Money Laundering can seem overwhelming at times: new regulations, confusing jargon and acronyms… and that’s not forgetting keeping on top of ever-evolving fraud strategies. On top of all that, you may often find yourself explaining this to your clients as well.
To help you conquer compliance, and master your firms AML checks in 2025, we’re offering a downloadable guide packed with practical advice and best practices for conveyancers.
In our guide, you’ll learn about:
Fill in the form below to download your complimentary 2025 AML guide:
The market has been chock-a-block with activity from first time buyers for the past few months. Recent home mover activity figures are as high as 64% for the end of 2024 and again at the start of 2025, with buyers having one eye on cheaper mortgage deals, and another on the prospect of higher buying costs on the horizon.
However, the time it takes to complete isn’t improving; average turnaround times continue to creep up and up, meaning those taking their first daunting step onto the housing ladder may fall short of the deadline, especially if part of a larger chain of purchases.
This of course means talk of the dreaded F-word: Fall-throughs. Recent research suggests numbers are rising again in the UK, with an estimated 84,079 fall-throughs during the third quarter of 2024 – the highest quarterly total seen since they peaked in Q3 2022.
Within a few weeks, SDLT thresholds will revert to pre-relief levels, and many thousands will be faced with the reality of having to amend budgets, or worse, restart from square one, with one of the potential causes being the turnaround time for searches.
OneSearch Express offers the perfect solution, combining the speed of a no-search indemnity policy – created in partnership with Lloyd & White Community Broking Ltd – with the crucial insights of a comprehensive property data report, allowing conveyancers to transact typically within just 24 hours.
And this year OneSearch Express celebrates its tenth birthday, with around 25,000 orders having been placed since 2015.
Liz Jarvis, Managing Director at OneSearch, said: “We know all too well how frustrating it is when Local Authority searches drag on. This creates a huge backlog, especially when caseloads are already bursting at the seams, and it puts immense stress on clients.
“That’s why we designed OneSearch Express – to take some of that pressure off. It gets things moving quickly and efficiently, so homebuyers can settle into their new place sooner, and solicitors can get on with their next case.
“To be here ten years later, talking about how it is still a vital asset for conveyancers, is a fantastic achievement”
OneSearch Express provides cover in place of the following searches, which can often cause hold-ups in the conveyancing process:
This allows conveyancers to proceed quickly, even when time is of the essence.
John Margett, Client Relationship Manager at OneSearch, added: “OneSearch Express has been so well received over the past ten years, turning many potential fall-throughs into completions from our clients.
“The key that makes Express unique is our data, something that distinguishes us from other search companies. OneSearch are the only company to possess an extensive database of real-time Local Enquiries information, which we have been collecting over the course of 30-plus years.
“Every single piece of data is meticulously triple checked, and that’s exactly the same process for Express”
OneSearch Express is available for a selection of different sale types, including existing residential, commercial, new build, and more.
John continued: “We offer Express in instances where it makes the most sense, such as remortgages, where in many instances very little has changed since the first Local Search was carried out. House sales for new builds can be considered as well, as the typical exchange is required within 28 days.”
For solicitors navigating complex caseloads and demanding clients, delays can be incredibly costly – not just in terms of time, but also in terms of stress and client satisfaction. With a proven track record and a commitment to innovation, OneSearch Express offers a solution designed to alleviate pressure, reduce turnaround times, and ultimately, make the entire process smoother for everyone involved.
For product cards, sample reports, or to include OneSearch Express in your next order, click below.