Conveyancers warned over post-completion work

A conveyancing regulator has issued a warning over post-completion work after revealing that some conveyancers are not treating it seriously despite charging clients for the work.

Post-completion work has been added to the Council for Licensed Conveyancer’s latest ‘risk agenda’, an annual publication setting out areas of concern observed by the regulator while monitoring and supervising members.

Its 2024 agenda, published yesterday, said the CLC noted an increase in post-completion work not being done properly or at all.

The document said:

“While there may be delays at HM Land Registry, these are made worse by slow or sloppy title change applications from conveyancers.

“The data that the CLC receives from HM Land Registry on requisition rates gives cause for concern that some practices are not taking their responsibility seriously or are using HM Land Registry to check their work rather than making an effort to ensure that it is accurate to begin with.

“Some seem to treat post-completion matters as an afterthought as it is undertaken after they collect their fee.

“The reality is that clients have been charged for this work and there is an obligation to perform it promptly and with diligence.”

Taking a fee but not completing the work breaches accounts rules and demonstrates a lack of integrity, the document added.

The document went on:

“We have seen failures to respond properly to HM Land Registry requisitions lead to registrations being cancelled, a problem that may only manifest itself many years later when the owner looks to sell. 

“Ensuring registration of a transaction remains your responsibility even in the event of closing your practice.

“Professional indemnity insurers will give permission to do post-completion work following a closure, and the practice must do it.”

Kindly shared by The Law Society Gazette