Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Summary
The article argues that proposed upfront information reforms in conveyancing will shift legal and administrative work earlier in the transaction process, making client onboarding more important. It highlights that better early information can reduce delays and fall-throughs, but also notes the operational and commercial pressures this may place on firms.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may see more demand for earlier, more structured property information and faster coordination with conveyancers before a property is marketed. This could affect inspection timing, document availability and the handling of issues such as title restrictions, leasehold matters and missing records.
Key points
- Upfront information and material information are related but not identical concepts.
- The June 2026 home buying and selling reform roadmap proposes mandatory upfront sales packs and digital property logbooks.
- Earlier information gathering could reduce transaction times and fall-throughs, but it shifts workload forward.
- Firms may need more intelligent onboarding processes for ID, AML, source of funds and title review.
- The article warns that technology can support the process, but professional judgement remains essential.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
