Conveyancing distributor conveybuddy has reported a significant rise in activity in Q1 2026, with total instructions increasing by more than 50% compared to the previous quarter.
The uplift was driven by a combination of steady growth in January and February, followed by a sharp acceleration in March as market volatility prompted lenders to withdraw products and reprice deals. Brokers responded by bringing forward cases, particularly in the remortgage sector, in order to secure terms for clients ahead of changes.
According to conveybuddy, the surge does not represent entirely new demand entering the market, but rather a shift in timing, with a substantial volume of business pulled forward into March. The firm said brokers prioritised speed and certainty to protect client outcomes during a period of heightened uncertainty.
This reflects trends identified earlier in March, when the distributor recorded a spike in instructions as advisers moved quickly to lock in conveyancing services alongside mortgage deals.
Broker engagement with the platform also continued to grow, with active users rising by more than 18% over the three-month period. Conveybuddy said this increase highlights the need among intermediaries for greater control over the conveyancing process, particularly when timing is critical.
The data also pointed to a sustained preference for conveybuddy’s all-inclusive remortgage product over lenders’ free legal offerings, especially at lower price points. Most cases were concentrated below £349, suggesting brokers remain focused on delivering cost certainty and transparency for clients.
At lender level, activity was relatively evenly distributed, with Barclays and NatWest the most active during the quarter, followed by Nationwide and Santander. BM Solutions also featured prominently, reflecting brokers’ willingness to move quickly between lenders in response to pricing and cashback changes.
Harpal Singh, chief executive at conveybuddy, said: “Q1 was shaped by a very different set of dynamics compared to the end of last year. Rather than clients holding back, we saw brokers and their clients bringing decisions forward, particularly during March when it was vital they responded quickly to lenders withdrawing products and changing rates.
“What we reported in March was a clear reaction to those market movements, but what the broader quarterly data shows is the wider impact of that behaviour. A significant volume of business was effectively pulled forward, especially in the remortgage space where clients could act more quickly.
“At the same time, we’ve seen more brokers using the platform, and that’s not by chance. In periods like this, they need confidence not just in securing a rate, but in the whole legal process that follows. Getting the conveyancing right is critical if you want that case to complete on time.
“What’s been particularly noticeable is conveyancing is no longer treated as a later step. Brokers are making those decisions alongside the mortgage recommendation because they understand any delay at that stage can put the client’s position at risk.
“The continued demand for our all-inclusive remortgage options, particularly in the fact it is widely being chosen over ‘free legals’, also reflects that need for certainty. Clients want to know exactly what they are paying, and brokers want to avoid any surprises that could slow things down.
“Looking ahead, it’s possible that some of this activity would have otherwise taken place later in the year, so we may see a more uneven pattern in the months ahead. However, what remains constant is the need for a conveyancing process that can keep up with how quickly the mortgage market now moves.”
