How healthy is your residential conveyancing transaction process in 2026?
Summary
The article argues that residential conveyancing in 2026 is being shaped by a more stable market, but firms still face pressure from long transaction times, client expectations and operational inefficiencies. It highlights the growing importance of upfront information, benchmarking and process improvement, alongside government-backed reform aimed at making property information available earlier in the transaction.
Why it matters
Residential surveyors are affected because earlier and better property information can reduce delays, improve transaction certainty and change the timing and scope of information requests. The reforms and process changes described may also influence how survey findings, title issues, leasehold details and property condition information are handled within the wider home-moving chain.
Key points
- Residential market activity in England and Wales was slightly down year-on-year in Q2 2026, but remained resilient.
- Average purchase timelines remain much longer than consumer expectations, creating pressure on conveyancing teams.
- Upfront information gathering is increasingly seen as a way to reduce delays and fall-throughs.
- The government has published its response to the home buying and selling reform consultation, supporting earlier availability of property information.
- Benchmarking and reducing chasing activity are presented as key operational improvements for firms.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
