Over two in five (42%) recent homebuyers have stated that conveyancing is the biggest barrier to a smooth property transaction, Lyons Bowe has found.

The solicitor firm’s latest survey of 1,000 recent homebuyers revealed that this compared to 19% of those who point to property chains.

When those who believe conveyancing is the biggest factor in slowing down the process were asked why they think this is, the most common response (23%) was slow communication between buyers’ and sellers’ conveyancers.

Almost half (49%) of recent buyers stated that conveyancers have the greatest influence over whether a property transaction progresses smoothly, while 33% said that responsibility does not sit with any single party and that a smooth transaction requires everyone involved to work together efficiently.

When asked how the process could be improved, 24% of respondents said faster responses from and between conveyancers would have made the biggest difference to the efficiency and speed of their most recent purchases.

Two in five (20%) said between communication between all parties was needed, while 17% stated having more legal and property information available upfront would have improved the process.

Managing director at Lyons Bowe, Paul Lyons, said: "Conveyancing will always involve legal complexity and depend on information coming from a number of different parties, and while this means things can take longer than buyers and sellers might hope for, it does not mean the process needs to feel opaque or unnecessarily difficult for the client.

"We believe that our customers and our business partners should have the answers to their questions before they feel the need to even ask them. This is why we give 24/7 updates through the Lyons Bowe Portal & App and twice weekly sales progression reports which reduces sales progression chasing times for our business partners.

"The survey findings show why that matters. Buying a home is stressful, especially when you’re working to a deadline. So an easy, smooth transaction is not simply about completing the legal work quickly, it is about making sure everyone involved has the information they need and that the client is kept informed throughout."

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