More than half of mortgage brokers identify chasing solicitors for progress updates as their primary frustration with the conveyancing process, according to new industry polling.
The survey, conducted during a webinar hosted by One Mortgage System (OMS) and Smoove, found that 56% of brokers cited having to chase solicitors as their biggest challenge during property transactions. A further 16% highlighted delays in receiving updates from solicitors, while 14% pointed to clients not understanding their position in the process. An equal proportion cited delays in obtaining documents or responding to enquiries.
Varied approach to recommendations
The poll revealed inconsistent practices among brokers when recommending conveyancers to clients. While 25% said they made recommendations on almost every mortgage transaction and 13% on more than half of cases, 38% rarely or never recommended a conveyancer. The remaining 24% only made recommendations when specifically asked by clients.
When selecting which conveyancer to recommend, 40% of brokers cited existing relationships or panel memberships as their primary consideration, while 24% deferred to the client’s own choice. Recommendations from professional networks or lenders, speed, price, and leaving the decision entirely to clients each accounted for 12%.
The findings come as the property industry grapples with transaction efficiency issues. Similar concerns have been raised across the sector, with recent business failures highlighting operational pressures facing property professionals.
Industry response
Jodie Andrews, Head of Marketing, Sales and Partnerships at One Mortgage System, said the findings highlight different approaches brokers take to recommending conveyancers and common frustrations during the legal stage of transactions.
“Regardless of whether a broker has recommended a particular solicitor, they are often the first point of contact when clients want to know why their transaction isn’t progressing, even when the cause of the delay sits outside their control,” Andrews said.
She added that integrating conveyancing solutions into existing customer relationship management systems could help reduce duplication and simplify administration for clients.
David Burt, UK Sales Manager at Smoove, noted that the poll highlights how much time brokers spend chasing updates as property transactions progress. “Four of the seven respondents identified chasing solicitors for progress as their biggest frustration, underlining how important clear, timely communication is,” he said.
The communication challenges identified in the survey reflect broader industry concerns about transaction transparency, similar to issues affecting other property sectors including residential development financing and commercial property transactions.
Market implications
The findings suggest potential inefficiencies in the property transaction chain that could impact completion times and client satisfaction. With one in four brokers recommending conveyancers on almost every transaction, the data indicates an opportunity for more consistent referral practices across the industry.
The poll results underscore ongoing challenges in the conveyancing process that affect multiple stakeholders in property transactions, from brokers and solicitors to buyers and investors navigating the UK property market.
