The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has welcomed the announcement by the government to digitise data within the property sector

11^th February 2025

The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has welcomed the announcement by the government to digitise data within the property sector.

The proposed changes, which aim to modernise the process by allowing information to be shared more easily, can only benefit conveyancers and consumers.

Simon Law, SLC Chair said: ‘While we welcome the new Government data project, we do not believe that this initiative alone will help to speed up transactions. There is no one silver bullet to address the current timescales that have become the norm since the pandemic. However, addressing the lack of digitisation and a joined-up sector will help with transparency and certainty. The efficient movement of data between trusted professionals can only be of benefit to all.’

The SLC believes that moving forward plans for Digital Identity, through a Digital Trust Identity framework, is a key area. The move to a trusted digital identity should allow Land Registry and Lenders to move forward in accepting digitally signed documents, without the need for a conveyancer certificate to be provided.

Simon added: The SLC will continue to engage positively with government and to be an active member of the Digital Property Market Steering Group. Whilst welcoming this announcement we will continue to push forward the need to regulate both Estates Agents and Property Management Companies and to reform leasehold; and resist any reforms that would add additional burdens to conveyancers.