The conveyancing sector is facing a perfect storm of challenges as 2025 gets up to full speed. Regulatory burdens and economic uncertainty, to the rise of AI and automation, all whilst battling clients demands and expectations; it’s a complex industry landscape, perhaps more so than ever before.
However, amongst these challenges, a spirit of resilience and proactivity is emerging. Conveyancers are taking control of the controllables; embracing innovation and seeking solutions to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
This shift in mindset is evident in the recent market research from Landmark Information Group. Over half of responders (52%) are now taking matters into their own hands by assigning workloads more effectively, while 34% are digitising more processes. Proactively sourcing new business and investing in improved training are also high on responders 2025 priorities.
What Tech Can Do For You
Understanding and integrating new technology can be a daunting task for conveyancing firms, especially with the rapid pace of recent advancements.
“Everybody’s grappling with the fact that the technological capabilities [in conveyancing] are accelerating at such a pace,” admitted Rob Steadman, Sales Director within Landmark Information Group.
“If you deploy AI today, tomorrow there’s almost like the next better version of AI to change it.”
Liz Jarvis, Managing Director of OneSearch highlights the need for dedicated education and training: “There’s an assumption by a lot of people that there’s all this information out there about tech, prop tech, and AI technology, and how it can help your firm. But actually, I don’t think that that’s fully translated into how it can be adopted.
“I think conveyancers and others doing this role, they actually need a lot more information about what that can do [for them] specifically, rather than big noise of a release of this technology. What does it mean to me and to my firm? How long will it take me? How long and what cost will it take for this to embed in my business?
“There’s the worry, what if I invest this money now? Is it obsolete in 12 months’ time?”
The feels are reflected in the market research; 62% of respondents listed the knowledge gap within their team as an aspect which has challenged progress, as well as the slow pace of change towards a digital outlook (62%).
Collaboration and Communication: Bridging the Gaps
Another key theme for 2025 is the need for improved communication and collaboration among all stakeholders in the property transaction process. Participants highlighted the frustration caused by chasing information and the lack of transparency in the system.
Liz Jarvis continued along this point: “One of the biggest frustrations and things that is wasting time really is that chasing one another through all different parts of the process whether it would be a surveyor, an estate agent, the other side of the transaction, the purchaser or the vendor.
“I wonder why it’s taken a really long time. It feels like the thing we’ve never really been able to solve is this transparency or ability to see what other people are doing, putting information in a central place where everyone can access it together instead of it being phone calls and email.”
This desire for greater transparency and collaboration points to the need for solutions that can bring all stakeholders together in a central hub, providing a single source of truth and facilitating seamless information sharing.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Bold Leadership and Continued Innovation
The recent market research from Landmark paints a picture of a sector that is facing challenges head-on, embracing innovation, and actively seeking solutions to improve efficiency and client experience. Conveyancers are taking control, demanding more from technology providers, and prioritising collaboration and communication.
Moving forward, direction and continued innovation will be crucial. As Rob Steadman emphasised, “It’s going to come down to bold leadership across the sector to be clearly heard as to what their priorities are.”
By working together, conveyancers, technology providers, and other stakeholders can create a more efficient, transparent, and client-centric property transaction process. The challenges are real, but the opportunities are even greater.
The Landmark 2024 residential conveyancing survey tells a ‘tale of two halves’. One is about hope for economic stability as we enter autumn with listings and sales volumes rising, and interest rates falling. The other is about how conveyancers are still struggling with slow transaction times, insufficient resources, and general lack of transparency. For more details, be sure to download the market research results today.
Sustainability is not just a trend; it is a fundamental shift reshaping the property sector. As climate change concerns evolve and environmental regulations tighten, conveyancers, at the business end of property transactions, are pivotal in guiding clients through all the complexities.
But how, with increasing expectations from home buyers, can small law firms adopt sustainable practices to survive and thrive?
Following the release of Landmark’s reflections and predictions sustainability guide, OneSearch Managing Director, Liz Jarvis, sat down with Landmark’s Group Sustainability Director, Chris Loaring, to discuss sustainability in the property industry and how conveyancers can adapt practices to meet new challenges and expectations.
Sustainability is no longer optional
In 2024, Landmark research showed 93% of property professionals say their clients are concerned about the future threat of climate change. They are increasingly conscious of impacts, energy costs and future-proofing their investments and want to understand flood risks and energy efficiency and how environmental considerations directly affect their property’s value.
This will only increase as the new generation of first-time buyers – typically around 40% of the market – drive conversations, inspired by social media trends and environmentally conscious awareness, and ask for more education.
They will turn to their conveyancers to guide them through the environmental issues and complexities related to their home buying – “so conveyancers need to be ready to answer questions and address those concerns” explains Liz.
At OneSearch, we see businesses that support clients with confident sustainability advice “are creating a really great opportunity for themselves,” says Liz. By moving early, building a strong supply chain, network and partners, they “find mutual value very, very quickly,” agrees Chris.
Conveyancers’ key role
Conveyancers have a crucial role to play in helping clients navigate the environmental aspects of home buying. But it’s more than that for conveyancers, who, to meet new regulations and disclosure requirements, also need to understand how climate change might affect a property’s future value and usability, considering (and explaining to clients):
- its resilience to climate change, including flood risks and extreme weather events
- future costs of meeting energy efficiency standards
- sustainable features that might affect property value
- local planning policies, environmental protection, and development restrictions
Unfortunately, the complexities of climate change analysis and demands from clients make a hard job even harder for small conveyancing law firms. “It is understandable that fear and a lack of knowledge are holding back many conveyancing practices,” says Chris Loaring.
“We know conveyancers take on a risk when they accept the responsibility to advise clients on sustainability,” explains Liz. “So, as conveyancing partners, at OneSearch, we provide accurate, reliable information, minimising that risk. We endeavour to make it easy for people to interpret, digest, and understand the information we provide.”
Landmark: leading the way with practical tools and resources
Landmark, uniquely, is involved at all stages of a property transaction, so we use our knowledge to support conveyancers and help them succeed in this evolving landscape.
“We work with agents, upfront, before a property goes on the market,” explains Chris, “then with the lenders as they prepare a mortgage offer, and finally with the conveyancer as they work through the complexities of the property transaction. We see every link in that chain.”
And to support every link in that chain, Landmark has committed to supporting the property sector in its transition to a sustainable future, sharing valuable products and services to address the growing need for sustainability expertise.
“We made the call in 2020 to set sustainability and climate change reporting as a priority, making net zero important to us as a business and to take with us the industries we partner with on the journey,” explains Chris. “We were the first property-related data business to sign up to the pledge to net zero, for example.
“But we found none of our partners really knew where to start in our shared journey to net zero – and we wanted to help. So, we spent a lot of time and effort creating a really accessible, free-to-use starter guide: a six-page document with a tangible starting place.
“Other partners already had a commitment, a pathway, and maybe a progress plan, so we can review, advise, and show them where they can improve in their journey to net zero.”
Beyond face-to-face consultation and ongoing support, we have a suite of digital platforms and software solutions that help our partners track and manage environmental compliance, so they miss nothing during the transaction. These tools can automatically flag potential issues and suggest actions, keeping high-street firms ahead of the curve and thriving.
Building a sustainable firm
Embracing sustainability is more than just meeting legal obligations; you need to future-proof your conveyancing practice. The onus is on law firms to set and implement policy, establishing a process that works for your business.
Liz continued, “We find early adopters and forward-thinking firms that champion expertise in environmental aspects of property transactions can expand the type of work they do and increase their revenue.”
Taking advice from a trusted partner is a great first step; they can tailor an approach that fits your profile and process. This is so much more than box ticking with a single product – this is an opportunity to make business sustaining changes that will drive a prosperous future, financially as well as for the planet.
Incorporating sustainability considerations into your day-to-day business enhances firm reputation and client satisfaction. Younger buyers, in particular, appreciate conveyancers who can speak knowledgeably about sustainability issues and provide practical guidance on environmental considerations.
In 2025, there will be new guidance on how to manage climate change in conveyancing. The main part, part A, focuses on your firm’s own ESG and net zero promises, while a smaller part covers climate risks in property sales.
Nonetheless, it is the smaller part B that conveyancers are talking about, as it focuses on the specific risks of climate change on property transactions and conveyancers’ legal duties of warning and disclosing – and it brings with it a barrage of questions that small legal firms are struggling to contend with. Not least whether you, as a firm, should include climate checks in every sale, none, some, or let clients choose.
“It’s really important to provide full guidance for clients who want to consider climate change in property transactions – and it’s just as important to understand what you’re offering, what it means, and how you can integrate or embed it in your workflow,” says Chris.
OneSearch is delighted to co-host a unique networking event celebrating not only International Women’s Day 2025, but also our one-year partnership with our close friends at Ladies of Law!
Located at the iconic Jam House in Birmingham, this event will present an opportunity to celebrate women in law and the incredible achievements of our community.
Join us on 6th March from 6:00 – 8:30pm as we come together to celebrate women in law and their amazing achievements. This will be an incredible opportunity to network with professionals at all stages of their careers, exchange ideas, and celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in the legal industry.
What to Expect:
- A welcome drink to kick things off
- Delicious food to enjoy
- Live music to follow if you decide to stay and keep the celebration going!
- Inspiring talks from inspiring women
Claire Slade, Business Development Manager at OneSearch said: “We are incredibly excited to celebrate International Women’s Day and our one-year partnership with Ladies of Law. This event will definitely be a massive testament to the strength and achievements of women in the legal industry, and we look forward to an evening of inspiration, connection, and celebration.”
Ella Watts, the founder of Ladies of Law, added: “We cannot wait for this networking event, which will be our first of the year, and our first in Birmingham. Any opportunity to bring together an amazing group of professionals is reason enough to celebrate, but to have it the week of International Women’s Day, as we also commemorate one year of partnering with OneSearch makes it even more special. This event will be all about recognising the incredible contributions of women in law and fostering a supportive community where we can all thrive.”
It’s going to be a magical evening, and we’d love for you to be part of it. Tickets will be limited, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Landmark’s Q4 2024 Residential Property Trends Report is now available.
This report features the latest data on residential property transactions, including listings, SSTC/SSTM figures, search orders and completions.
The data for Q4 ‘24 confirms that 2024 achieved a stable but depressed market that lagged behind pre-pandemic levels. However, the continued healthy listings supply illustrates the potential for the market to bounce back quickly should economic conditions improve.
The disparity between supply and demand continued in Q4 ‘24. Listings volumes were up 8% compared to Q4 2019 in England and Wales, while SSTC volumes were down 33%. Seller appetite remains, but affordability constraints are likely hampering progress through the pipeline.
Other key findings from Q4 ‘24 include:
- Listing volumes in England and Wales were up 8% in Q4 ‘24 vs Q4 ‘19. In Scotland, listing volumes were up 5% in Q4 ‘24 vs Q4 ‘19.
- In England and Wales, SSTC volumes in Q4 ‘24 were down 33% compared to Q4 ‘19 volumes. SSTM levels in Scotland were only down 5% in Q4 ‘24 vs Q4 ‘19.
- Completions were down 37% in England and Wales in Q4 ‘24 vs Q4 ‘19. In Scotland, completions were down just 13% in Q4 ‘24 vs Q4 ‘19.
Download your copy of the Cross Market Activity edition for England, Wales and Scotland, which includes the latest residential property market data and insights for Q4 2024.
Landmark’s next webinar: Explore property market trends and key themes for 2025
Date: Thursday 23rd January
Time: 11.30am
Duration: 45 minutes
Why Attend?
We’ll bring you the latest findings from Landmark’s property trends data, market research, interactive Q&As, and expert discussions to equip you with actionable strategies and tactics for achieving success in the sector.
In July 2024, OneSearch’s parent company, Landmark Information Group, interviewed 100 residential property solicitors and conveyancers in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Together, we asked about artificial intelligence, digital transformation, legislative changes, upfront information, and much more.
The responses shaped our new Market Research Report – ‘Residential Conveyancing: Looking ahead to 2025’ – which covers their challenges, concerns, priorities, and predictions for the coming year.
Find out what they said and download the report.
