Every conveyancer knows Local Authority Searches are essential, but they aren’t all created equal.

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.

Myth-Busting: The True Reliability of Regulated Searches

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(Personal) local searches are somehow less reliable or comprehensive than their official council counterparts is an outdated view, which fails to recognise the rigorous standards of modern, data-centric providers.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.

7 Reasons Why

Here are seven reasons to choose OneSearch Prime Regulated Local Authority Searches: 

• Budget Certainty & Transparency: Enjoy a fixed price for OneSearch Prime reports nationwide. This simplifies your client quotes and eliminates cost surprises, regardless of the local authority involved.
• Unmatched Peace of Mind: Work confidently knowing every OneSearch Prime report is backed by a robust £10 million Professional Indemnity insurance policy.
• Faster Report Analysis: Save valuable time with our clear, consistent, easy-to-read layout, standardised across all local authorities and featuring a helpful upfront summary page.
• Efficient & Accurate Turnarounds: We strive for prompt report delivery to keep your transactions moving forward. Our commitment to accuracy means that while speed is important, we always perform essential checks when needed, ensuring you receive dependable and trustworthy results.
• Deep Data Expertise: Leverage over 30+ years of specialist experience in UK property data collection and interpretation for accurate, comprehensive search results you can trust.
• Streamlined Ordering Process: Improve your workflow efficiency by ordering OneSearch Prime and other essential searches through a single, user-friendly, fully supported online platform.
• Direct Access to Support: Get quick answers when you need them. Our highly trained, UK-based customer service team is available directly (8:30AM to 5:00 PM) without frustrating automated systems or long hold times.

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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.

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Landmark’s Q1 2025 Residential Property Trends Report is now available.

This report, from our parent company Landmark, features the latest data on residential property transactions, including listings, SSTC/SSTM figures, search orders and completions.

Our data for Q1 ‘25 reveals signs of a resilient market and a stable transaction pipeline emerging following the spike in completions ahead of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) reversal deadline in England and Wales. 

Completions rose by 30% over the quarter, with a 71% year-on-year surge in March alone as buyers rushed to complete. Beyond this much-anticipated bubble of activity, underlying indicators point to a more resilient property market heading into Q2.

The Scottish property market continued to hold firm, avoiding any notable market distortion following changes to Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT – the Scottish equivalent of SDLT).  

Other key findings from Q1 ‘25 include:

• Listing volumes in England and Wales were comparable to Q1 ‘24, up by just 1%. In Scotland, listing volumes were up 11% for the quarter compared to Q1 ‘24. 
• In England and Wales, SSTC volumes were down 9% compared to Q1 ‘24. Conversely, SSTM volumes in Scotland were up 9% vs Q1 ‘24. 
• Completions were up 30% in England and Wales (+71% in March alone). In Scotland, completions were up 16% compared to Q1 ‘24.

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 Q1 2025.

In 2024, we witnessed steady but consistently lower transaction volumes. That begs the question: Why don’t lower volumes mean faster transactions?

Spoiler alert: aside from some marginal variances, property transaction timescales did not vastly alter in 2024, despite reduced transaction volumes. The question is: why?   

Our parent company Landmark Information Group’s latest Property Transactions Report – entitled Why don’t lower volumes mean faster transactions? – seeks to answer that question (and more), delving into 17 years’ worth of data, with cross-market commentary from our experts.  

Major talking points covered in the report include:   

• What are the persistent bottlenecks in the home-buying process?   
• Where have timelines improved? 
• How do property transaction timescales compare to consumer expectations?  

In this report, we analyse the time taken between key transaction milestones and how they have changed over time, including: 

• Instruction to completion timescales for sales and purchases 
• Contract issued to buyer enquiries received timescales for sales 
• Instruction to mortgage offer received timescales for purchases 

Access your copy of the report by visiting this link.

On the latest episode of Landmark Talks Property, we sat down with Landmark’s Group Sustainability Director, Chris Loaring, and OneSearch Managing Director, Liz Jarvis, to discuss sustainability in conveyancing.

This conversation explores the critical role of sustainability in the real estate sector, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise from climate change reports and regulatory requirements. Chris Loaring discusses the importance of education, the need for support in navigating complex regulations, and the benefits for firms that adopt sustainable practices early. The dialogue emphasizes the evolving landscape of consumer expectations and the necessity for firms to engage with sustainability initiatives proactively.

To read the blog which accompanies this audio podcast, please click here.

To listen to more Landmark Talks Property episodes on Spotify, click here.

To find out more on Landmark’s sustainability offering, and for the opinions from experts across the property industry including Latham & Watkins, Taylor Wimpey, Savills, please visit ⁠sustainability.landmark.co.uk⁠

The state of play

The UK is once again counting down to a looming Stamp Duty deadline, evoking memories of a post-lockdown 2022 Britain.

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.

The solution

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”

What is OneSearch Express?

OneSearch Express provides cover in place of the following searches, which can often cause hold-ups in the conveyancing process:

• A full Chancel Repair Liability search
• A Search of the Local Land Charges Register form LLC1
• A Search of CON29R and/or CON29O records
• A Search of Water and Drainage records on CON29DW
• A search of the Coal Authority’s records on form CON29M
• An environmental risk assessment (excludes Commercial Express)

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.”

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The property transaction process is a complex jigsaw puzzle involving multiple pieces – conveyancers, estate agents, lenders, surveyors, and, of course, the buyers and sellers themselves. Typically, these groups have often operated in silos, with communication barriers and information gaps hindering efficiency and causing frustration for everyone involved.   

However, there’s a growing recognition that breaking down these silos and fostering a collaborative approach is crucial for streamlining transactions, reducing stress, and improving the overall experience for all involved. When asked what would make the biggest positive impact to their productivity and business success, 43% of responders to Landmark’s recent market research suggested that less chasing between stakeholders was top of their list of requests, as well as greater transactional visibility (29%). 

So, what are the first steps? Understanding the issue at hand is the first jigsaw piece.   

Silos: the unwavering obstacle in property transactions 

There are several headaches that could potentially occur when all parties involved in a property transaction work in isolation from each other: 

• Communication breakdowns: Information gets lost in translation, leading to misunderstandings, delays, and errors. Sometimes key knowledge may only be known by one person, leaving transactions susceptible to annual leave, sickness, or departures. 

• Duplication of effort: Different parties may end up requesting the same information or performing the same tasks, wasting time and resources. 

• Lack of transparency: Buyers and sellers may end up left in the dark about the progress of their transaction, leading to stress and frustration. 

• Increased risk: Without a clear overview of the entire process, potential risks and issues may be missed or addressed too late. 

Elizabeth Jarvis, Managing Director of OneSearch echoed this point in a recent industry roundtable discussion: “One of the biggest frustrations [in the industry] that is wasting time really is chasing one another through all different parts of the process.” 

“I wonder why it has taken a really long time,” Elizabeth continued, “It feels like the thing that 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 emails.” 

The recent survey highlighted these issues, with 53% of responders listing the length of time it takes to complete a transaction as the biggest frustration, with poor communication (31%) not far behind. 

The Benefits of Collaboration 

In contrast, a collaborative approach to property transactions offers numerous advantages: 

• Streamlined communication: A centralised platform or system allows for seamless information sharing between all parties, reducing delays and preventing miscommunications.   

• Increased efficiency: By working together, parties can avoid duplication of effort, optimise workflows, and accelerate the transaction process.   

• Improved transparency: Clients have a clear view of the progress of their transaction, reducing stress and building trust, without too much of a bombardment of communications. 

• Reduced risk: A collaborative approach allows for early identification and mitigation of potential risks, ensuring a smoother and more secure transaction. 

• Enhanced client satisfaction: A more efficient, transparent, and collaborative process leads to a better overall experience for buyers and sellers. 

Technology at the heart of progress 

Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating collaboration in property transactions. Digital platforms and tools can:   

• Create a central hub: Provide a single source of truth for all transaction-related information, accessible to all parties. 

• Automate tasks: Reduce manual effort and streamline workflows, freeing up time for more valuable activities. This includes checking of potentially incomplete documents, so that time isn’t wasted when this is discovered weeks after uploading. 

• Facilitate communication: Enable real-time communication and collaboration between parties, regardless of location. 

• Enhance transparency: Provide clients with online access to their transaction documents and progress updates. 

Rob Steadman, Sales Director within Landmark Information Group, who also participated in the roundtable, noted that future offerings from Landmark were placed to be an ideal solution. 

“There’s potentially new things that [Landmark] are bringing to the market, which is harnessing the power of AI. The fact that we touch across the whole property ecosystem so that gives us a really good insight into transactions” 

“We’re excited really with the position that we’re in…almost to have a vault that’s very clear, very secure.” 

The Role of Conveyancers in Driving Collaboration 

Conveyancers are uniquely positioned to champion collaboration in property transactions. They act as a central point of contact for various stakeholders and have a vested interest in ensuring a smooth and efficient process, such as:  

• Advocate for technology adoption: Encourage the use of digital platforms and tools that facilitate collaboration. 

• Promote open communication: Establish clear communication channels and protocols with other parties. 

• Educate clients: Explain the benefits of a collaborative approach and encourage client participation. 

• Build strong relationships: Foster trust and mutual understanding with estate agents, lenders, and other stakeholders. 

Breaking down silos and fostering collaboration is not just beneficial – it’s essential. By embracing technology, improving communication, and working together, all stakeholders can contribute to a more efficient, transparent, and client-centric process. 

The individuals within the conveyancing sector have a key role to play in driving this change. By championing collaboration, conveyancers can enhance their own expertise, improve client satisfaction, and contribute to a more streamlined and efficient property market.