Land Data has confirmed that Elan Technology Group will become a licensed NLIS Hub channel in October 2026, with a direct transition to Next Gen NLIS planned for March 2027. The move is intended to support more secure, streamlined access to official conveyancing search data and align with the forthcoming Land Data Trust Framework.
The article argues that residential property transactions remain too slow and prone to fall-throughs, with delays driven by avoidable friction between agents, conveyancers, lenders and other parties. It introduces the Conveyancing Improvement Collective (CIC) as a collaborative forum aimed at identifying practical process improvements rather than assigning blame.
The article explains that a title register entry referring to mines and minerals does not necessarily reveal who owns the mineral rights, what rights are attached to them, or who would be liable if ground instability occurs. It stresses the need to review historic deeds and supporting evidence, particularly where past extraction or complex liability issues may be involved.
The government and Flood Re are piloting Flood Performance Certificates (FPCs) to provide standardised information on a property’s flood risk and resilience, with a view to creating a trusted source similar to Energy Performance Certificates. Flood Re is also developing BeFloodReady into a national flood resilience platform, while the government has announced a wider flood and drought resilience taskforce and a new online flood information hub.
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers’ Risk Agenda 2026 says post-completion work, including HM Land Registry applications, must be treated as a core professional responsibility rather than an administrative task. It also highlights ongoing scrutiny of undertakings, the risks and governance issues around AI adoption, and emerging probate risks linked to inheritance tax changes and estate funding.
The Prosper UK Housing Commission has published a blueprint aimed at improving housing supply and affordability by addressing declining demand and the viability of housebuilding. It argues that rising regulatory costs, taxes and planning burdens are undermining development, and calls for reforms including a freeze on regulatory burdens, changes to section 106, and a new national planning service.
The Law Society Property Conference 2026 focused on digitalisation in conveyancing, an update to the National Conveyancing Protocol, and the government’s planned reforms to home buying and selling. Speakers also discussed the opportunities and risks of AI, alongside wider issues such as leasehold reform, HM Land Registry processes and the move away from paper-based transactions.
Industry speakers at the Digital Conveyancing Summit warned that AI adoption in conveyancing must be strategic, coordinated and supported by good data, governance and human oversight. The article highlights growing use of digital tools, but also inconsistent implementation, fraud risks and the need to avoid simply automating inefficient processes.
The article argues that identity verification alone is insufficient for assessing client and matter risk in conveyancing and wider legal onboarding. It outlines a combined approach using ID checks, AML screening, Source of Funds, Source of Wealth and formal risk assessments to create a fuller compliance picture, with reference to a digital onboarding platform from InfoTrack.
The government has launched a consultation on extending Awaab’s Law to private rented homes, with the aim of imposing legal deadlines for fixing severe damp and mould in the private sector. The proposals could also be expanded in future to temporary accommodation, supported housing and accommodation for care leavers, with the consultation open until 18 December 2026.
The article argues that the main risk from generative AI in conveyancing is not poor prose but over-reliance on fluent drafts that may omit critical title or lease issues. It says firms should not rely on blanket bans or static policies, but instead build practical human oversight and auditable checks into everyday workflows.
The Conveyancing Task Force has warned that the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s proposed COLP/COFA changes could disproportionately affect small conveyancing firms, particularly those handling higher-value transactions. The SRA has paused implementation pending further review after concerns that the thresholds and role-separation requirements may reduce consumer choice and divert work to larger providers.
