How Will Conveyancers Need To Adapt Post-Lockdown

Adjusting To Changes During The Covid-19 Pandemic 

What changes will be made to the conveyancing industry following the Covid-19 lockdown? 

As the government has now switched from the ‘Stay Home’ message to the rather more flexible ‘Stay Alert’ slogan, the UK is gearing up for lockdown restrictions to be eased. With schools due to open on the 1st of June, and non-essential retailers able to fling open their doors from the 15th of June, these are all clear signs that the government is prioritising the UK economy. 

It’s not yet known what the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be on the overall housing market, but one certainty is that the daily operations of individual conveyancing firms will have changed dramatically. 

Remote Working 

During the past three months, many conveyancing firms have shifted from an office environment to a remote working model. Businesses that already encouraged home working practices will have noticed less of an adjustment in this regard. They may have already been set up with the necessary technology and collaborative tools to allow conveyancers to complete their caseload at home. 

Work-Life Balance 

Those who have been strictly based in an office until now may have had considerable teething problems, particularly if they have also had to tackle home-schooling at the same time. Some conveyancers, of course, will have enjoyed the extra flexibility of being able to work at a time of day that suits them, whilst missing out on chores such as the daily commute or school run. It will be interesting, therefore, to see if conveyancers flock back to their offices or continue to adapt homeworking practices where possible. 

Adjusting The Office Layout 

With social distancing measures in place, along with an increased attentiveness to hygiene, conveyancers will need to adapt their offices to accommodate both colleagues and visiting clients. A conveyancing solicitors Essex firm explains that there will be an obligation to keep people at least 2 metres apart in reception areas. This may mean erecting screens as we’ve seen in the supermarkets, or inviting clients in one at a time. Beyond the reception area, conveyancers will also need to think about the layout of their offices to ensure that there is at least 2m between all staff as well between solicitor and client within a meeting room. Consideration should also be given to deep-cleaning areas that visitors come into contact with and whether they should be asked to bring their own pen to sign documents with. 

Financial Stability 

The legal processes required to move house within the UK are known for being laborious in comparison to other countries. Conveyancers might expect to receive money for their work up to five months after instruction. This is due in part to the length of time it takes to order searches, and obtain information forms and identification credentials. The industry should look to work together to improve processes to reduce the overall transaction time. 

This will be key to getting both the housing market moving, as well as ensuring that small firms of conveyancers are able to stay afloat as they’ll be paid quicker for completed work.