These commit to going above and beyond existing regulations and accreditation schemes, which all CA members have agreed to uphold.
The CA has developed the Pledges to ensure that its members provide their customers with the transparent, efficient and professional service that home-buyers expect when making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. The commitment made by all CA members to uphold them marks a significant milestone in the history of the housing market. It is the first time licensed conveyancers as well as solicitors have joined together to create and uphold a formal industry-led commitment to improving the house-buying process.
Eddie Goldsmith, CA Chairman, says:
“These Pledges go above and beyond the requirements of our members’ regulators and industry accreditation schemes such as the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). Importantly, they also bring licensed conveyancers who can’t use CQS into the fold, thereby bringing the whole industry of specialist conveyancers together in a groundbreaking initiative. What the Conveyancing Association adds is a culture of fairness that sets the tone for the service our members provide, whether they are dealing with a large mortgage lender, a family buying their first flat together, or a conveyancer elsewhere on the chain.
“Considerable consumer frustration during the house buying process often comes from lack of communication from conveyancers. Consumers often feel uninformed and, due to legal jargon, unclear on the legal process. These Pledges will ensure conveyancers communicate regularly and clearly with their clients.
“At the same time, the Pledges will assure lenders that transactions are promptly registered at the Land Registry with a good and marketable title, and that members will take pro-active steps to protect mortgage funds and combat mortgage and property fraud.”
The launch of the Conveyancing Pledges comes as a survey by One Poll, commissioned by the CA, finds that ninety percent of respondents said they were frustrated with the house-buying process, citing issues of excess bureaucracy, lack of information, delays and costs as their biggest bugbears. Almost two-thirds (64%) of house-buyers experienced problems such as delays during their transaction. Of these, conveyancers were blamed for 47% of problems, with estate agents responsible for 18%, and mortgage lenders for 16%.
