Artificial intelligence use among residential conveyancers has doubled in the past year, according to new research from Landmark Information Group, signalling a rapid shift towards digitisation across one of the property market’s most traditional sectors.
The survey, published today, shows that 78% of conveyancers now use AI to support fee earners, up from 39% in 2024.
The acceleration comes as firms look for solutions to long-standing pressures around transaction speed, workload and profitability.
Slow transaction times remain the sector’s biggest frustration, cited by 42% of respondents, with faster transactions highlighted by 39% as the most important driver of productivity.
WORKLOAD MANAGEMENT
Increasingly, firms are turning to technology to tackle delays: 34% said the effective use of AI to automate routine tasks would be critical to improving productivity, while a third (33%) are prioritising better workload management and 32% are investing in digitised workflows.
The use of AI is also broadening beyond back-office administration. More than a third (38%) said they now apply AI to client-facing tasks such as preparing reports from deeds, while 28% use it to streamline general administration and 25% to route work to the most appropriate specialist.
OPERATIONAL BENEFITS
Landmark’s research suggests these investments are paying off. Most conveyancers report clear operational benefits from digitisation, with 86% saying it has improved the client experience, 83% noting better risk management and 75% reporting that automation has boosted profitability.
Technology is now seen as central to improving compliance, efficiency and service quality despite challenging market conditions.
RISK AVERSION
However, the sector continues to face barriers to further transformation. Risk aversion is the most significant obstacle, cited by 73% of firms, followed by technical issues (71%), cultural resistance to change (68%) and limited budgets (67%).
Conveyancers also point to persistent challenges in securing earlier client instruction, despite evidence that consumers may be more willing to engage earlier than firms assume.
While 92% identified client reluctance to commit or pay upfront as a barrier, separate Landmark research found that 71% of consumers would pay an upfront fee if it meant more efficient data sharing across the transaction.
REDUCING DELAYS
The findings shine a light on the need for greater industry-wide collaboration – a focus of Project 28, Landmark’s cross-sector charter aimed at reducing transaction delays and improving communication.
The initiative sets a target of 28 days from offer to exchange and advocates wider use of upfront information, early instruction and shared data standards to ease pressure on conveyancers and improve certainty for homebuyers.
EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES
Elizabeth Jarvis (main picture, inset), divisional director of Legal and Search at Landmark Information Group, said: “Conveyancers have faced enormous pressure in recent years to deliver more results more efficiently, while navigating more demanding client expectations and regulatory complexity.
“However, what this year’s findings show is that the sector is embracing the opportunities offered by new technologies at pace to not only drive outcomes, but to strengthen their overall profitability.”
“We have an opportunity to make the transaction process more efficient.”
And she added: “AI and digital solutions are no longer theoretical. They’re delivering real results in risk management, customer experience, and productivity.
“As we look ahead, the next challenge lies in overcoming the cultural and client-side barriers that continue to slow progress.
“Through initiatives like Project 28, we have an opportunity to work together to make the transaction process more efficient, improve cross-industry collaboration, and deliver the faster, more certain transactions the market needs.”
