Award-winning conveyancing firm, Stephensons Solicitors LLP has committed to six pledges aimed at helping to improve the home buying process for ‘frustrated’ consumers.
The law firm which has offices in Wigan, Leigh, Altrincham, Bolton, Manchester and St Helens, has made the pledges as part of its membership to the Conveyancing Association (CA).
The Conveyancing Association announced the launch of the ‘Pledges’ on December 6th. They are the conveyancing industry’s first ever set of customer service commitments going above and beyond existing regulations and accreditation schemes, which all CA members have agreed to uphold.
Tom Bridge, managing partner of the Residential Property team at Stephensons, said: “We are proud to be part of the Conveyancing Association and support the pledges. This is the first time the conveyancing market has joined together to create and a formal industry-led commitment to improving the house-buying process. We hope it will give our home moving clients added reassurance that they are receiving the best possible service.”
The pledges are:
- Quality of service - Members will provide a first rate conveyancing service to all clients, regardless of the value of the instructions
- Client satisfaction - Members will ensure that its clients are satisfied with their service by requesting and acting on client feedback
- Efficient processes - Members will work to cut out delays in the conveyancing process and take steps to ensure that transactions run as smoothly as possible
- Title and registration - Members will ensure that property is acquired with a good and marketable title and promptly registered at the Land Registry
- Combating fraud - Members will take pro-active steps to protect mortgage funds and combat mortgage and property fraud
- Mutual support and trusted community - Members will work towards a trusted community of conveyancers through mutual support and information sharing between members
Eddie Goldsmith, CA Chairman, says: “These Pledges go above and beyond the requirements of our members’ regulators and industry accreditation schemes such as the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). Importantly, they also bring licensed conveyancers who can’t use CQS into the fold, thereby bringing the whole industry of specialist conveyancers together in a groundbreaking initiative. What the Conveyancing Association adds is a culture of fairness that sets the tone for the service our members provide, whether they are dealing with a large mortgage lender, a family buying their first flat together, or a conveyancer elsewhere on the chain.
“Considerable consumer frustration during the house buying process often comes from lack of communication from conveyancers. Consumers often feel uninformed and, due to legal jargon, unclear on the legal process. These Pledges will ensure conveyancers communicate regularly and clearly with their clients.
“At the same time, the Pledges will assure lenders that transactions are promptly registered at the Land Registry with a good and marketable title, and that members will take pro-active steps to protect mortgage funds and combat mortgage and property fraud.”
The launch of the Conveyancing Pledges comes as a survey by One Poll, commissioned by the CA, finds that ninety percent of respondents said they were frustrated with the house-buying process, citing issues of excess bureaucracy, lack of information, delays and costs as their biggest bugbears.
Almost two-thirds (64%) of house-buyers experienced problems such as delays during their transaction. Of these, conveyancers were blamed for 47% of problems, with estate agents responsible for 18%, and mortgage lenders for 16%.
Stephensons’ Residential Conveyancing team is based in Leigh, Greater Manchester and acts for home movers across the country. The team was named Overall and Regional Law Firm of the Year at the 2012 LFS Conveyancing Awards, as well as being awarded the Lexcel and Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditations.
Stephensons has also implemented a service to give buyers extra peace of mind. Homebuyers Plus reimburses clients for specific costs they have incurred, if they are gazumped. For more information on Stephensons’ conveyancing service, call 01616 966 229 or email enquiries@stephensons.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Stephensons is a North West regional law firm with a national reputation and reach.
Media information Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229
E: lianne.tracey@stephensons.co.uk